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Allen Carr's Easy Way for Women to Quit Drinking: The original Easyway method
READ THIS BOOK NOW AND BECOME A HAPPY NONDRINKER FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.Allen Carr's Easyway is the most successful stop-smoking method of all time. It has helped millions of smokers from all over the world to quit. In the Easy Way for Women to Quit Drinking, Allen Carr's Easyway method has been applied to problem drinking for women- acknowledging that women who want to stop drinking face particular difficulties- and tailored to their needs.By explaining why you feel the need to drink and with simple step-by-step instructions to set you free, Allen Carr shows you how to escape from the alcohol trap. This book comes with several You won't feel like you're being talked down to; there are no scare tactics or gimmicks; you won't feel deprived; and you won't miss drinking.• A unique method that does not require willpower• Removes the desire to drink alcohol• Stop easily, immediately, and painlessly• Regain control of your lifeWhat people say about Allen Carr's Easyway "The Allen Carr program was nothing short of a miracle."Anjelica Huston"His skill is in removing the psychological dependence."The Sunday Times"I know so many people who turned their lives around after reading Allen Carr's books."Sir Richard Branson
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2018
444 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Allen Carr
383 books286 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 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 21, 2022
While this was more of a two-star read for me, I'm rounding up because other readers have found it so impactful. However, if you picked this up, as I did, because Holly Whitaker references it in Quit Like a Woman, I think it's fair to say that you can skip it. There isn't anything here that isn't more comprehensively and engagingly covered in Whitaker's book. Carr says over and over again that alcohol does absolutely nothing for you (whatsoever), but he doesn't get into the nitty-gritty specifics like Whitaker does in the section "What Happens in Our Bodies When we Drink a Single Class of Alcohol" (which f*cked me up).
He also directs his program at an audience who feels the need to hide their drinking -- drinking which seems to be happening at all hours of the day. I have no doubt that this is useful for some women, but I found Whitaker's wider lens about societal/social drinking to be more relevant for me.
And, of course, the the way he frames the risk of rape as you putting yourself at risk by drinking too much seems a bit dated. But thanks, Allen.
He also directs his program at an audience who feels the need to hide their drinking -- drinking which seems to be happening at all hours of the day. I have no doubt that this is useful for some women, but I found Whitaker's wider lens about societal/social drinking to be more relevant for me.
And, of course, the the way he frames the risk of rape as you putting yourself at risk by drinking too much seems a bit dated. But thanks, Allen.
August 2, 2020
This book showed me the light and allowed me to quit drinking 10 years ago. At the time, I knew I drank too much, and simply wanted help to reduce my alcohol consumption. I never thought I wanted to quit for good, until I read this book.
The book outlined very specific information, to help understand the direction I was headed in. It brought to light that I didn’t really want “ a drink or two” to be the highlight of my week, my vacation, my retirement, etc. Is drinking at noon on vacation really the best it gets??
I was petrified to even think how I could cope without drinking. It was a great comfort to have someone guide me through what it entailed, taking my fears away. Such a relief to be out of the prison that I was making for myself. I highly recommend this book for anyone who knows they drink too much. Once you break free, you will realize how much time you’ve wasted.
The book outlined very specific information, to help understand the direction I was headed in. It brought to light that I didn’t really want “ a drink or two” to be the highlight of my week, my vacation, my retirement, etc. Is drinking at noon on vacation really the best it gets??
I was petrified to even think how I could cope without drinking. It was a great comfort to have someone guide me through what it entailed, taking my fears away. Such a relief to be out of the prison that I was making for myself. I highly recommend this book for anyone who knows they drink too much. Once you break free, you will realize how much time you’ve wasted.
January 27, 2022
Pretty Good, a Little Heavy-handed
Spend enough time around self-help, and you're bound to run across the name 'Allen Carr.' I've read a few sobriety books that make reference to Carr, so I figured it was time to listen to the man himself.
The book is good. It leans on brainwashing you with the idea that alcohol is a poison with NO good points at all.
That isn't entirely a bad thing. Repetition can be good in the case of an addicted person. Plus, for the most part, Carr is right; our dependence on alcohol is bad news (cancer, anxiety, poor sleep, you know the drill!)
That said...I cannot agree that no one EVER has a good time with booze. I've been to a few legendary parties in my day, and I hate to say it, but alcohol helped to make them really over-the-top.
