Who needs Allen Carr?

[nsd_user663_26699]

It has been said that many people who quit using Allen Carr's "Easyway" method didn't really need to read his book in the first place.

What's your opinion?

Alex.

[nsd_user663_22999]

I read the book and did the group session thing about 5 years ago. I mananged to drive from the clinic to home (2 hours) without a cigarette and then...!!!

The book irritated me so much I ended up writing rude comments in the margin!

Neither worked for me but I suspect that's more about me than the book/clinic. I react very very badly to be told what to do and how to think.

Frankly anything that works for someone (even if it's actually a placebo) is worthwhile.

[nsd_user663_26598]

It worked for me ..

Well I tried many times to quit with various methods and nothing really worked .. for me the book worked like a charm ... so I don't know .. it is a strong NLP based book so I am sure this is why it works for a lot of people ... but having done a lot of other NLP seminars on other subjects ... I know that NLP does not work for everyone ...

[CamperPete]

It has been said that many people who quit using Allen Carr's "Easyway" method didn't really need to read his book in the first place.

Hmmm, dunno Alex, it sounds a bit like it's saying "I passed my driving test but didn't need the instructor as it was me that passed" :rolleyes:

How can they state that they "didn't really need to read his book in the first place" when they've quit having read it, they didn't quit by not reading it:eek::rolleyes:

[nsd_user663_14114]

I quit using Allen Carr, and i wasnt even 100% sure that i wanted to quit!

I found his book fantastic! It told me all the stuff that i already knew- so i cant explain why or how it worked..i dont care. It worked and i havent had a ciggie in 9 and a half months.

[nsd_user663_7469]

I didn't quit by using Allen Carr but my Son and Daughter in Law both read it and quit smoking (2 years for them now) I know someone who went to a medium and she said he would quit in the next month and he did and has been quit for over 4 years now, whose to judge whether it’s the way to go or not but so long as the method you choose for whatever quit 1st 2cnd 3rd 4th etc as long as you can manage to stay quit then it works for you, maybe its mind over matter, but the aim is to become a none smoker and for many that’s what it does, I don’t even think it comes down to money as if you choose to pay for assistance to quit and it works then it’s money well spent.

Whatever route you choose I hope it works and I wouldn’t knock any of the courses you can follow so long as the outcome is the same, smoke free.

[nsd_user663_28220]

I quit whilst reading Carr's 'Easyway' a few years ago, only to start again in a weak moment around 8 months later. Fantastic book and other than willpower, the cheapest method! It's cleverly written - repetitive for all the right reasons - but it wouldn't be to everyone's tastes.

I'm quitting again tomorrow. I'm on day 9 of my Champix course and in the last 24 hours have not enjoyed any ciggie. This morning I felt sick. I'm also reading Carr's 'Onlyway to give up smoking - Permanently' which is a detailed extension of 'Easyway'. I feel so ready to kick smoking into touch for good.

Watch this space.

[nsd_user663_28436]

I quit for 6 months reading and watching allen carrs dvd, i understand it and it did help me, and even tho i am on patches at the moment i have watched the dvd, just helps to remind me why im quitting.

I know someone who read the book and found she smoked more while reading it as it is talking about smoking alot (which you would expect)

[nsd_user663_26699]

Thanks everyone for your responses. If I learned one thing so far, it seems that people tend to either love or loathe Carr's methodology. Another, thanks to Fitwith40 is that it is NLP-based. I never knew that.

I had already quit when I read the book, and had previously thought about many of the concepts he describes. Still, it was a good book for me to reinforce my thinking, and taught me a few additional concepts.

Alex.

[nsd_user663_33894]

I found it didn't really help me much. I guess I'd never really considered that I didn't enjoy 'smoking', just relieving some of the nicotine withdrawal all smokers have. My problem with the book was his tone, and that I think NRT is helpful rather than keeping the 'little monster alive'. But each to his/her own! If sitting in a bath full of pink blancmange helped someone to quit, I'd be all for it :p.

[nsd_user663_33902]

Newbie

After 2 previous attempts to quit smoking I'm really focused this time and want to leave no stone unturned, I've heard loads about this book...is it worth the cost? How long does it take to read? I read a lot and have heard this book can work wonders, I just don't want to end up being preached to and get angry.

