Part 1: The AS3 family, and how we can help you and each other
Last Revised: 23 June 2008
The sublimity of wisdom is to do those things living, which are desired
when
dying.
- unknown
1. What is a FAQ?
A FAQ is a collection of Frequently Asked Questions occurring in a
particular newsgroup. The AS3 FAQ strives to inspire as well as inform.
And
we would like you to know that contrary to the custom of many other Usenet
groups, if you bring up a topic that has been discussed before, you will
not
be flamed nor "sent to the FAQ" (though it may be
recommended to you). In other words, we won't mind.
2. What is Alt.Sup****t.Stop-Smoking?
Alt.Sup****t.Stop-Smoking is a Usenet newsgroup - a public forum for
discussion of a particular topic - formed in the Spring of 1994 to sup****t
those who have quit or are planning to quit smoking or using tobacco in
other forms (e.g., dipping). The group's creator, Bob Munzenrider, formed
AS3 under the 'alt.' hierarchy because it was the most expedient way to
get
the group on the 'net. Anyone who gets something out of, and perhaps
contributes to, the group can consider themselves to be a member - there
are
no forms to fill out, dues to pay, or hazing rituals. :) Some members have
years of smoke-free time behind them; others are just beginning to think
about quitting. No matter what stage you are in, your experiences and
thoughts will help someone, and someone else's will help you.
In our newsgroup we strive to respond to every initial post made by a
newcomer. Therefore, even if you are brand-new yourself, please jump right
in and help us meet that goal. You don't have to have 10 years of freedom
from smoking to tell someone who is having a bad craving, "Hang in there,
we
are rooting for you!" In fact, the person with 3 smokeless days behind her
can be the best help to someone in their first hours of quitting; and the
one who's going through the first hours can help remind those with months
and years of smobriety behind them why they don't want to start smoking
again.
Venting one's frustrations is encouraged in this group, and you are
certainly welcome to pour your heart out. We do ask, however, that you
keep
the flames (angry or testy replies) to a minimum. Usually, prefacing a
controversial or alternate opinion with "IMO" or "IMHO" ("in my [honest]
[humble] opinion"), or qualifying with "YMMV" ("your mileage may vary") or
"in my experience ..." will keep the fur from flying.
John Diedrichs (johnd@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
) offers some words of wisdom on
the
topic of virtual communication [taken from a longer post on
Usenetiquette]:
"Communicating without misunderstandings is hard enough when you're
standing
face-to-face and speaking the same language. It's harder when you're on
the
telephone. Here in Usenet, it's almost like two tin cans tied together
with
a string. Add to that the linguistic and stylistic differences that go
with
all the different flavors of English spoken by so many around the world,
and
it makes for a very "interesting" form of communication.
"And, since we cannot *hear* your voice over Usenet, it can help if you
use
'emotional punctuations' like smileys :-) grins <g> winks ;-) and frowns
:-( in your writing. This helps to avoid misunderstandings.
"Happy quitting to all... and to all a good life!"
3. What are the basic rules of "Netiquette"?
[An excellent site for learning about Usenet, Netiquette, and the Internet
generally is Brendan Kehoe's Zen and the Art of the Internet at:
http://www.cs.indiana.edu/docproject/zen/zen-1.0_toc.html
There are a few courtesies with which posters are asked to comply
throughout
Usenet generally. They fall under the blanket term "Netiquette"
(Usenetetiquette), a simple code of behaviour which developed for
practical
reasons. Here's a quick rundown:
a. Lurking.
In most newsgroups, you are requested to "lurk" (read but not post)
around a newsgroup for a few days before joining the conversation. By
lurking, you get a feel for a group's character, its conventions, and
the people who post to it. You don't have to do this in AS3! Jump right
in and post as often and as much as you need to, BUT if you're thinking
of posting to an ongoing argument or an angry thread which seems to
focus on personalities and not on smoking/quitting issues, it might be a
good idea to hold that post aside for a day or two, before you join the
fray. In fact, the best defense is often no defense. See "Flaming,"
below.
b. Flaming.
