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The Easy Way to Stop Gambling: Take Control of Your Life
Allen Carr's Easy Way has helped over 14 million people to date and counting! His revolutionary approach to the problem of addiction allows addicts to take back control of their lives. Here in this brand new book the renowned Easy Way method is applied to the subject of gambling.
Most gamblers are convinced that it's almost impossible to stop gambling and free themselves from debt; they also feel unable to solve the widespread problems gambling causes. The wonderful news is that this book shows you how to stop immediately, painlessly and permanently.
This book understands gamblers and how they think and, without being judgemental or patronising, takes them step-by-step through the process of how to free themselves of the gambling addiction. It demonstrates how gamblers fall into the trap of gambling, the psychology behind being addicted to risk and how to quit gambling once and for all.
Most gamblers are convinced that it's almost impossible to stop gambling and free themselves from debt; they also feel unable to solve the widespread problems gambling causes. The wonderful news is that this book shows you how to stop immediately, painlessly and permanently.
This book understands gamblers and how they think and, without being judgemental or patronising, takes them step-by-step through the process of how to free themselves of the gambling addiction. It demonstrates how gamblers fall into the trap of gambling, the psychology behind being addicted to risk and how to quit gambling once and for all.
- GenresSelf Help
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2013
77 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Allen Carr
383 books285 followersAllen Carr was a British author and the founder of the global Allen Carr’s Easyway method, renowned for helping millions overcome smoking and other addictions. Born in Putney, London in 1934, Carr began smoking at 18 during National Service and struggled with the habit for over three decades. A qualified accountant, he finally quit in 1983 following a revelatory visit to a hypnotherapist. The experience didn’t directly cause him to quit, but it led to two key insights: that smoking was simply a form of nicotine addiction, and that withdrawal symptoms were minor and psychological in nature. These revelations inspired Carr to develop a revolutionary approach to quitting, one that did not rely on willpower, scare tactics, or substitution therapies.
Carr’s philosophy centered on removing the smoker’s fear of giving up. He argued that smoking merely relieves withdrawal symptoms from the previous cigarette, and that the supposed satisfaction gained is merely a return to the non-smoker’s normal state. Through live seminars, books, and multimedia resources, the Easyway method encourages smokers to continue smoking while they reframe their beliefs, ultimately extinguishing their final cigarette with clarity and confidence.
In 1985, Carr published The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, which became a bestseller and was translated into more than 45 languages. The success of his London clinic led to the establishment of over 100 Easyway centers in 35 countries, offering seminars to treat smoking, alcohol dependency, sugar addiction, and even fear of flying. His method’s credibility was bolstered by independent clinical trials, including studies in Ireland and the UK which found it as effective—if not more so—than standard cessation methods. This led to its adoption by NHS-approved services in England.
A key element of the Easyway clinics is that all facilitators are former addicts who successfully quit using the method themselves. They must complete extensive training and become licensed members of the Association of Allen Carr Therapists International.
Throughout his career, Carr also co-authored a wide range of Easyway books addressing various addictions and behavioral issues, often collaborating with Robin Hayley and John C. Dicey, the current Chairman and Global CEO of Allen Carr’s Easyway. Dicey, whom Carr mentored, continues to lead the organization’s development and public outreach.
Carr died of lung cancer in 2006 at age 72, though he had not smoked for 23 years. He attributed his illness to second-hand smoke exposure during seminars. Before his death, he remained committed to his mission, challenging governmental ties to nicotine replacement industries and advocating for wider access to his method.
Carr’s legacy continues through his clinics, books, and online programs, which have reached over 50 million people worldwide. His message remains consistent: quitting is not a sacrifice—it’s liberation.
Carr’s philosophy centered on removing the smoker’s fear of giving up. He argued that smoking merely relieves withdrawal symptoms from the previous cigarette, and that the supposed satisfaction gained is merely a return to the non-smoker’s normal state. Through live seminars, books, and multimedia resources, the Easyway method encourages smokers to continue smoking while they reframe their beliefs, ultimately extinguishing their final cigarette with clarity and confidence.
In 1985, Carr published The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, which became a bestseller and was translated into more than 45 languages. The success of his London clinic led to the establishment of over 100 Easyway centers in 35 countries, offering seminars to treat smoking, alcohol dependency, sugar addiction, and even fear of flying. His method’s credibility was bolstered by independent clinical trials, including studies in Ireland and the UK which found it as effective—if not more so—than standard cessation methods. This led to its adoption by NHS-approved services in England.
A key element of the Easyway clinics is that all facilitators are former addicts who successfully quit using the method themselves. They must complete extensive training and become licensed members of the Association of Allen Carr Therapists International.
