Has Allan Carr helped anyone?

[Murphs1]

Hi
Im on day 3 and have nearly finished listening to the Allan Carr book. I’ve read various versions of it and it didn’t resonate but I have listened to the audiobook, did a week on patches, had a night of wine and smoking and now have been cold turkey for 3 days with minimal cravings! It’s interesting and wound love to hear others experiences with it.

DH was on 30 a day for 15 years when we met. His mum then had a stroke and he decided to quit. He struggled, then read Allan Carr. Has never smoked again l. This was 17 years ago despite me smoking for another 8 years.

Oh this is all great thanks for all your messages. So glad it’s worked for you all,
and like others have said there doesn’t seem to be any magic formula contained within the book. I think the main thing I’ve taken from it is you’ll have an adjustment period of a few weeks, if you do crave it’s not really that bad and is the nicotine monster dying, and be pleased that your now a non smoker. I think maybe this time I’ve just accepted the main messages and it seems to be working, also maybe listening rather than reading has helped. Thanks everyone, fingers crossed I get there this time 🤞🏻

I read his book several times, gave up each time for several months but started again until the last time. I haven't smoked for 20 + years now and would never smoke again.

Good luck.

20 to 30 a day, if not more on a drunken night out. Read the book and I think it is 20 years this November since last cigarette.

Best £5.99 I have ever spent!

Would it work for vaping? My DH vapes and he's 'quit' a couple of times but always goes back, it's so expensive and feels like such an unknown in terms of long term damage, I'd love to recommend something good to help him.

Yes. I also used the audio book and quit in 2017 and am just totally not interested in smoking now. At all. I don't get tempted ever and I feel like an absolute fraud when people say well done because it genuinely wasn't hard.

I gave up smoking 14 years ago using his book. I found it really helpful

I forgot to add that I smoked 30+ a day for over 20 years, had tried other methods including vaping and always went back to cigs in the end.

My dh still smokes and it doesn't bother me, I don't find the smell repulsive like lots of ex smokers do, but I also don't find it tempting either. Im just indifferent to it. I don't feel tempted to smoke when drunk or stressed either..

Yes. I got the pocket book. Sat down with a packet of fags and smoked my way through the whole book in one evening. Stubbed out my last cigarette, went to bed and never smoked again. That was over 30 years ago.

I turned over the corners of pages for quick referral and carried that little book around with me for a while. One line I remember was 'I would no more want to put a cigarette in my mouth than put it in my ear'. That's exactly what it was like for me.

Went from 30 a day to zero and never looked back.

It should do yes. I think some more recent editions may actually say "cigarettes and vaping", my take from it is that it changed my entire thought process around nicotine addiction and how we trick ourselves into thinking that feeding the addiction makes us relaxed, happy or less stressed when it's not actually true, I used to think I loved a cigarette after a nice meal and that it made the experience even better, the book made me realise that it didn't, it also doesn't make me less anxious or less stressed.

The only thing I kind of still miss is the random chats with folk who are in the smokers area when on breaks or for meals etc.

Yes. It's amazing.

Yes! Haven't smoked since September 1999. Never even think about it.
Allen Carr did an amazing thing really.

Yes - I never ever thought that I'd give up smoking. I read Allan Carr years ago and it gave me a different perspective and I then quit. Brilliant book.

Yes - it’s interesting to see the other success stories on here. It was still hard but it worked! I’m forever grateful.
I also used apps/widgets that counted the data and hours smoke free, money saved, lung function recovery, and gave badges etc

It didn't work for DH. He read the book, did the course, got a second go at the course for free under the guarantee, then was given a refund. He has tried everything. The only thing that has worked was Champix, but it played havoc with his MH and he'd start smoking again a few months after stopping the pills. He was on and off it without long term success for years. He's switched to vapes now, which he claims are better but his nicotine intake is several times higher with those than when smoking roll ups.

My Dh gave up using the book over 20 years ago and has never relapsed.

No, he died of Liver Cancer

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6194670.stm

Just re reading your messages, thanks it’s really helpful to hear all your experiences. Its good to know some of you found it difficult for a few weeks and others nothing at all. I’m kind of in between but feel a lot less stressed and positive than using any form of nrt so I am very happy about that and feel like I will stick with it this time. Very sad Allan died form cancer, he has left a fantastic legacy though.

Just finished the book and looked for a thread about it because I really think this is it and wanted to talk about it! I have been smoking about 15-20 a day recently and it’s just too much so I bought the book. Been smoking since I was 14 back in the 90s, except for a 5 year period when the DC were little. I missed it the whole time and further efforts to quit just left me feeling panicky and upset. This time feels different, like quitting is a positive thing.

Well done @NoraLuka - keep it up!

Absolutely, I can share my experience! I managed to quit both smoking and drinking without relying on any books or outside advice, just through sheer determination and discipline. It was all about my strong desire to make a change. When I finally committed to it, I focused on what I wanted for my future rather than the temporary pleasures. I embraced a healthier lifestyle and redirected my energy into activities that made me feel good. The cravings were definitely there, but I found ways to cope with them, and over time, they diminished. It's all about finding that inner strength and motivation; once you have that, everything else falls into place!

I quit my 30 a day habit 22 years ago after doing the one day Allen Carr course. I had tried many many times prior to that. I've never smoked or missed cigarettes since that day. Recently I've stopped binge eating using his book after a lifetime of disordered eating. I think he was truly amazing and thanks to him so many people have led healthier happier lives.

Thought you meant the comedian to start with OP!