Their web page, however, led me to the increasingly popular world of online support. Ex-smokers who have access to the Internet no longer have to fight the good fight on their own. My personal favorite, however, is the bulletin board. Given the fact that the Internet is a global institution, this form of support is generally not limited by time of day or one's individual schedule. Support, comfort and reassurance in the form of a written reply is usually only minutes away once a call for help is posted.
Compassion is the key to success in online support groups.
It is the fellow addict who understands best what you're going through and as a member of the group you will soon learn why it is important to accept the help and support that is offered freely. Time and time again new quitters are amazed at the outpouring of help and support by total strangers. The mechanics of the support group are cyclical in nature. After some early hesitant inquiries, the new member quickly realizes that these people are serious about helping and accepts help without encumbrance. It doesn't take long for the new member to feel comfortable enough to open up and share his own personal experience.