I'm not saying that we all felt great the next day, but to think that alcohol never did anything positive for anyone? Not once? Speaking as someone with a twinge of anxiety, I just don't think this is entirely true.
Carr also brushes off the very real threat of DT in extreme cases of alcoholism. He insists that most of the addiction is mental, not physical, and that no one should be afraid of DT. That seems a bit reckless to me. I am sure that someone with a big problem would want to consult their Doc before going cold turkey, as the book suggests.
Book aims to have you dislike alcohol so much, you will not WANT to drink anymore.
Spend enough time around self-help, and you're bound to run across the name 'Allen Carr.' I've read a few sobriety books that make reference to Carr, so I figured it was time to listen to the man himself.
The book is good. It leans on brainwashing you with the idea that alcohol is a poison with NO good points at all.
That isn't entirely a bad thing. Repetition can be good in the case of an addicted person. Plus, for the most part, Carr is right; our dependence on alcohol is bad news (cancer, anxiety, poor sleep, you know the drill!)
That said...I cannot agree that no one EVER has a good time with booze. I've been to a few legendary parties in my day, and I hate to say it, but alcohol helped to make them really over-the-top.
I'm not saying that we all felt great the next day, but to think that alcohol never did anything positive for anyone? Not once? Speaking as someone with a twinge of anxiety, I just don't think this is entirely true.
Carr also brushes off the very real threat of DT in extreme cases of alcoholism. He insists that most of the addiction is mental, not physical, and that no one should be afraid of DT. That seems a bit reckless to me. I am sure that someone with a big problem would want to consult their Doc before going cold turkey, as the book suggests.
Book aims to have you dislike alcohol so much, you will not WANT to drink anymore.
June 16, 2021
I repeat myself for the Women's addition:
A version of this book was referenced in Holly Whitaker's Quit like a Woman so I picked it up. Carr's fundamentally different approach to quitting alcohol is sublime and liberating. Of course, it's repetitive and pragmatic. Carr's method aims to undo years of brainwashing and has proven to be very successful.
You don't have to want to quit to read this book, and you have everything to gain from reading it. Take what works for you and use it to your advantage, whenever you need it.
Undeniably, alcohol is an insidious drug, an adroit killer.
A version of this book was referenced in Holly Whitaker's Quit like a Woman so I picked it up. Carr's fundamentally different approach to quitting alcohol is sublime and liberating. Of course, it's repetitive and pragmatic. Carr's method aims to undo years of brainwashing and has proven to be very successful.
You don't have to want to quit to read this book, and you have everything to gain from reading it. Take what works for you and use it to your advantage, whenever you need it.
Undeniably, alcohol is an insidious drug, an adroit killer.
November 12, 2023
I’m not a full blown alcoholic. I’m more a social drinker. But I come from a family of alcoholics. And it was very difficult for me to imagine a life where people don’t drink. It’s like a fairy tale or a foreign concept. I just couldn’t picture it. So I read this book more from curiosity. Just to see what one would say that could make people actually quit drinking. And I tell you what, it makes a lot of sense. I don’t think it would work for everyone. But for people that are open to actually quitting, I think it would be very helpful. I think I’m now officially a non drinker. And that’s not something I ever thought I’d say. If feels good though. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. And I appreciate the work Allen Carr does. It’s important work. I wish my parents had been able to read this book. ❤️
January 9, 2021
I like it. Instead of thinking you are being deprived or missing out by not drinking, you feel relieved that you don’t have to. It’s very repetitive throughout the book, but what better way to make ideas stick? You must go into it with an open mind. NQTD. 💖
February 12, 2024
Excellent book that reenforces that alcohol does nothing positive for you, your body or your mind, so why bother drinking at all? Carr explains the myths & illusions that brainwash us from childhood about alcohol & suggests it’s as addictive as heroin, but just more accepted in society today, similar to how smoking was acceptable in the 50’s. Carr emphasizes if you give up the desire to drink then you’ll never feel deprived not drinking. Well worth reading for anyone who questions why they drink.
December 6, 2020
I am now a non-drinker! yay! I am free from the slavery of alcohol and the societal brainwashing that drinking is pleasurable. So stoked!
