There are many features on this site that many new members don't know about so I figured a page to show what everything does will make navigating the site much easier. I will list all categories and what they do as well how to edit your profile.
Black Menu Bar - The black bar at the very top of the screen is used to sign in, view your account, see your buddies online and to see which "Chatters" are online. Chatters are members that chose the available for chat option when they signed in. This allows other members to know who is willing to go into member chat to communicate.
Home Button - This simply takes you back to the home page
My Account Button - On this page, the first thing you will see is your "Chat Status" option. Choose from the drop down menu if you would like to be available for member chat. This allows others to see that you are one of the "Chatters Online" which is listed in the black bar at the very top of the site. In your account page you will see how many times your profile has been viewed by others. It will also show you what's new since the last time you logged in. It will show you any questions/answers that have been posted, any confessions written, news articles or creative corner writings. These will all be displayed with a link you can click on to see the list of everything new. Once you view the questions and go back to "My Account", the ones you viewed are removed. You can always choose the "Clear" button to clear all posts, so it will start over again when you log out. If you hit clear, it marks all the new items as read and they will not show again until a new post is written under any of those questions. So if you see a same question come back up under what's new, it's because someone has written another answer that you have not yet viewed.
This section is also where you will find many of your features and options about your account and profile. After logging into your account and you hit the MY ACCOUNT button, scroll down and on the left you will see a new set of links under a heading called MY PROFILE. You will see the following options under that list.
Ask An Addict Button - This is where you go to see all the questions asked. You can search questions with the different search options or you can choose to simply view all questions. Once you see a question that interest you, simply click on it to read the full question and to view all answers or to leave an answer yourself.
In The News Button - This is where you can find the latest articles about addictions in the news. Whether it's news on drunk driving, research or statistics.
Confession Button - This is the place to get it all out! Tell us what's on your mind. What's the worst thing you've done for your addiction? What's the worst thing that's happened to you because of your addiction? How have you been affected because of someone else's addiction? How has your life as an addict affected the ones you love? Reading and writing these confessions help us realize the impact that the addictions have over all of us. When posting your confession, you can choose to remain anonymous or let others see your profile name as to bring about discussions.
Creative Corner - Let your mind run wild. This is for all of you to be able to write and let others see your thoughts, your concerns, your insecurities, your hopes or your dreams. Write a poem, a letter to your addiction or to the loved ones you've hurt. Write that letter to the addict in your life. It's up to you! Soon you will also have the ability to upload your artwork and songs that you've created. You can choose to remain anonymous.
Members Button - This is where you go to search for a member, to see who's online now and other search options. Members currently online will have a red ONLINE NOW under their avatar picture.
Member Chat Button - This section allows members to all go in one room where you can see who's in the room with you. You simply type in your questions or comments and hit the Enter button and it instantly shows for everyone to see who's in the room. This is great for people wanting to get instant support or answers to their questions right away. Everyone is welcome at all times. You do not have to chat. You can simply come in and just observe. If someone ask you a question, just tell them you would like to just watch and not take part at the moment. Chat is always open and you can join at anytime. If no-one is in the rooms then you can message someone to meet you there. There are certain times where we try to have someone in chat every night in case members want to chat. This time is 8:00 pm Eastern time or 5:00 pm Pacific time every night of the week. There are currently two rooms. General Chat is for everyone. Big Ron's Chat Room is for members that don't feel comfortable talking with multiple people at one time and would prefer to talk one on one. Big Ron has been one of the most active members for chat and that's why the room name. If you would like your own chat room with your name that you will use on a regular basis, send me a message and I will create one for you. Send your request to me at AskAnAddict. We would like to get as many people as possible using chat because it allows us to help so many people so quickly.
The 12 Steps Button - The 12 steps of AA, the 12 Traditions of AA as well as The AA Promises.
Type Of Drug Addictions Button - Where you can go to see a list of the most commonly used drugs. It gives a brief description, it's effects and statistics and trends.
Useful Links Button - Where you can see links to other sites of interest such as D.A.R.E., Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
About Us Button - This tells you about the site and what it's intended to be used for.
Contact Us Button - Where you can send a message to the administrator with comments, ideas, concerns or questions.
Donations Button - Donations will be used to pay server fees, future upgrades and advertising to get the word out to help as many addicts and people affected by addicts that we can!
Advertise Button - For companies that would like to advertise on www.askanaddict.com, they may contact us with this button.
Other Options and Features not listed above - When you see under a members avatar picture the words ONLINE NOW in red writing, that member is currently viewing the site. For those members, you will see a little person icon right beside the red ONLINE NOW. You can click on that to start an instant message chat with that member.
When you click on a member's name or avatar, it will take you to that member's profile where you can get more information about them. You can see where they live if they used the map feature, you can read what they wrote about themselves, you can see their addictions or how they've been affected by addicts and you can see their friends list. You also have the option to leave a comments in that person's profile. When your looking at a member's profile, underneath the avatar you will see a Member Info section. Here you can view that person's photo albums, message that member, add that member as a friend, leave a comment or thank that member.
Thanks/Thanked - You will see the option to thank a member for a post, comment or any writings they leave. You can only thank a member once for each post. You will also see under the members avatar how many times they have been thanked. Members cannot thank themselves.
This information should answer many questions and I hope you find it useful. If you have any questions on how to use certain features of the site please send a message to AskAnAddict.
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