Throughout his career, Carr also co-authored a wide range of Easyway books addressing various addictions and behavioral issues, often collaborating with Robin Hayley and John C. Dicey, the current Chairman and Global CEO of Allen Carr’s Easyway. Dicey, whom Carr mentored, continues to lead the organization’s development and public outreach.
Carr died of lung cancer in 2006 at age 72, though he had not smoked for 23 years. He attributed his illness to second-hand smoke exposure during seminars. Before his death, he remained committed to his mission, challenging governmental ties to nicotine replacement industries and advocating for wider access to his method.
Carr’s legacy continues through his clinics, books, and online programs, which have reached over 50 million people worldwide. His message remains consistent: quitting is not a sacrifice—it’s liberation.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 15, 2024
Emotionally hard read but great strategies for starving the monster we all have as humans. Mindset flip> Willpower… great rewiring
August 6, 2016
Having battled for many years with a gambling addiction, I had almost given up hope of finding a way to stop. Gambling gave me pleasure (or so I thought), and while I knew I needed to stop, part of me didn't want to let go of something I enjoyed. I've never been over-endowed with willpower, and I told myself it would be difficult to stop. That was until I read "The Easy Way to Stop Gambling" by Allen Carr.
This isn't a book by someone who "talks the talk", but has no idea what it's like to "walk the walk". He successfully gave up smoking after 30 years, so he knows what it's like to have an addiction. The book is easy to read, with anecdotes from real people, and a summary at the end of every chapter. It's almost like he's written it from inside my head, because I frequently found myself saying "That's how I think", or "That's what I did".
The book talks about the reasons why we gamble, our fear of failure, withdrawal, and goes through the steps you need to take to stop gambling once and for all. It was filled with encouraging words of wisdom, and highlights that by stopping gambling, you're not giving up anything. But you're gaining your life and your freedom back.
I couldn't recommend this book highly enough, as it has enabled me to claim my life back. I'm now looking at also addressing my weight problems and my smoking, through Allen Carr's methods. And I don't doubt that I will succeed with those challenges, as I've succeeded in giving up gambling, thanks to Allen Carr.
This isn't a book by someone who "talks the talk", but has no idea what it's like to "walk the walk". He successfully gave up smoking after 30 years, so he knows what it's like to have an addiction. The book is easy to read, with anecdotes from real people, and a summary at the end of every chapter. It's almost like he's written it from inside my head, because I frequently found myself saying "That's how I think", or "That's what I did".
The book talks about the reasons why we gamble, our fear of failure, withdrawal, and goes through the steps you need to take to stop gambling once and for all. It was filled with encouraging words of wisdom, and highlights that by stopping gambling, you're not giving up anything. But you're gaining your life and your freedom back.
I couldn't recommend this book highly enough, as it has enabled me to claim my life back. I'm now looking at also addressing my weight problems and my smoking, through Allen Carr's methods. And I don't doubt that I will succeed with those challenges, as I've succeeded in giving up gambling, thanks to Allen Carr.
January 16, 2014
Such a great self-help book. I was able to use it to curb my father's spending habits. Thank you for all of the knowledge, Carr. This has helped me help my close friends and family who have fallen prey to the demons of gambling. :)
April 14, 2025
Was skeptical, but....
The style of writing was spot on and straight to the point.
I couldn't put it down.
I've just finished reading it, and I have no fear of temptation or relapse. I've been addicted to many things, and gambling is the hardest to quit imo. At least I thought so. Seems in fact there is nothing to quit. But I will let the book explain. I want to buy a bundle and hand them out to the people in the slot machine shops, because everyone there is as miserable as I was, win or lose. Please, if you need help, get this book. It's a sure thing! Thank you Allen Carr!
The style of writing was spot on and straight to the point.
I couldn't put it down.
I've just finished reading it, and I have no fear of temptation or relapse. I've been addicted to many things, and gambling is the hardest to quit imo. At least I thought so. Seems in fact there is nothing to quit. But I will let the book explain. I want to buy a bundle and hand them out to the people in the slot machine shops, because everyone there is as miserable as I was, win or lose. Please, if you need help, get this book. It's a sure thing! Thank you Allen Carr!
July 20, 2024
Innovative approach
I really liked this positive approach to Gambling addiction. Removes the dread. Makes you responsible and changes the self-deprecating messages into self-power.
I really liked this positive approach to Gambling addiction. Removes the dread. Makes you responsible and changes the self-deprecating messages into self-power.
December 10, 2017
Very generic and not specific to gambling. Not even sure the author has ever even tried gambling
June 3, 2022
This is a masterpiece. The author has incredibly unique, deep and elaborate knowledge about addition. It's completely different from all other books about discipline, addiction or habits.
March 7, 2024
This book changed my mind on alot of things.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews