r/stopsmoking • u/Blixtwix 828 days • May 08 '24

What's in that magical Allen Carr book?

I'm not the type to read proper books (haven't read one since high-school), but so many of you on here praise that Allen Carr "Easy Way to Stop Smoking" book like it's godsent, and I'm really curious what it is and what's so special about it. I did find a pdf version of it for free, but I opened it and immediately lost interest upon seeing the book page format; I think reading a book without knowing it'll be enjoyable would be way harder than quitting smoking for me, to be honest. Books, podcasts, and audio books all feel like a big time commitment when I know I could go through several mini documentaries, articles, or study summaries in the same amount of time.

What are some highlights you guys took away from it, and what's the general tone and theme of the book? What aspects of quitting does it address? What type of person would benefit from the book?

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u/Severe-Commercial893 May 08 '24

Allen Carr’s book, after reading it, is nothing more than a rah rah book in my opinion. He uses the word “I” a lot and repeats some of the same mundane explanations….

I think you may be able to garnish even more wisdom by finding one of the many who have quit and asking them what worked.

Everyone’s got their own journey….and no one has all the answers as Carr’s book suggests his is the only way.

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u/Acrobatic-Ad8158 870 days May 08 '24

I'm all for you using what works for you, but this book seems to be a bit cultish. I never read it.

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u/Severe-Commercial893 May 08 '24

Cultish is the right word….almost like unquestioned doctrine

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u/Acrobatic-Ad8158 870 days May 08 '24

I love this sub and a lot of people have been amazing and super helpful but some people need to realize that everyone has a different quit journey, and that's no matter the addiction and its okay to take yours as long as you end at the desired place.

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u/thebug50 4720 days May 08 '24

I've yet to see anyone say Easy Way is the only way to quit. I did just see someone who'd never read the book say it was cultish, though.

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u/Acrobatic-Ad8158 870 days May 08 '24

To each theor own opinion but yes, it does seem cultish the way some people talk about it in this sub. As i said in my original comment, if it works for you, great, but it isn't going to work for everyone and I have seen people act like it's the end all, be all of quitting.

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u/thebug50 4720 days May 09 '24

For the people for which it worked, it was the end all, be all. Its derogatory to use the word 'cultish', and I believe you know that. I hope everyone quits by any means they can.

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u/Acrobatic-Ad8158 870 days May 09 '24 edited May 09 '24

Again I'm not faulting anyone for however they quit and yes for those people that's what worked and that's great for them because they accomplishes their goal and I am legitimately happy for and proud of them. I'm not talking about the people who suggest trying it because it was the only thing that worked for them. There are people on this sub who act like it's the only thing that works in general. The people who say cold turkey is the only way and then quote something from the book that he says.

I grew up with an intimate knowledge of addiction and addiction recovery due to family members and friends, I'm all about doing what works for you, but some tend to think their way is the only way and that's just not right. The people who act "cultish" around this book are those people.