521 of 524 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Allen Carr's Easy Way Review, June 9, 2008
This review is from: The Easy Way to Stop Drinking (Hardcover)
I read Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Drinking with a critical, but hopeful open mind. I wanted to believe that just by reading this book that he would convince me to give up drinking without regret, and without the need to use willpower. I liked that I didn't have to give up drinking during the book. That gave me some time to put off that dreadful day.
I read steadily, but had no desire to finish it in record time. I was always sober when I read it, but always looked forward to my nightly ritual of beer and scotch and falling asleep on the couch. His book really spoke to my personal situation. However, I began to dread getting to the end, but also wanted to get to the end to get the magic instructions. I read the rules to agree by before going on. I wasn't sure I agreed with them 100%. I tried rereading some chapters that really spoke to me. I read the instructions. They seemed common sense. I didn't think that was going to do it for me. I read the chapter on the final drink. A little disappointed, I went home to have my final drink. I couldn't have just one. I had my usual, and felt the usual in the morning. It sucked.
The next day I picked up the book again and started reading. I reread the instructions. I reread some chapters.
I kept reading the book, finding a lot of solace in breaking false drinking associations, and reminding myself daily that alcohol ravages time, energy, love, and money. Four things we can never have enough of. I made a habit of reminding myself of how great it is that I am free. I will not mourn the drink, nor envy those who drink.
I am wary that I may eventually let my guard down, and enjoy reading a chapter or two again to reinforce my decision. I will also say that those who like AA, may not like this book, as it is counter to what they may have been taught or what works for them. The prospect of taking it a day at a time, and learning to live with the desire to drink, to me, it seems only feeds your mind that you are giving something up and that you are the only one in the way of that pleasure. As Carr would say, "What a morbid prospect!"
To be fair, it has only been 20 days of living life outside of that prison. But I am optimistic, and I encourage anyone with an open mind to read the book, and if it doesn't speak to you on the first read, go back and reread the chapters that speak to your doubts. The book spoke to my personal situation, but I doubt would have worked for me even 10 years ago.
Did Carr convince me to give up drinking without regret, and without the need for willpower? I don't know. I would like to say, Yes, Absolutely! But I admit there is a small doubt in the back of my mind that the lessons will wear off. I believe he did give me a very logical view of what alcohol is, and what it has done to me. I feel good about my decision. I look forward to living my life without the addiction of alcohol.
***UPDATE****7/8/2008
I am still alcohol free after 7 weeks. I feel better than I have in years, and am genuinely happy that I am not drinking. Carr's method is still working for me.
***UPDATE*** Oct. 1, 2008
Still not drinking. Have had a few days where I started thinking it would be fun again. I re-read a few chapters. I still like to refer back to the chapters, and re-read the rules. It really makes no sense to consume alcohol. It takes so much, and returns nothing. It's just a widely available drug. Treat it as it is.
Carr correctly reminds us that alcohol ravages time, health, love, and money. Four things you can never have enough of.
Still not drinking after 4+ months and glad of it.
Mac
****Update Jan. 7, 2009****
I made it through the holidays, and even a New Years Eve party without a drink. I was the only one not drinking, including my wife who still drinks a little wine.
I have not had a drink in 7+ months. I still look at drinkers, and have no desire to join them, but there are times when I have felt restless. Like I was missing something. I like to go back and review a few chapters of Carr. It still helps to do so.
I can honestly say that I have never felt better. I sleep well, and have a clarity of thought that is hard to describe to someone who hasn't experienced it. I read more, and just have more time in my head.
I still think Carr works best for those of us who do not have underlying issues, because those will still be there. I also don't think it would have worked for me in my 20's, I was just too hung up on partying away my life, though I wish I could go back. What a waste of time, money, etc.
Best of luck to anyone reading this.
**** Update June 1, 2009 ****
Just wanted to add an update that I passed one year about a week ago. It was a good year, and I did enjoy passing each first without drinking. First vacation, first birthday, first holidays. I feel better than I have in years, and I sleep better than ever now. I also have more quality time in my head, and accredit that to becoming more religious. That is one thing that surprised me. I have not become a religious fanatic, however. I just feel calmer, and more open to religion.
One other thing that has happened, is that I am doing some things in my personal life, that I put off for 20 years. Some personal goals and ambitions that did not mix with drinking.
I hope that if you are like I was, that you can find the peace that I have.
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93 of 98 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bizarre, October 26, 2007
This review is from: The Easy Way to Stop Drinking (Hardcover)
I am not entirely sure why or how this works. I am entirely more unsure of why you don't hear about Allen Carr's method more often. I am a bit blown away. A few chapters thru this book and I just stopped. Just like that. I have an entire fridge full of Sam Adams and a few bottles of wine, too. No more wine tasting - nothing. BIZARRE. I don't have the miracles to report that my life changed drastically or anything but I did want to totally stop and this book helped me make it happen. Like I said, it is utterly bizarre. I hope to finish the last few chapters this weekend and then I will call it a wrap. It was pretty easy, too. There are several books available to purchase on this topic - THIS is the one that worked for me, the first few chapters, the very first time.
Wanted to add a bit of a follow up - It's been seven weeks, and I really only wanted to drink one Friday afternoon for a bit, recently - and I didn't. So far, that was really the only time I've experienced any thoughts at all about drinking. I'll add more to this review as time goes by.
I did six months without a drop.
December 2008 - THE UPDATE
It's time for me to read the book again! LOL I did a really great six months - but then slid a little, and then a lot - and now I need to read the book again. The problem this time around, is that I am not as motivated to stop completely. It's like I am avoiding another read thru, cause I know it will make me stop. Thanks for all the requests for updates!
The book really does work - but YOU have to work on your desire to WANT TO STOP.
Another update - can be found under July 2009...
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80 of 84 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Allen Carr should be made a saint, December 11, 2006
This review is from: The Easy Way to Stop Drinking (Hardcover)
Incredible. Life changing. If you even suspect your drinking needs to be controlled, you must get this book. An incredible work worth its weight in gold.
It is even more useful than his smoking book, because it deals with a subject that is much harder and more complex because not everybody feels drinking is a bad thing. The prose is a little clumsy but I think this is deliberate because Allen Carr is trying and succeeding in shifting the reader's paradigm.
The scales have been lifted from my eyes, I havent given anything up, just gained my freedom to live a great happy and full life. That is why this is so easy!
I am so excited about this, about feeling great, no hangovers, huge energy, achieve fitness, self respect, control, being able to travel more easily, being able to reach for the moon!
It only works if you read it through, but here is a summary of the messages:
Alcohol is a drug with no real benefits, which everyone gets hooked on by a huge con trick.
The drug has only the effect of numbing the senses, something we never needed before we took it to have fun. However society is brainwashed and influenced into seeing this as a social asset, not the nightmare trap it is. This numbing actually doesnt take away problems but makes them worse by covering them up.
Alcohol is a poison, which we don't naturally like tasting, but we disguise the taste to make it palatable.
The trap or con trick into which all drinkers fall, is like a pitcher plant that catches flies. Once in the trap you can't get out, but the reality is that to not drink is to give up nothing - it is freedom from devastation, but it is impossible to see this from in the trap. When we were growing up, we managed to have loads of fun and energy without thinking we needed alcohol. It has conned you.
There is no such thing as alcoholism, just varying degrees of sliding into the alcohol trap and losing control. Some people never lose control because their timeline is it takes them more than their lifespan to slide fully into the poisonous trap. For others its a few years.
If we said I can handle it about eating carrots it would sound odd wouldnt it. What a con. It doesnt do anything for you - just inebriates you, dulls your senses.
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