Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Worrying

by Allen Carr

Whether readers are serial or intermittent worriers, they find this innovative book a reliable, handy corrective. As Allen Carr shows, worrying need not be a permanent fixture in life and its elimination helps us to achieve our full potential.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Allen 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.

Reviews

[Skaistė Girtienė · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skaitant buvo dvejopi jausmai - lyg ir kažką vertingo randu, lyg ir ne. Gal trumpam buvo mažiau nerimo, bet man poveikis ilgam neišsilaikė.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very short read with nothing new or useful to say. Despite the book being so short the author manages to squeeze in several frankly anxiety inducing tangents about illness, the world ending and the inevitability of death. Thanks Allen!

[Diding]

nothing yet..

[Tumchenmamentumlein · Rating 1 out of 5]

Letto per sfizio sulla nave Genova - Palermo, un libro per vendere.

[Dario Delfino · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is VERY short... too short actually. The content isn't that useful, too generic to be something that can be actually applied, maybe. It looks like the author was riding the success of his other books and just wanted to make some more easy money! You can skip this, but if you read it it's not wasted time.

[Virginija · Rating 4 out of 5]

Labai džiaugiuosi, kad ši knygutė pakliuvo į rankas pačiu laiku. Vyliausi, kad gal nebus ta knyga apie eilinius motyvavimo principus. Nė kiek, trumpa, paprasta ir viskas aišku, jokio pilstymo "iš tuščio į kiaurą", neištempta, glaustas turinys, tas svarbiausia, o elementarias tiesas juk tikrai kartais pamirštame, pvz. kam "nerimauti dėl išpilto pieno", juk klaida jau įvyko, ir nerimas situacijos nepagerins.

[Paul Pryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good advice.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book saved my life. No joke.