December 3, 2023
a different perspective
Very happy I found this book. I have been a “social” drinker for many years, drinking at parties, events, or when I had a friend over etc. When Covid happened I was still drinking, but doing it at home by myself. I never thought of myself as an “alcoholic “ because it never interfered with my work and other commitments. I did, however, want desperately to quit drinking. I was aware it was taking a toll on my health. I gained weight, had chronic heartburn, couldn’t sleep, feeling tired, moody, my face was always puffy. Every time I tried to “cut back” it had the opposite effect. This book gave me a new perspective. I now don’t even have to try, I just have no desire to drink.
Very happy I found this book. I have been a “social” drinker for many years, drinking at parties, events, or when I had a friend over etc. When Covid happened I was still drinking, but doing it at home by myself. I never thought of myself as an “alcoholic “ because it never interfered with my work and other commitments. I did, however, want desperately to quit drinking. I was aware it was taking a toll on my health. I gained weight, had chronic heartburn, couldn’t sleep, feeling tired, moody, my face was always puffy. Every time I tried to “cut back” it had the opposite effect. This book gave me a new perspective. I now don’t even have to try, I just have no desire to drink.
February 13, 2023
This is the last book I read on the topic after dry January. He has an unusual method. He believes drinkers have been brain washed into thinking drinking is something of benefit and spends most of the time trying to undo all the beliefs that go into the pleasures of drinking. He calls the addictive brain a "little monster" but the brainwashed brain the "big monster" and talks about how to slay both. It's dramatic and over the top but very interesting. I see now how his work informed Annie Grace in This Naked Mind. Good stuff. I listed to it on audible while I did a 1,000 piece puzzle.
May 2, 2022
I give up alcohol during Lent each year; this year I decided to keep going. I heard good things about Allen Carr’s Easy Way books (his first was on quitting smoking) so I thought I would read it. This book can be repetitive, but I assume that’s part of the “method.” The theories and ideas all made good sense. I think I’d like to read his other Easyway books about losing weight and cutting out sugar.
January 20, 2024
Got kind of annoyed when I read this because it felt too «manifesty» and alternative. But when I finished reading it, I couldn’t get it out of my mind, in a good way. It did make an impression, and the manifesting parts of it kind of stuck with me. So even if it feels a little over the top, I definetly think one should read it instead of not. (If the topic interests you)
February 3, 2024
I did like some concepts - boiling it all down -
Eliminate the feeling of deprivation by focusing on elation that you’re no longer slave to the poison of alcohol - alcohol does absolutely nothing for you.
The rest of the book does read somewhat like hypnosis, repetitively reminding you of that one key fact. A boring read, but I won’t forget the key message.
Eliminate the feeling of deprivation by focusing on elation that you’re no longer slave to the poison of alcohol - alcohol does absolutely nothing for you.
The rest of the book does read somewhat like hypnosis, repetitively reminding you of that one key fact. A boring read, but I won’t forget the key message.
January 3, 2021
Excellent Read. Simplified what needs to happen, why, and how.
I’ve read a number of books over the years on this topic. This one was the most basic, down to earth method I’ve found.
I’ve read a number of books over the years on this topic. This one was the most basic, down to earth method I’ve found.
January 13, 2025
Good advice
This book gives you great tips and mindset to quit drinking. But it's based a several decades ago so it's a little dated in my opinion. But I will try this method! And I will definitely share this book with 2 of my friends that are still in the alcohol trap.
This book gives you great tips and mindset to quit drinking. But it's based a several decades ago so it's a little dated in my opinion. But I will try this method! And I will definitely share this book with 2 of my friends that are still in the alcohol trap.
February 9, 2025
I started off deciding to do "Dry January" after the holiday season. I read this book and have made the decision to stop drinking alcohol entirely. This book works, and what's more, it has helped me quit with pleasure. I ended up buying copies of the non-women's version for two of my loved ones.
December 26, 2018
lots of very interesting info in here
January 13, 2019
It works!
March 24, 2019
Some very good points but very repetitive.
Read
June 8, 2021will review in 1 month
June 2, 2022
must read
This book has totally changed my perspective on alcohol and quitting it. I would recommend to anyone trying to quit drinking.
This book has totally changed my perspective on alcohol and quitting it. I would recommend to anyone trying to quit drinking.
August 26, 2023
2.5. Audio version is awful
January 7, 2025
There are so many great books about getting sober but I feel like this is the most instructive. If you are feeling like it might be time to quit drinking, this book is a perfect place to start.
March 8, 2025
Audiobook. Informative. Very different approach to addiction. Makes sense and seems practical. A bit repetitive, but that helped reinforce key points.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews