The "EasyWay" by Allen Carr is full of crap

[christy37]

So that's what my Dad thought of the book after reluctantly reading it per my request. He said the only thing he agreed with was that it was miraculously easy to not smoke. You just don't pick up a cigarette. I on the other hand took everything Carr said literally. I raved about how great this book was to all my smoking friends and family. 

Guess who is 4 months smoke free? I'll give you a hint, it's not me. I can't think of one person who precisely followed "The Easyway" plan and quit successfully. 

Allen's advice better payoff in the bigger picture, or I'm changing my 5 star review on Amazon. Lol

[froguelady]

I read the book 2 years before I quit.  Do I think it helped me, yes I am glad I read it and think every quitter should.  Do I agree with everything in it no of course I don't or I would have quit when I first read it.  Do I agree with your Dad just quit by not picking up a cigarette, YES I sure do.  No matter what method you use to quit, cold turkey ot NRT in one form or another you have to not give into a crave by lighting a cigarette.  I had craves but knew if I smoked just one the fight would start over again.  I smoked for 54 years and I quit and so can you. 

[christy37]

Thanks for the encouragement Froguelady. I am starting to think that the Easyway has been more of an obstacle in my early quit attempts. It seems I need to unprogram some of the brainwashing from Allen Carr's book before I can even succeed in the first 3 days to 3 weeks. I'm sure his positive way of looking at becoming a non smoker will help in the long run, but it does nothing to help me through the nicotine addiction part.

[JonesCarpeDiem]

i have never read the book so i can't tell you if i think it helps or not.

my blogs describe the simplicity with which i quit.

i don't know how many times mr carr tried to quit before he was successful but i know he died of lung cancer.

i myself would rather learn from someone who succeeded the first time because i believe those people know what it takes.

A lot of people believe in his method and i don't even know what it is. LOL

[christy37]

Dale, he paints a pretty picture about quitting- no withdrawls and total euphoria. All you have to do is choose to become a non smoker and be happy about your decision. Here's the catch; in order to achieve this euphoria, you can't use any substitutes in place of smoking and you shouldn't alter your life in anyway, including avoiding triggers. NRTs, , lemons, candy, and support groups are only a few of the substitutes prohibited by his method.

I didn't realize that this book has actually been a hindrance to my quitting smoking until I found this blog. Many people that have succeeded quitting have some wonderful advice about quitting, most of which goes against the Easyway method. I know it is my fault that I have failed to quit, but the Easyway has not made any of my attempts easy. Lol

Thanks for your advice. I have read your blogs and do plan on utilizing much of your advice and techniques.

Christy

[Connie55]

Allen Carr's book was very instrumental not only in my quit, but that of my sister and my niece as well. I believe the reason it was so helpful to me is that it taught me not to make a big, dramatic deal out of quitting. I'm not going to die, the world is not coming to an end, my life will never be good again.....etc.  It also taught me to quit making excuses and just make the decision and do it. And you know what, it really was very easy. Nothing helps you with nicotine addiction except you own mind. And that is what the book also taught me, how to change my mind about cravings. The only brainwashing you will find is that of the nicotine talking to you, trying to convince you that you cannot do this for one reason or another. Make no excuses and just never pick up another cigarette.

[christy37]

Oh and I cried when I found out Mr. Carr died of lung cancer. Yes I was a die hard believer. Lol

[christy37]

Connie, I'm glad to know it had such an instrumental influence on your quit. I'm not too sure why it hasn't helped me. I know it has sublimical messages throughout the book, which become obvious when you read it for a 2nd or third time. I know right after I read it, I felt very confident and excited about becoming a non-smoker. After 4 months of failed attempts, I am no longer confident with my decision, or lack there of, to become a non- smoker. 

Congrats on your quit. I always enjoy reading your responses.

Christy

[Connie55]

Confidence  in and commitment to your decision to quit is critical regardless of the method used. If you are more comfortable with NRT's thats fine. Some people here used them and some did not. Just remember that NRT's are temporary step and you can not break free from the addiction to nicotine and find your freedom until you stop not only smoking, but putting ANY nicotine in your body from all sources.

[Connie55]

Oh, and one other thing I wanted to ask you to examine is why have you failed to quit 4 times? What is it that you think you are getting from that cigarette that makes you keep going back to it time after time? You need to understand that the cigarette (nicotine) is lying to you if you believe that you need it. You will not die without it, but you just might die with it. Your choice.

[Patty70]

I read most of that book and did not care for it or even agree with some of it. Some of it was down right contradictory.

What I do highly recommend is the short online course at quitsmokingonline.com  Also you can see an article at whyquit.com titled something like Addiction 101   Both of those publications were helpful to me in completely changing my understanding of nicotine addiction and the online course was particularly great in helping me commit to my decision to quit. There was no more "should I or shouldn't I " games.  I came to honor my decision through those readings.

I see the Alan Carr book and the quitsmokingonline.com course recommended here more than anything else.  Sooo, you have read the book, please check out the short course.  I think you will get a lot from it.

[shill57957]

It really helped me understand this addiction.  I had two previous failed quits because I didn't understand.  I think so many people out there who smoke don't understand.  It is sad to me.  I hate to see people suffer needlessly.  I finally got it thanks to that book and this site.  I am 314 days free and have not had a single craving since day 1.  

Sheri

[christy37]

Connie, I have been thinking about why I have failed and my reasons for continuing to smoke. Unfortunately, the reason I still smoke goes deeper than I would like to admit. It's part of my idenity and purpose in life. Pathetic, I know. Hard to imagine yourself as a nonsmoker, when the last time I could identify myself as a non-smoker, I wasn't even an adult yet. Lol

[christy37]

Patty, I read quitsmokingonline.com and really enjoyed it. I actually emailed the author for any tips and he emailed me back some useful information, including the idea that I may just not be ready to quit. 

I'm going to read addiction 101. Thanks for the suggestion, I definitely need some more reading suggestions.

[christy37]

Sheri,

I agree, I really learned a lot from the book. It was actually the first time I even entertained the idea that I might want to become a non smoker. I definitely am not grasping something about this addiction. 

I am very impressed that you never had a craving. I am on Chantix now and haven't noticed it helping at all with cutting down and cravings. 

[Strudel]

Carr's book and Quitsmokingonline.com both really helped me. I smoked for 40 years - so, it took a great deal to turn my thinking around. However, after hanging out here since I quit (two years ago) I am a firm believer in the fact that it is not the method that matters- it is the attitude of the quitter. It is believing that you are doing it - it is committing to doing it.....no options.....no outs! Someone here wrote this simple rule for quitting - "Don't smoke". The first time I read that I thought - "how stupid" - then I spent some time thinking about it. I realized that really was all that was involved. A decision....

So again - the method is up to you - once you decide that you can do it - you will! I swear! 

[summer-07-06-15]

I read both mr's Carr's book Quitsmokingonline.com I found the quit much more helpful becuase it helps you question with the why do you smoke??? exercises without any criticism of why you may have different thing stopping you from quitting. Since It took me five times to stick to my quit. This time I have last, even with all the stress i'm under. which I'm under whih has surprice me I'm rereading the books very slowing so the crap sticks to my brain.  I am a slow learner o'Lord excecuse the spelleing.Aargh!!!!

[christy37]

Strudel, 

You are so correct about it not being about the method you use, it's all about your commitment and your mindset. I guess I felt a little duped by the Easyway. He promised me an easy quit, so damnit, I wanted my easy quit. Lol

congrats on 2 years quit! That's awesome!!

Christy

[christy37]

Exsmoker101,

i litterally laughed when you called yourself a slow learner because I can so relate. Quitting this addiction makes me feel ignorant, contradictory, and just plain dumb. You are obviously a faster learner than me because look at how far you have come.

Congrats on almost 50 days smokefree,

Christy

[DollyMargaret]

Just want to post and clear Allen Carr's name as he did die of lung cancer, he never again became a smoker!!  Tragic really, some say it was the second hand smoke from his seminars that may have triggered the lung cancer.  He was a 60-100 per day smoker and smoked for something like 40 years, I imagine his 20 year quit bought him a great deal of extra time.  If he saved even one life which anyone could argue thousands have been set free of their addiction using his books and seminars...those extra 20 years smoke-free held infinate value.  I can't wait to finish his book and be smoke free forever.  Nobody thinks smoking is good for you, so when my mind contradicts some of his science or whatnot, I figure it is indeed the addiction contradicting him.  I wish he'd explain the science a bit better, but it isn't important!!! He argues there is probably no such thing as a light smoker/weekend smoker, which is me...but being as heavy a smoker as he was perhaps he doesn't understand.  Who cares?  There but for the grace of God go I is my thought.  It isn't a religious text but it worked for many and I am allowing it's magic to work on me!  What's important is the attitude adjustment.  I haven't gotten to the part where he tells you not to stay connected, but that does not sound like a good idea.  I figure the AAs have it right when they focus on helping other addicted persons with their recovery so our own freedom from addiction is not forgotten.  I have had trouble with relapse and so this book is right for me now and this time will be forever.  CAN'T WAIT!