[nsd_user663_20978]

i read allen carr and believe it helped me and reinforced my quit i also used patches and inhalator which he doesnt agree with but hey i quit so it doesnt matter

i believe the book patches inhalator and me contributed towards my quit i would recommend reading it for the small price it is took me about two days to read it

but if being preached to is the issue then cigarettes preach to you and make u smoke them religiously every day so wats the diference if it does preach at least u will be smoke free at the end

[nsd_user663_33894]

Despite the fact that it didn't work for me, I would say give it a go as you have nothing to lose!

You could try getting it from a library if you don't want to commit to the cost. Last time I went in one they had loads of copies. Or even your GP might have one.

Good luck with your quit, and I hope you find something that works for you

[nsd_user663_20978]

it costs less than a packet of cigarettes on amazon

[NicFirth 10 Years Smoke Free]

I didn't read it until I had quit for a few weeks, I found it rather repetitious but it had some useful concepts which became part of the foundation of my quit. The same applies to the whyquit website and the other links in my sig.

Overall what worked for me was understanding the addiction, knowledge is power. Easyway was on part of it for me along with a lot of reading around the subject and the guidance and support of the members on here and other forums.

[nsd_user663_6426]

I liked Alan Carr and found his way of looking at smoking very revealing....made me think about smoking in a completely different way. You are just feeding an addiction, plain and simple. I'm choosing to stop before the addiction stops me. I'd give him a go.

[nsd_user663_35439]

I read his book late last year. Couldn't agree with cold turkey with no pain - i've had stomach cramps through withdrawal in the past. The book does raise some good points e.g. How can the same thing be used to wake you up in the morning and relax you to sleep in the evening. Reread the book on day 6 of the quit and stopped my NRT straight away. Highly recommend reading it!!

[nsd_user663_33545]

It didn't work the first time around for me . I saw it as preaching and really annoyed me and I wanted to slapp Allen Carr with his book around his head

But , I missed some very important facts then and the reasons why I smoke and the craving bit.

I read allen carr again, while used nic-chewing gum and inhalator ( and I know he doesn't agree with NRT) . But by the time I finished his book I didn't feel the need of using nic-chewing gum or inhalator.

The book costs pennies and you can get it second hand . Its defenatly worth reading it, even if your using NRP . It has changed my hole smoking issue..if that makes sense .

[nsd_user663_40752]

I'm on day 2 of not smoking after reading this book.

Its hard work, but for me even getting this far is a miracle.

[nsd_user663_6426]

Well done Nick...you're doing great. Allen Carr clicked for me and worked a treat. Here's to us....and here's to you on a successful day 3.

Lisa x

[nsd_user663_4558]

Works for me.

[nsd_user663_4123]

I remember reading it a couple of years ago and it didn't resonate with me at all - yes, there were some interesting points in there but there was no epipheny come the last page. I think my expectations were too high and whilst I won't begin to psychologically understand what makes me and others tick, I think it depends on what kind of person you are.

That said I definitely think it's worth a read if you're trying to quit using other methods, as I think it works really well as re-inforcement.

[Tomatpots 10 Years Smoke Free]

Worked for me

What have you got to lose. I only wish Id read it earlier. Its a crime that this book is not offered on the National Heath

[nsd_user663_35913]

I read it about 10 years ago - and it made perfect sense but I only read half of it and got bored. Also went to the Alan Carr sessions but that lasted until I left the building. And again - it all made perfect sense - but I guess I just didn't want to give up smoking then...

I then read Runaway Jury by John Grisham in about July/august last year - and lo & behold, it clicked and I wondered what the hell I was doing. The book is about the family of someone who died of lung cancer (from smoking) taking one of the big tobacco companies to court and suing for ga-zillion dollars....it also included some pretty scary facts and statistics. FINALLY - I realised what I was doing - and felt like a bit of an idiot for want to breath in arsenic and death-chamber gas amongst other lovely poisons...:eek:

So I think that Alan Carr does work yes - but only if you are ready for it to work.

[nsd_user663_35351]

It worked for me too, it just made sense and clicked straight away.

[nsd_user663_23651]

I quit smoking before I read it but it really confirmed that smoking does nothing at all, it really is a matter of habbit and addiction and can be broken, says me after 35 years, it can be done.

[nsd_user663_40752]

Now on day 9 after reading the book - still havent smoked, and i know for a fact i'm not going to.

I appreciate the book might not work for everyone, but for me its been a revelation. Everyone who knows me is in a state of shock that i have quit!

[nsd_user663_39959]

I found the book intensely annoying! The guy at whyquit convinced me I could do it more than Carr did.