To flame someone is to insult them, their post, their dog, etc. Flaming
someone who posts to the group in order to sell something is a
time-honoured AS3 tradition which can help you release your anger and
frustration. Go ahead! It's always open season on Composters (just be
sure that's what you've got in your sight). But it helps no one when
you flame your fellow AS3 members. Your flame will in turn get a flaming
response, a flame war ensues, and soon the "sup****t" in
"alt.sup****t.stop-smoking" goes out the window. The best way to put the
fire out is to not feed it.
c. Cross-posting
A cross-post is one that has been directed (i.e., in the To line of the
header) to more than one newsgroup. If it is necessary for you to
cross-post, then do so; if not, avoid it - it can cause trouble. Often
people don't look at the headers of posts and therefore don't realize
that you've cross-posted. Suppose you wanted to send fan mail to Will
Wheaton and you asked for his address in both rec.tv.star-trek and
alt.wesley crusher.die.die.die ? You can imagine the ensuing fireworks
caused by bringing these two groups together.
The thing to remember about a cross-post is that whenever anyone
follows-up to the thread, that post is also going to all the other
groups in the header. You can avoid this by checking the header of your
reply and deleting any groups not appropriate to your reply.
d. Quoting
It is often necessary to include some of the post to which you're
replying when you follow-up, because you'll want some context in order
for your comment to make sense. But it is seldom necessary to quote the
*entire* post. Cutting out any text you don't need saves bandwidth (what
information travels on from one computer to another) and helps the
Internet community in two ways: first, it saves your readers time (and
often money) by not making them download any more bytes than necessary;
and second, the less information crowding the bandwidth, the faster and
smoother the Internet operates for everyone.
e. Posting E-mail
IMHO, it's just plain rude to post private e-mail. If someone is sending
you aggravating, harassing, or threatening e-mail and they don't stop
when you ask them to, complain to their Internet provider. You can
usually reach someone's ISP by mailing postmaster@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>; or you
can look for the ISP's home page on the WWW, which will usually offer
links to the e-mail addresses of their staff. If that fails, contact
the staff at your own ISP and ask them to filter out that person's mail.
4. How do I access the newsgroup?
I wish I could tell you. How you access Usenet (the newsgroup branch of
the
Internet) depends upon factors such as which operating platform you use,
which software for newsreading you have, and how your Internet Service
Provider (ISP) has configured things. Most ISPs provide on-line help; try
looking there for instructions on how to subscribe to a
newsgroup. If that doesn't work, there are websites which serve as
gateways
to newgroups (remarq.com and deja.com are the two most familiar ones).
Otherwise, consult the staff at your ISP, another user at your ISP, or
your
computer guru. Don't be scared off, though - it isn't as complicated as it
sounds. :)
5. Why Alt.Sup****t.Stop-Smoking?
Posted by Ian Fraigun, August 1995:
"Joyce, you have hit exactly on why this group has seen so much success
among its posters, even those with a number of relapses before final
success. First, everyone here is going, or has recently or not so
recently
gone, through the exact same thing. Second, nobody will give you negative
judgements if you do slip or relapse, just encouragement
to get back on the wagon. Third, cussing ranting raving whining and all
those other no-no's in polite society are accepted here if it helps get
you
through the night or day or hour or minute or whatever. Last, besides the
great suggestions and helpful information, we can get to see people with
as
little willpower as we have who are succeeding, and that builds our
resolve
and determination in the tough times so we can continue on our quest. I
can
still think of at least 5 occasions where just the thought of the people
here and telling them I had slipped was the only thing that kept me from
bumming and smoking one. I might still
be where I am today but surely not without a number of slips on the path.
Nothing I have ever seen before has had the impact on me that this group
has
and I will be around for many years because I see the sup****t and kind
words
keeping me smoke-free the rest of my life."
6. I need help! Why isn't anyone answering my post?
AS3 is an unmoderated Usenet group. That means that your post goes
directly
to the group, not through another person (a "moderator"). Posts are never
screened, cancelled, or altered by anyone except the original poster.
Also,
no one on the group can control the flow of posts. But sometimes there are
problems on newsservers, and posts don't appear in a timely fa****on (or
sometimes at all). Posts generally appear on your own server before they
show on anyone else's, so don't be discouraged if your post isn't answered
right away. Another possibility is that you don't have your newsreader set
to display enough articles. If you feel panicked because you need an
answer
or just someone to moan to, e mail a
group member - any or several of us who seem like people you might want to
talk to.
