Smoking Addiction & Recovery Support Group

I forgot to say. The new group is called

'Smoking Quitters'

So if you slip and smoke one cigarette you are asked to leave the group? That seems odd to me considering how many people that have quit successfully have slipped plenty of times on their journey, especially in the early stages.

So my question is, if you slip and you are asked to leave, can you then re-join this group after you are 24 hours smoke-free again? Or are you banned for life?

I am not trying to be rude, just simply questioning the logic. Take me for example... I have received so much support in this group. Last Saturday I smoked a cigarette after 12 days of being smoke-free. The next morning I got online first thing and made a very long post about it hoping that my experience might help someone else. If I would have been asked to leave this group because I slipped up instead of receiving all of the tremendous support that I received, I would have been devastated. I personally believe that it's hard enough for people to admit if they slip, if they knew they would be asked to leave I would bet that many people would keep that a secret and I don't believe that's healthy.

Sorry Dunsmokin, and no disrespect whatsoever, but I will not be joining your group even though I do believe that I have quit once and for all. I do wish you the best and I truly hope your group inspires and supports all those that join.

Doug

I totally agree with wickworx.

I got the feeling from some members of the main group that a lot of the postings were from smokers and that they were having a problem with that.

This new group is intended for people who are not smoking. If you 'slip' you will get lots of support and help from the main 'Smoking Addiction' support group. That will always continue.

I am just trying to start a sub-group for people who have not 'slipped'.

Yes, if you start a successful quit again then you would be allowed back.

This is only an experiment. It will only work if enough people want it.

I understand if you are not interested in joining.

As I said, I will continue to be active in the main group. I just thought this might be an idea. No offence intended.

I'm sorry dunsmokin, but I kind of agree with wickworx. It sounds like a punishment to those who slip, instead of support. Would make it hard to admit one slipped.

I am a newbie, so to speak, and yes, I agree with you that sometimes reading posts from those who slip make it tempting for me to slip. Then again, I haven't caved yet. Maybe temptation is not all bad. There is always going to be temptations in our lives. We can't ever get completely away from smoking. It's everywhere. I think temptation makes us stronger. Without it, what would the challenge be? On the other hand, reading about others slips also reassure me that my feelings are normal, and I am not alone.

If I really thought the posts were going to make me smoke again, I would quit coming here.

I too, wish you the best in your new group, but I'm okay where I am. I am grateful for all of the support I have gotten here, even if it's just reading about others "slip" experiences.

Hugs to you!

Whyquit.com has a deal, you have to quit, cold turkey and be quit 72 hours before you join. I think I understand what you wanting to do, correct me if I am wrong, that is to support only the committed quitters. That would eliminate any negative comments about slipping. Tell me what the end-product will be.

You do know there are people in DS that are still smoking and giving advice, and asking for advice, it is a game with them, I think they call them Trolls. I hope your Club does well and tell us what you are trying to achieve and then we can decide whether to join you.

I just can't understand that. Why must you quit cold turkey in order to join a group like whyquit? To me that defeats the purpose of the entire notion of a support group. To me that is like telling a woman that is nine months pregnant that she can't have the baby unless she has a natural child birth. If you're ready, you're ready and some people need additional help when that time comes. I know, I know, maybe that was a poor analogy but I think it's great that this group is non-judgmental. I think it's great that someone that still smokes, and wants to quit, has a place to come and join and learn from others and get the inspiration they need and realize they can do it. And for someone that slips up to know they can get that support if they still have the desire to quit.

I guess that's why I became a member here and not on whyquit. Oh, never mind. I'm on Chantix so that wasn't an option for me anyway. :-)

Dunsmokin, please do not take any of my diatribe as disrespect as I do not mean any. I truly wish your group the best and if that is what people need then more power to them. I am all for people doing what they need to quit, whether it be cold turkey or the patch or whatever support group that works for them and their unique situation.

I will confess, when I first joined DS, I was still smoking. I had cut down by 75% but still smoking. I thought I wanted to quit, but was riding the fence, so to speak. It was the people here on DS and the posts from nonsmokers AND smokers that made me decide to do it. I certainly hope that until I quit, I was not viewed as just being here to play games. Preparing yourself and slipping ARE a part of Smoking Addiction and Recovery, aren't they?

I will also confess, reading posts from others who are still smoking does sometimes make me think, "Hm, they are still smoking, lucky them." But, it is my choice. I can join them, if I want, or I can say to myself, "They are not lucky because I can say I am on day 19 and they can't. Therefore, I am the lucky one."

It's all in the attitude.

One more thing, in regards to my most recent post. I realize that Grannie was just using whyquit as an example and I also was not trying to compare dunsmokin's initiative with whyquit. I was simply musing on the information that Grannie posted on whyquit.

I realized that my last post came off a bit terse and I apologize. I am certainly not here trying to offend anyone.

Much love, much peace!

IMO, wickworx, the reason whyquit requires new members to be nicotine-free for 72 hours prior to joining and bans a member if only one puff is taken is to jack up their success rate and prove Joel's point about quitting cold turkey. If all your members must quit cold turkey and none have slipped, then the cold turkey method you are advocating has a 100% success rate. Seems quite Orwellian to me.

dunsmokin, I believe I understand your intent in forming this group and I applaud your interest and desire to help folks stay quit.

In all honesty, the banning of slippers does rub me the wrong way, but I have chosen to do as much damage to this addiction as possible and to that end I am willing to explore possiblities. I will join your group. Again, in all honesty, my time is sometimes rather limited, so if it comes to supporting a slipper or posting to your group, I will go where I feel I will serve the highest good.

Bless your heart for your help here, dunsmokin.
Shevie