Has anyone out there tried Allen Carr's book about quitting smoking?

I did about 8 years ago. It was a good book but I had horrible timing since I read it right before finals week. I made it about 24 hours before I snapped.

It might have worked if I had read it at a different time. But it was cheap and only took a few hours to read. I would certainly try it since I know people it did help.

It’s what I used to quit. I heartily recommend it, though, like anything else, it’s not going to work for everyone.

However, it totally worked for me, and I had tried cold turkey, Wellbutrin and some other quit drug previously. I’ve been smoke free for almost 3 years now.

I cannot recommend Allen Carr highly enough

I read it and quit on 21st January 1999, after 22 years of smoking, and haven’t wanted a cigarette since. Everything he wrote in the foreword, that I would find it easy and enjoyable to stop, came true, despite me snorting with derision as I read it.

I know for a cast-iron certainty that I will never smoke another cigarette again.

Allen Carr has some great perspectives that definitely helped me quit. The only thing I disagree with is the fact that he discourages using nrt’s (like nicotine gum), I think that for some people they are helpful (fyi I used them a few times but my final quit was cold turkey). If you understand his principles though you will understand why he is against them. The book alone helped me quit but was not the only tool I used during my quit. Quitnet is a good community for those who are quitting smoking. Also quitsmokingonline.com is a good site that ties together Carr’s teachings along with some other theories. Another good site is whyquit.com, there are a bunch of helpful resources there. All in all, be dedicated to quitting and “don’t quit quitting!” It might be tough in the beginning, but it gets so much easier as time goes on. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk more about quitting.

@meiosis I want to be you

thanks guys

@sarahhhhh Have you started reading it yet? It’s a bit tedious at times, as his central message is pretty simple but is hammered home repeatedly, but persevere. Hopefully you can be like me and happily off the fags forever.

Good luck

I havn’t bought it yet. A friend told me it changed her life and I just wanted some more opninions before I went and got it.

Can’t wait to have white teeth and healthy, hydrated skin!!! :P

I haven’t tried it, but I worked in a bookstore for 6 years. I cannot tell you how many times I spoke to customers who read it and had great results. Several times, I helped customers who were coming in to buy 5–10 or more copies to give to their smoking friends.

May he rest in peace.

Well, thanks to this thread I downloaded the book yesterday and subsequently quit. Let’s hope it takes.

Good luck @JilltheTooth. Just remember that every pang is your body’s way of celebrating that you no longer need to smoke. Revel in them.

It really is all about the ‘tude, huh. Thanks, @meiosis. I noticed when I was traveling recently that I was averaging 3 cigs per day, pretty good indicator that the triggers have a lot to do with it.

Way to go @JilltheTooth! Hope it sticks.

@JilltheTooth yayyyy I’m so happy. I just think to myself now its such an unnecessary habit. Been “clean” 4–5 days now and that is an accomplishment for someone like me. I think we can do it.

Well, thanks for asking the Q, @sarahhhhh , I probably wouldn’t have known about the book otherwise. Here’s to us!

@JilltheTooth Good luck, sweetheart! You’ll be in my prayers every night, and I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed and sending you lots of hugs!!

I tried very hard recently, and used Wellbutrin, then Chantix, but I had so much stinking stress from my grandmother overdosing on narcotics that I gave up on quitting. I still have the rest of my Chantix for when things calm down, though, and maybe I’ll download this book, too!

Take a look at the book, @WillWorkForChocolate , it’s one of those those slap yourself on the forehead “Doh!” kinds of things. Tomorrow I’ll PM you…(tired tonight).

@WillWorkForChocolate read the book, and when you’re ready, quit again. Good luck.

@WillWorkForChocolate do try again. I feel so empowered simply 4 days off the thing. Everyday is an accomplishment. I read some of the book (downloaded it) and it just speaks to you. Good luck.

OK, so I’m 2 days quit. Some questions: Why, since nicotine is a stimulant would the lack of it cause me to have such an abundance of manic energy? This isn’t “feel better” energy, it’s goofy. I’m tiring out Zuppy, the perpetual motion dog! Second Q: If nicotine suppresses the appetite, why does the lack of it cause me to want to eat less? I’m so confused…

@JilltheTooth I had two engagements today and I was full of energy for both. This really surprised me too. I am aware that cigarettes kill your stamina but I didn’t expect to feel the difference so quickly. As for your second question I have no good answer to it either but I’m feeling the same way but more so because I’m finding it hard to go #2 :S

Yeah, but my energy level is manic, and it’s making me a little nuts. Well, that’s OK, as long as it’s temporary. Digestion’s not an issue for me (yet?) but I eat so much fiber normally that I’d be surprised if things stopped working right…

One week later, still smoke free, still manically energetic, still NOT suffering from withdrawal. This is a good method.

Same here… and like the book says, I do feel free! I never thought it could happen.

Isn’t it great? Congrats to you both!

Almost 8 weeks out, still having no problems. I’ve justified the new phone and plan as it cost about the same as what I was spending on butts. And for a cheapo tight-wad such as myself, this is a cool thing.

OK, guys, feel free to roll your eyes as this Q comes up in your feed and you see that it’s me again. Just about 6 months later, still not smoking, giving the book to people, they’re not smoking, gained a few (4) pounds recently, I’m thinking that has more to do with the holidays than not smoking for let me say it again! 6 months!

I’m so proud of you and so happy for you!! Truly! High fives and (((hugs))) to you!

Now that @Seelix has asked her own Q about quitting, I figured it was time to resurrect this. 7 months for me, folks.

Way to go, @JilltheTooth! I had forgotten how long it had been since you read Carr’s book. What an achievement! I’m so happy for you :D

Just think, @Seelix , you, too, can be posting here again and again if you want! ;-)

Congrats @JilltheTooth. You deserve the congratulations :-) Did you get any weird symptoms as you gave up? I used to wake up really early, wide awake. I didn’t need so much sleep and I seem to recall weird dreams too (I already have weird dreams so these were weirder and more vivid).

I had wild manic energy for the first month. I would walk poor little Zuppy so far he’d almost be falling down. Jittery energy. I didn’t like that. Then it all evened out, and was normal. I really only gained about 4 or 5 pounds, total. I’ve had no cravings at all. My smeller is very acute, now, and I almost miss the smell of stale smoke in my house, now I can smell the stale dog… :-/