7. Who runs the group?
Well, no one, in fact, and everyone. It's a self-monitored anarchy in the
fine tradition of Usenet. But there are people who handle, voluntarily,
various administrative functions. If you have a comment or would like to
know more about any of these areas, here are the people to contact:
The Webmaster of the AS3 Home Page on the WWW is:
Barry Pekilis, as3@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
WebPage Editor of the AS3 Home Page on the WWW is:
Victoria, Vic@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
of the FAQ:
Lynn Hefler, lynn.scott@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
If you would like to contribute to or comment upon the FAQ contact her
at the address above.
Anything relating to the Quit List or the Milestones List, including
requests to be added to the QL, contact:
FlatIronMike , as3quitlist@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
you would like to see the group's policy on commercial posting, link
to it through the AS3 home page.
And special thank you's go to:
Nigel Bamford
Creator and original keeper of the first AS3 WWW Home Page
Eric Stoneking
Former FAQ and COMPOST poster
Ian Fraigun
Former FAQ and COMPOST Poster and Editor
Ray Bannon
Former FAQ and COMPOST Poster and Editor
Mike "Hawkeye" Crowell
Former FAQ and COMPOST Poster and Editor
Joseph Dickerson
Former FAQ and COMPOST Poster and Editor
Bob Munzenrider
Former FAQ and COMPOST Poster and Editor
AS3 Newsgroup Organizer; our Founding Father :)
Nicole Schmitz
Former maintainer and poster of the QUIT LIST.
John Nobel
Creator and original keeper of the FAQ and the QUIT LIST
Liorah Golomb
Former maintainer and poster of the QUIT LIST and MILESTONES and
Former Editor of the FAQ and COMPOST
Paula Barrington
Former Editor of the FAQ and COMPOST
Nadav Vissel, Carol Clark, Judy Marshall, Lorraine, Susan S,
Mark ("peaceofheart") and Rosie S.,
Former maintainers and posters of the QUIT LIST and THE MILESTONES
John Diedrichs, Summer C.
WebMaster of the prior Asia Mirror Sites.
And to every AS3 member, past, present, and future.
8. Does AS3 have a political agenda?
Emphatically NOT. Our only focus is on recovering from nicotine addiction.
Though one may engage in the occasional rant, and information (from the
Tobacco BBS, for example) is always welcome, we avoid engaging in
discussions on topics such as smokers' rights, second-hand smoke, or the
relative merits of the use of or abstention from tobacco products. If
you're
looking for a heated emotional argument of such topics, there are other
newsgroups for that purpose.
9. What's the discussion like? Are you all biting each other's heads off
in a nicotine-withdrawal frenzy?
Not usually. :) Not only are we civil in general, but time and time again,
people call us the friendliest group on Usenet. We do a lot of cheering
each
other on, but we also provide information and the benefit of our
experiences. Here's a sample of a typical thread:
[Many snips throughout ....]
Bob:
"I have the impression that [people quitting] imagine that when it's
all gone, they will be over 'physical' withdrawal, whatever that means --
as
though the nicotine is causing withdrawal symptoms. Actually, I believe
the
absence of nicotine is what causes the
withdrawal symptoms, so that they never really end; it's more like you
find
a way to deal with them, until eventually you don't regard them as
nicotine
withdrawal symptoms anymore."
Nat:
"Bob, very perceptive. I think, though that we read just and find
normal/healthy coping strategies. Nicotine allows us to artificially cope
with stuff. I think many of us are developmentally impaired because of
this."
Mona:
"Hi, Bob,
"While I don't disagree with Nat, I want to express my opinion, FWIW.
"Of course, it's the nicotine ingested over time that makes us
addicted, which means our bodies are chemically dependent upon receiving
more/continued nicotine. When we quit smoking, we deprive our bodies of
the
nic they've gotten addicted to. So, in the beginning of the quit, as you
say, it's the absence of nicotine that creates the withdrawal
symptoms -- because we are addicted.
"However, for me and for many others, even the initial quitting days
are not primarily about physical withdrawal. And, even for those who
experience a hard physical withdrawal from the absence of nicotine, after
the first week or two (or whenever, it varies by the person) it's a mental
fight.
