In Russia, no statistical studies have been conducted that would confirm the effectiveness of Allen Carr's methods. But perhaps every smoker has a friend who at least once recommended him to read the book “An Easy Way to Quit Smoking.” She helped a lot. Less popular is The Easy Way to Stop Drinking. The topic of alcohol addiction is very sensitive. Not everyone who managed to overcome it will, without embarrassment, recommend to friends and acquaintances the work of the founder of the Easy Way clinic.
What is the uniqueness of the method
Quitting smoking is no easier than conquering Everest. But Allen Carr - the creator of a unique technique - managed to refute this myth. When the book “An Easy Way to Stop Drinking” came out, many doubted it. A heavy smoker can hold a cigarette in his hand and read, gradually imbued with thoughts of the dangers of nicotine. However, it is difficult to imagine a person in severe intoxication, enthusiastically studying the book "An Easy Way to Stop Drinking."
Interestingly, the Carr method, first applied in the fight against smoking, and then published in the mid-eighties, is universal for all types of addiction. So says one of the former patients of the clinic "Easy Way".
Disease is easy to beat
Alcoholism is a chronic disease that cannot be eliminated. Remission is possible, a complete cure is not. This point of view is shared by many doctors. The author of The Easy Way to Stop Drinking was an opponent of generally accepted dogma. But he did not compete with societies of anonymous alcoholics.
Reviews of the "Easy Way to Stop Drinking" compatriots Allen Carr may differ from the opinions of Russian-speaking readers. In the post-Soviet space, alcoholism has always had a wider scale than in Europe and America. And therefore, the means of getting rid of it should be more effective.
Allen Carr believes that alcoholism should not be considered an incurable disease. Moreover, he believed that you can get rid of this ailment in just four hours if you undergo a treatment session in his clinic. With Allen Carr's book, An Easy Way to Stop Drinking, an addicted person can overcome it. But first of all, you need to find the strength in yourself to take this book in your hands. This is not so easy for someone who systematically drinks alcohol, but does not consider himself an alcoholic. But the one who realized that he was in a trap and decided to read “The Easy Way to Stop Drinking” will only have to read each chapter carefully and thoughtfully.
"Carnivorous plant"
This is the name of one of the chapters of the Easy Way to Stop Drinking. We will not retell the contents of the book here. Here are the most interesting points. Positive reviews of Allen Carr's book, The Easy Way to Stop Drinking, often say that the author’s style is easy and laid-back. There are no strict instructions. During the reading, an illusion of intimate friendly conversation is created.
The “Easy Way to Stop Drinking” genre is a psychological consultation. The author jokingly calls his book a detective story. After all, we are talking about addiction that kills a person.
Carnivorous plant is a trap for small insects. It is like the illusion that alcohol relieves problems and relieves stress. Carr cites such comparisons in his book, An Easy Way to Stop Drinking.
One of the author’s goals is to help readers get rid of not only addiction, but also shame. Every person suffering from an irresistible craving for alcohol, at least once in a life, finds himself in an absurd situation. Often, addiction leads to loss of work, family and other serious problems.
It is not enough just to open the book of Allen Carr. The main thing is to recognize the presence of a problem: craving for alcohol, from which there is not enough strength to get rid of yourself. But Allen Carr's book is worth reading for those who rarely drink, "on major holidays." This is a kind of prevention, a small course that will allow you not to make mistakes in the future.
Carr writes: "I hate the word alcoholic, but this hatred does not apply to people with addiction." The drinker experiences the pangs of conscience, and this prevents getting rid of cravings for alcohol. Carr presents the information very correctly. And this is an important advantage of his book.
Captive
Alcohol addiction is a prisoner. Perhaps everyone will agree with this interpretation. But the technique of Allen Carr is quite unusual. The author of the book “An Easy Way to Quit,” argues that the prison in which drinking people end up is created by the prejudices prevailing in society. Often, doctors, trying to dissuade patients from drinking alcohol, provides a list of diseases that develop as a result of regular drinking. This is not the best way.
Yes, a drinker can compile a list of terrible ailments and view it every time there is a desire to sip. But sooner or later, and this happens in most cases, he will tear this terrible list into small pieces and throw it away.
Allen Carr gives an interesting example in his book. Imagine that a doctor appeared in the cell to the Count of Monte Cristo and, examining the prisoner, said to him: "Staying here is not the best way reflecting your health, you would have to get out of here or at least go out into the fresh air more often." Monte Cristo already knows that being in prison will do no good. Such advice is stupid and useless. The prisoner in the novel will eventually get out of his dungeon. But can a drinker do this? The problem is that he acts both as a captive and as a jailer.
In alcohol, an alcoholic seeks relief from problems. When he realizes that drunkenness has gone too far, he cannot decide to fight it. Doctors say that it is impossible to get rid of alcoholism, and the path to remission is long, difficult, and also negatively affects the psyche and well-being. The drinker is held captive by the prejudices generated by society.
Allen Carr's Rules
To get rid of addiction, you need to understand three simple things:
- The drinker must eliminate the factors that prevent the limitation of the amount of alcohol. One of these factors is the fallacy that no festive feast will take place without alcohol.
- Trying to limit the amount of alcohol drunk with the thought of its harm, a person finds himself in the same reliable prison as the prisoner in the novel by Dumas.
- Least of all does an alcoholic want to hear how miserable and miserable he is. In order to get rid of addiction, you need to stop reproaching yourself.
Alcohol benefits
In his book, Allen Carr does not so much criticize alcohol as he tries to find its positive sides. And does not find. Carr argues that the negative aspects of alcohol do not exceed the positive. But insists: drinking alcohol has no benefits. Alcohol systematically destroys will and dignity. He has no other action. In the book, which was published in 1985, the author does not insist on urgent quitting. Allen Carr did the same when he wrote about alcoholism. He did not recommend limiting the amount of alcoholic beverages during reading. This is the specificity of the method.
Stop cheating on yourself
All people with alcohol addiction are lying. Not because they are dishonest. We can say that this is one of the symptoms of alcoholism. Moreover, drinkers lie not only to others, but also to themselves. In order to get out of the alcoholic trap, you should stop lying to yourself.
Allen Carr encourages readers to compile two lists. The first to bring the disadvantages of intoxication. In the other, virtues. When compiling both the first and second list, you need to be extremely honest with yourself.
Brainwashing
In the 20th century, anti-alcohol campaigns were carried out in different countries. However, alcohol advertising has always been very effective. Alcohol gives pleasure, relaxes. There are many interesting topics for discussion.
Allen Carr argued that these are all misconceptions. He adhered to the same point of view when writing his first book, in which he argued that nicotine addiction is beneficial only to manufacturers of tobacco products. Regarding alcohol advertising, Allen Carr cites American Westerns as an example. The heroes of such films spend most of their time in bars. It seems that they are only doing what they pump themselves up with cheap whiskey.
As an example, Russian-speaking readers may recall more than one Soviet or Russian comedy. The heroes of popular films, while intoxicated, do not lose their charm, and it happens that they even fall into ridiculous situations that not only complicate life, but solve a number of problems. The question arises: "What then is the harm of alcohol?" The basis of Allen Carr's method is to abandon the delusions that we get used to from childhood and take for the truth.
Reviews
Oddly enough, readers of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine respond positively to the book by the British author. These reviews confirm that the method developed by a person whom the followers of traditional methods of treatment considered a fraudster and a swindler in their homeland back in the 90s, really works.