Copyright © 2024 Nicotine Anonymous World Services

This is Conference-approved literature

Nicotine Anonymous (NicA) recognizes we have some members who have an addiction to nicotine and other mental health concerns that may create additional challenges to a member’s recovery. Nicotine Dependence is recognized as a medical condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V) of the American Psychiatric Association (National Institute of Health, 2012). The inclusion of this citation does not represent an endorsement of this Association by Nicotine Anonymous.

Our Third Tradition states: “The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using nicotine. Our Preamble concludes with: “Our primary purpose is to offer support to those who are trying to gain freedom from nicotine.”

This pamphlet is for all members and includes what some members, who have mental health concerns, have shared about their experience and what they have learned through their own recovery process.

This pamphlet is for all members in support of each other’s mutual effort to gain and maintain freedom from nicotine. It was written with the assistance of members who have an addiction to nicotine and another mental health condition.

We understand that our personal recovery depends on unity, and our common welfare is essential to our fellowship.

Our members are guided by the Twelve Steps of Nicotine Anonymous, which allow them to successfully steer the treacherous curves of craving, emotionality, turmoil, and unmanageability.

Members have said, “I love to smoke” while completely ignoring or minimizing the consequences of this toxic relationship. We ignore or avoid learning how nicotine manipulates brain chemistry to create this “love illusion.”

Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that causes its compulsive use. Members who have experienced depression, anxiety, or have other mental health concerns share how challenging it can be to stop smoking, vaping, chewing, or using nicotine in any form. These members have shared they have a high rate of nicotine use, and have come to understand this could lead to more harm to their overall health.

Members have also said the financial consequences of nicotine addiction may prevent them from being able to afford basic necessities.

A member’s nicotine addiction may strain the relationships with family, friends, and/or caregivers.

Members in recovery share that they may have unknowingly used nicotine in an attempt to self-medicate, e.g., to change or avoid an emotion. Some members realize that nicotine use may create temporary sensations of pleasure or relief. When nicotine levels drop, some members may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms such as “cravings.” Cravings occur for more nicotine until the next dose of nicotine, which leads to withdrawal and the next craving. This addiction keeps nicotine users caught in a perpetual cycle of craving, use, craving, use.

Members have shared how nicotine affected their thinking and influenced their perception. These members became conditioned to these powerful effects and ignored the serious physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences of this addiction.

Having the support of others is very important to help ease the effects of the withdrawal symptoms. By reading our literature and listening to fellow members, we learn as a group to distinguish between what is true and what is distorted thinking about nicotine.

Members with mental health concerns may contact their doctor or a mental health professional of their choice. These professionals may provide treatments and could have skills useful in conjunction with the recovery work all members do in Nicotine Anonymous. Each member decides for themselves what resources would be helpful.

Nicotine Anonymous is a fellowship of mutual support and a program based on universal spiritual principles. Each member can come to believe in their own Power greater than themselves as a source of care. Members of a group offer each other compassion and understanding throughout the recovery process. A sponsor offers additional support and guidance to practice the Twelve Steps of Nicotine Anonymous.

Members at Nicotine Anonymous meetings are guided to create a safe place where we do not judge, criticize, or offer unsolicited advice to one another. Members focus on sharing their experience, strength, and hope as they relate to their recovery from nicotine use. We hear how others also use the program’s five Tools- meetings, literature, group contact list, service, and sponsorship-- to help them develop the ability to manage cravings to gain and maintain freedom from nicotine use. Practice makes progress.

This program has helped many members, including those with an addiction to nicotine and co-existing mental health concerns. Nicotine Anonymous makes no claim to be able to address every member’s needs, but we offer a 12-Step program that has helped members recover from nicotine addiction and make positive changes in their lives.

Our experience is that those who keep attending meetings keep progressing in their own recovery process. Nicotine Anonymous is a gentle program that each member can take at their own pace. This fellowship offers the hope that living without nicotine is possible

We encourage members to use the five Tools to avoid a relapse. However, it is not unusual for some members to relapse and pick up nicotine rather than pick up a phone to call another member when tempted to use nicotine. After a relapse, there can be a tendency to feel shame and not want to come back to the next meeting. But, that is when attending a meeting is so important. Remember, members do not criticize—our purpose is to offer support and compassion. We all want to do the next right thing and move forward in our recovery—one day at a time.

It is important to Keep Showing Up (slogan) at meetings. We suggest reading our pamphlets such as “To the Newcomer and Sponsorship,” “HOW Nicotine Anonymous Works,” “Tips for Gaining Freedom from Nicotine,” “The Program and The Tools,” and “The Serenity Prayer for Nicotine Users.” New members come to realize we do not need to struggle alone. We believe in our slogan, Together We Change.

General Guidelines at NicA Meetings

• Members do not smoke, vape, or chew tobacco during a meeting.

• We keep our shares within the group’s time limit.

• We stay focused on issues related to our recovery from nicotine use.

• Before or after a meeting, members can ask questions, or seek guidance about appropriate behavior during meetings.

• We accept no one is perfect, and practice tolerance with others and ourselves.

• It is essential that meetings are a safe place for all its members.

• Letting go of nicotine can bring up strong emotions. Members are considerate of how we express them at meetings.

• Sponsors and group contact lists are other options members use to discuss personal concerns. Members consider who may be better able to support their recovery.

• The reference to God in the Twelve Steps conveys one of the concepts the fellowship uses for involving a Power greater than ourselves in our recovery. See the pamphlet, “Our Policy of Openness: Our Higher Power As We Each May Come to Understand.”

Welcome to Nicotine Anonymous