"I think that staying smober involves looking at why I smoked, what
it
'did' for me, or, rather, what I imagined it did for me. I think this is
what the 'old timers' mean by 'mentally prepare for your quit'.
"So, until and unless we re-orient our view of the cigs, we will
always
feel deprived, though it will have little or nothing to do with nicotine.
It'll have to do with having viewed the cig, for all those years we
smoked,
as a reward, as a time-out, as a 'safe distance'
mechanism, as a cool-down-from-stress vehicle, etc., etc. My experience
during the nine years I was smober was that I almost never thought about
cigs in any way remotely like I wanted one. In fact, that quit, after even
the first couple months, I was so damned proud of myself that even if the
junkie old part of myself momentarily thought it wanted a cig, I was clear
that I was very happy to be a non-smoker, and that 'urge' just went away,
nearly instantly.
"Of course, the fact I'm here, quitting again, the 13th time in my
life, is proof that on some days, nearly anyone can be unconscious or
stupid
or downhearted enough that the cig devil sees his op****tunity -- the old
junkie (me) who used the cig as emotional comfort encourages one to have
one, don't worry, you've quit all these years, you don't have to
smoke tomorrow, just let yourself have one now, when you 'need it'. HAH!
"I hope I'll never be that unsuspecting again! I hate quitting, and
love being smober, after I get through the re-orient my mind part, again."
10. When can I start posting?
You don't have to lurk until the day you quit; if you've begun to think
about quitting, you should feel free to introduce yourself and jump into
the
discussion, if you desire. It doesn't matter if you're still smoking.
Quitting is a process, not an event, and thinking about quitting is Step
1!
11. What are some of the quirky phrases and eccentricities I'll find on
AS3?
During the life of the newsgroup certain phrases and customs unique to AS3
have developed. They are, among others I may have overlooked:
Clubs, Groups, 1010ers, Septenders, Rising Spirits, etc.
Often, a few people decide to quit on the same day and they form a
subgroup of quit buddies. The first of these (in my recollection) were the
1010ers (The First Generation), a group who quit on 10 October 1994.
"Smobriety"
This term is taken from the 12-step program Nicotine Anonymous, and
refers to smoke-free existence.
"Baby Steps"
A philosophy introduced by group member Mary Jane Patterson that
encourages people to overcome the obstacles of smoking cessation one baby
step at a time. It worked for Mary Jane, who has been smober since
September
1994!
"FWD", "OF", "DOF", "VOF"
Various im****tant milestones in a person's quit. FWD is First Week Done,
frequently one of the most satisfying milestones for a quitting smoker who
previously couldn't have imagined going a day without a cigarette, much
less
a week. It also marks, especially for those quitting cold turkey, the end
of
the period with the most intense drug withdrawal symptoms. "OF" is an Old
Fogie; you become an OF upon the first anniversary of your quit. It
involves
a great deal of hooplah and signifies your admittance to the AS3 Hot Tubs
and, frequently, fabulous virtual prizes by those in the group! "DOF" is
Double Old Fogie, received on the second anniversary. "VOF" is Very Old
Fogie, signifying those who have reached their third or greater
anniversary.
Year/Month/Week/Day/Hour/Minute/Second-O-Meter
This appears after some people's signatures and measures time since
the
last cigarette smoked (or plug chewed, etc.).
For someone who had 3 weeks, 2 days, and 4 hours of smoke free time
behind them, the meter would look something like this: 3w2d4h.
Whether you keep track of your time or not is completely up to you!
Some people prefer not to.
12. Where can I get one of those nifty meters?
Not only are AS3 subscribers intelligent, witty, sympathetic and
well-informed ... they're also creative! Several meter programs designed
for
and by AS3'ers are available, free of charge - just remember to credit the
creator if you pass the meter around. You can get any of them
as instructed, or if that fails, by e-mailing the author. At minimum, the
meters calculate data such as the time you've been smober, how many
cigarettes you haven't smoked, and how much money you've saved since you
quit. Several have other features as well.
