Support for Quitters

While most of us would like someone to lean on once in a while, when it comes to quitting smoking some seem to want to go it alone. While it’s true no one can quit for you, it helps to have contact with others going through the same struggles, someone who understands just how difficult quitting really is. It also helps to have someone there that can be tough with you when you’d like to pick up the habit again.

Here are some places to connect with other non-smokers and soon to be non-smokers:

 The American Cancer Society has support groups and other tools on their website, www.cancer.org. They can also be reached at 1-877-227-2345.

 Quit Smoking Journals offers a web-space at www.quitsmokingjournals.com dedicated to posting thoughts and struggles with other non-smokers.

 The National Cancer institute (www.cancer.gov) has services including free stop smoking materials, local support groups and online services that vary by state. They can be reached at 1-877-44U-QUIT. They also have live chat services found at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/smoking.

 Nicotine Anonymous offers connections to local groups and the opportunity to start your own local group at www.nicotine-anonymous.org. They also have retreats and other ways to celebrate your freedom from nicotine.

 Freedom, which is an online message board style support group by www.whyquit.org, offers a place for new non-smokers to congregate. There are requirements for membership, including being smoke free for 72 hours, but they are for good reason.

 Supportgroups.com is a web-space for non-smokers, their family members and soon to be non-smokers to get support. Go to www.supportgroups.com to start posting.

Quitting smoking is tough, but you can do it with a little help from your friends. Make the effort to connect and you could soon find yourself in the ranks of us former non-smokers.