Meters can be found here:
http://www.silkquit.org
http://www.alft.net/software/sfs.shtml
http://www.quitsmokingsup****t.com/counters.htm
PALM (PDA) meter: http://tinyurl.com/hv5o
(or search at http://www.palmgear.com
for "pufffree")
Since the SilkQuit link doesn't offer any Mac meters, people sometimes ask
for them, so here's a more comprehensive list of links to meters for a
variety of platforms -- Windows, Mac, and Web-based (Perl & JavaScript)
meters -- plus a link to the SilkQuit site):
http://quitsmoking.about.com/cs/quitmeters/
http://clbe.net/smobometer.htm
(an online quit meter)
PERL script and/or web based meter: http://www.quitmeter.com/
JavaScript: http://www.angelfire.com/ak/jcvdwalt/quit/quit.html
Links for Mac meters (both are Hypercard stacks):
Hyperquit: http://www.casema.net/~smak/
Quitometer: http://www.svmac.com/Pages/sw.html#qt
To download Hypercard from Apple's site: http://tinyurl.com/2rvlx
Command-line timer for Linux: http://www.stack.nl/~martijnb/smoketimer.tgz
13. How can I tell if I'm addicted and what does it take to become
addicted?
The World Health Organization uses these guidelines to diagnose nicotine
dependence:
ICD-10 copyright =A9 1992 by World Health Organization. Internet Mental
Health (www.mentalhealth.com) copyright =A9 1995-1996 by Phillip W. Long,
M.D.
A definite diagnosis of dependence should usually be made only if three or
more of the following have been experienced or exhibited at some time
during the previous year:
a. a strong desire or sense of compulsion to take tobacco;
b. difficulties in controlling tobacco-taking behaviour in terms of its
onset, termination, or levels of use;
c. a physiological withdrawal state when tobacco use has ceased or been
reduced, as evidenced by: the characteristic withdrawal; syndrome for
tobacco; or use of the same (or a closely related) substance with the
intention of relieving or avoiding withdrawal symptoms;
d. evidence of tolerance, such that increased doses of tobacco are
required in order to achieve effects originally produced by lower doses;
e. progressive neglect of alternative pleasures or interests because of
tobacco use, increased amount of time necessary to obtain or take the
substance or to recover from its effects;
f. persisting with tobacco use despite clear evidence of overtly harmful
consequences, such as depressive mood states consequent to periods of
heavy
substance use, or drug-related impairment of cognitive functioning;
efforts
should be made to determine that the user was actually, or could be
expected
to be, aware of the nature and extent of the harm.
According to studies, addiction can be instituted very easily:
"The Nicotine Addiction Trap: A 40-year sentence for four cigarettes" can
be found in British Journal of Addiction 1990 (85), 293-300, M.A.H.
Russell.)
What this study boils down to is statistics that point to this conclusion:
Addiction is likely to occur in 3 out of 4 smokers, who will still be
smoking 40 years later, after smoking 4 cigarettes no further than 1 week
apart, up to 100 cigarettes, at which addictive "need" has
occurred--that is, need occurs between 4 and 100 smoked.
The first four cigarettes break down the typical physical revulsion and
physically prepare the stage for addiction to occur.(There apparently
some-very, very small number-- who are seemingly addiction resistant,
probably to anything) So it is NOT how long one smokes--it's
a matter of numbers, a matter of "hits" when the invisible line is
crossed,
and 100 cigarettes are the maximum number needed, and incredibly, as few
as
four.
One can see how valuable this knowledge was to Tobacco when their own
behavioral scientists discovered this--we know from the Viking Project
Sixteen in Canada of 16-year olds, that the criteria for the teen
participating in this study was that they smoke at least 4 cigs a day. So
between these studies, we can see it happens fast, and giving free samples
is all but a guarantee of the sought-after and desired addiction, and the
younger the better.
14. When I quit, will I be a NON- or an EX-smoker?
Whether you call yourself a non-smoker or an ex-smoker is entirely up to
you - but you'll probably have a preference. This matter of nomenclature
is
a surprisingly emotional issue! Some people use "ex-smoker" to remind them
that they are only "a puff away from a pack a day," or to remind the world
of what they have overcome. Others feel that the more they can act like a
person who has never had the smoking habit, the more likely they are to be
a
person who never returns to that habit, and they designate themselves "non
smokers." Throughout this FAQ, when referring to a person who once smoked
and no longer does, I generally use "non-/ex-smoker," or if I use one and
not the other, that should not be taken as being preferential.
15. What is the Quit List?
The Quit List is a list of members' names, e-mail addresses, and dates of
quitting. It is posted to AS3 weekly by FlatIronMike at:
as3quitlist@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
The list serves as a group directory, and also
gives many people a sense of commitment, accountability, and joy as they
see
newer quitters join the list, pu****ng their entry down. There is no
obligation to be included on the list. But if you want to be, ask the
current maintainer of the QL, to put you on whenever you feel ready:
before
your quit date, once you've established one; the week of your quit date;
or
at any point afterwards. Mike is also the person to contact when your
information changes. To guarantee that he sees your requests and updates,
contact him by e-mail rather than via the group. Also, please do not ask
to
have someone added to the list without their consent; this has been known
to
backfire.
16. What is the Milestones List?
The Milestones List honours, each week, those members who will be
achieving
smoke-free monthly milestones by announcing their names and smoke-free
time.
(That's calendar month, not each quitter's 4 weeks - that would be too
burdensome to keep track of.) It is also maintained and posted by
FlatIronMike at: as3quitlist@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
The Milestones are taken from the
Quit List; therefore, you must be on the QL in order to appear on the ML.
17. What is the AS3 COMPOST ?
The "COMPOST" is the AS3 newsgroup's Policy On Commercial Posting. The
policy, posted each week along with this FAQ, clearly states the AS3
policy
AGAINST making commercial posts to this SUP****T newsgroup, and warns of
the
consequences of doing so. "Commercial" is defined very broadly.
It is fascinating to watch "the friendliest group on the 'Net" turn into a
bunch of profane, rabid attack beasts when we catch the scent of a
"composter."
18. Where can I find the AS3 WWW homepage?
You've probably already found it! But in case you found this FAQ from the
newsgroup:
AS3 now has a mirror site in Europe, so access the one most convenient to
you. Here is the URL:
* http://www.swen.uwaterloo.ca/~bpekilis/as3/as3.html
(Canada)
19. What archived material compiled by the AS3 newsgroup can I get free of
charge?
The AS3 Archive contains classic posts, most of which originally appeared
on
the AS3 newsgroup. It is available from the website, and has grown so
large
that we no longer list each title in the FAQ. However, these are the
categories into which they've been divided, to give you an idea of what
you
can find in the Archive:
* AS3 Most Memorable Posts
* The Father Don Collection
* The Carolina Collection
* AS3 Poems Collection
* AS3 Quotes Collection
* Self-Help Collection
* Science Posts
* Press Releases
* Cigarette Company Mentality
Also, Google Groups now archives most, if not all posts ever made to AS3.
After some experimenting, the archive searching should be straighforward.
Archived posts to AS3 can be found here:
http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&group=alt.sup****t.stop-smoking
20. Are there other related groups or information sources?
There are now numerous resources available on the WWW dealing with every
aspect of tobacco use and addiction. In no particular order, some great
places to start:
LIVE-ISH
You can chat in real time with AS3 folks at pretty much any hour of the
day
or night, 365 days a year, thanks to the wonders of I(nternet) R(elay)
C(hat). Because these chats move around from time to time, it would be
impossible for me to keep the FAQ current with the correct channels, but
there is a posting weekly of FAQ's for IRC which provides information on
where to chat. Look for the one posted along with these FAQ's during each
weekend.
For complete information on IRCs generally, see
http://www.rahul.net/dholmes/irc/
A popular chat program for Windows is Trillian. BinnieBee has written a
step-by-step tutorial for Trillian downloading and use to get you started.
http://www.graphic-empire.com/binnie/
OTHER NEWSGROUPS:
A smaller Newsgroup with some of the same posters as AS3 can be found
at
alt.quit.smoking.sup****t. This newsgroup has a weekly posting where you
can
post your Quit.
Very recently, the Usenet group alt.recovery.nicotine was formed. If
you're interested in the 12 Steps method of recovery, you may find this
group works very well in conjunction with AS3. Some information from the
group's Charter:
Purpose: To provide a place for people to share their experience,
strength, and hope concerning recovery from addiction to nicotine. To
provide a forum for the submission of articles, stories, and inquiries
dealing with nicotine addiction and recovery.
Posts of the following types are expected:
* Questions concerning nicotine addiction and recovery.
* Announcements of conferences, gatherings, new meetings, etc.
* Experiences related to quitting the use of nicotine.
* Success stories from those who have quit.
* Concerns related to quitting.
* News from Nicotine Anonymous groups around the world.
For more information, contact the proponent of alt.recovery.nicotine:
Bill P. <peco@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
WEBSITES
This is just to get you started. Visit the AS3 WWW page for more links to
health, addiction, and related sites
THE VIRTUAL OFFICE OF THE U.S SURGEON GENERAL includes newly released
(6/2000) guidelines on smoking cessation as well as interviews. Many of
the
do***ents are available as PDF (Adobe Acrobat Reader) files which can be
downloaded and printed:
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/
STOP SMOKING NOW -
http://www..homestead.com/markjordan/stopsmokinga.html
An online self-help book.
KICK THE HABIT - http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/kth/habitkicker.shtml
The BBC's stop smoking website. Lots of info and an addiction game...kind
of
the British version of the Nicodemon. Nice interface. Miss Maggie would
approve...
THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL "TIPS" (Tobacco Information and Prevention
Source." - http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/
TOBACCO BBS - NEWS AND RESOURCES - http://www.tobacco.org/
The granddaddy
of
hard-news information resources, garnered from the media, medical
journals,
and other (fairly) respectable sources. Centred mostly around U.S. news
and
politics, but trying to expand its geographic focus. The place to look to
keep up with the action in Wa****ngton, D.C. Also contains excellent
links.
ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH (ASH) HOME SITE - http://ash.org/
In their concise words, "a [U.S.] national organization devoted
solely
to the problems of smoking and to protecting nonsmokers' rights." Good
information on lobbying efforts in particular, and samples from their
bimonthly newsletter; but be aware, this is a lobbyist group, and they
require a contribution of $15US or more for much of their information.
Considering how much more spending power the tobacco lobbyists have, you
may
decide it's worth contributing the savings of your first unpurchased
carton
of cigarettes.
SELF-HELP & PSYCHOLOGY MAGAZINE has a peer discussion forum including the
topic Nicotine. The forum is located at
http://www.shpm.com/phorum/index.php3
SMOKING FROM ALL SIDES - http://www.cs.brown.edu/people/lsh/smoking.html
Many more items on the side of ceasing tobacco use, than there are in
favor
of using it. Smoking, dipping, etc. are becoming very difficult practices
to
defend.
SELF-HELP PSYCHOLOGY MAGAZINE (formerly Practical Psychology Magazine) -
http://cybertowers.com/selfhelp/
An online general psychology publication dedicated to the art of living
well - off the net. They carry various types of information and services,
which include a full department on Addictions (including nicotine).
Articles
are posted monthly in an easily-read, "how-to"
format. Your feedback is strongly encouraged.
ALT.SUP****T.STOP-SMOKING WEB PAGE -
http://www.swen.uwaterloo.ca/~bpekilis/as3
The home page of "the friendliest group on the net.":)
BUD ELLIS' Homepage - http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/6100/
Bud Ellis was a special contributor to the AS3 newsgroup and IRC channel
until his death on August 23, 1998. His site contains much room for hope
and
a lot of room for reality.
"HE WANTED YOU TO KNOW" -
http://www.sptimes.com/News/61599/Floridian%20copy/He_wanted_you_to_know.shtml
This page is part of the St Petersburg, Florida Times online containing
the
truly tragic story of a 33 year old young man who died of lung and liver
cancer two months after his diagnosis. Not for the squeamish, this may
provide some encouragement in your quit; a little aversion therapy can go
a
long way.
QUITSMOKINGSUP****T.COM
http://www.quitsmokingsup****t.com
A veritable clearing house of information on quitting smoking. External
websites, tons of information (including an article by "our own" Bud
Ellis,
links to commercial smoking cessation programs, etc.
OFF THE WWW:
NOSMOKE is an e-mail list, meaning, the discussion comes to your mailbox
rather than to a Usenet group, and is not presented in public as Usenet
is.
Nosmoke describes itself as a list that is for sup****t to people who want
to
quit smoking cigarettes, cigars or stop using smokeless tobacco products.
It
is for people who want to quit, are already quit, or anyone
sup****ting a significant other who would like to quit. It says "Note that
we can't make you quit, or offer any "magic pills" that will. We just
sup****t one another in our efforts to quit and stay quit. If you are just
curious about smokers, this is NOT the list for you!"
TO JOIN go to www.egroups.com and search for "nosmoke", click on the name
to
go to the web page and subscribe there - you can also contact the
listowner
at the address there if you have further questions.
http://www.onelist.com/community/nosmoke
21. Can you recommend any books on quitting smoking?
The bulk of this brief bibliography is courtesy of Pete Dako. If you can
recommend others, particularly in languages other than English, please
e-mail liorah@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
PLEASE NOTE (and I can't overemphasize this): these
recommendations
fulfill the requirements of the Compost in every way: they are available
through libraries and from bookshops, and no one in the group profits from
their use or sale. It is acceptable to recommend a published title that
fits
these requirements; it is not acceptable to advertise one's own book, or
to
advertise on behalf of an associate.
* Riley, Gillian. How to stop smoking and stay stopped for good
(London:
Vermilion, c1992). 144 pp.
* Holmes, Peter, and Peggy Holmes. Out of the ashes: help for people
who
have stopped smoking. (Minneapolis, Minn.: Deaconess Press, 1992). 280 p.
* Farquhar, John W. and Gene A.Spiller. The last puff: ex smokers share
the secrets of their success. (New York : W.W. Norton, 1990.)
*Rustin, Terry A., M.D. Keep Quit! A Motivational Guide to a Life Without
Smoking. (Hazeldon, 1996)
* Rogers, Jacquelyn, You can stop smoking. (Pocket Books, 1995). 304 pp.
*Carr, Allen. The Easy Way To Stop Smoking (Penguin, 1987)
..
*Carr, Allen. The Only Way To Stop Smoking Permanently (Penguin, 1995).
Deals with other drug addictions as well as nicotine addiction.
[from Pete Dako]
In addition to those books, once I'd gone through early withdrawal I
found books with more political focus about the tobacco industry really
motivated me to never start smoking again.
Specifically: Merchants of Death: The American Tobacco Industry, 1988 by
Larry C. White
The Cigarette Underworld, 1985, edited by Alan Blum M.D.
Gilded Leaf : Triumph, Tragedy, and Tobacco : Three Generations of the RJ
Reynolds Family and Fortune by Patrick Reynolds, Tom Shachtman, 1989
Smokescreen : The Truth Behind the Tobacco Industry Cover-Up by Philip J.
Hilts. 1996.
Hooked But Not Helpless by Patricia Allison
Happy Reading!
22. Is there anything fun about quitting smoking?
Sure! You'll be among a wonderful and varied group of people, many with a
great sense of humour. Here's a sample:
Smoking quotes contributed by "Father Don" <dcuster@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>:
I phoned my dad to tell him I had stopped smoking. He called me a
quitter.
- Steven Pearl
OF COURSE I'm your friend, Albert - An' I'll STILL be your friend
even
if you KEEP ON smokin'... Jes' not for as LONG is all...
- Pogo, "Walt Kelley's Pogo" strip (Doyle and Sternecky)
Quitting smoking is easy, I've done it hundreds of times.
- Mark Twain
I have seen many a man turn his gold into smoke, but you are the first
who
has turned smoke into gold.
- Queen Elizabeth I to Sir Walter Raleigh
I'll tell you why I like the cigarette business. It cost a penny to
make. Sell it for a dollar. It's addictive. And there's a fantastic brand
loyalty.
- Warren Buffett, new head of Salomon Brothers investment firm.
What did you answer when you very first died and that angel asked you if
you preferred smoking or non-smoking?
- Man in Hell to another, "Bizarro" cartoon by Dan Piraro
Thoughts to close the Alt.Sup****t.Stop-Smoking FAQ, Part 1:
"Cigarettes bring tem****ary relief of the
symptoms caused by the use of cigarettes."
- Unknown; posted by Carolina Johnson
"Smoking is a chronic disease and quitting is a process.
Relapse and remission are part of the process. As long as you're
continuing
to make progress toward the ultimate goal of being smoke-free, you should
feel good about your achievement."
- Psychology Today Magazine.
Please go on to Part 2.
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