While this one is written specifically for those of you who have decided you want to totally stop drinking. Again, like his other book, it concentrates on the cognitive aspects of your alcohol problems - what you are telling yourself internally about alcohol.
My alcohol journey has been hell. I’ve ended up in A&E, crashed my car, etc etc. While all this was going on my husband was begging for me to stop. I blamed him on being controlling and that he had totally misread my relationship with alcohol. I convinced him I was in control. Truthfully, he had NO idea about how much I was drinking, how much I was battling daily to cut down.
After several failed ‘will power’ attempts to quit I decided to give ACs book a go. I was desperate at this stage as physically my body was shutting down. I’ll avoid the graphics but I knew only too well I was slowly dying. Ears, head, mind, limbs, gut etc all screaming to stop drinking. Each morning I’d say “never again”… but by 10am I was usually back in the buzz again. I no longer used a glass to pour my wine. I simply swigged from the bottle.
I was euphoric after reading AC. Everything clicked! I suddenly knew how to stop and felt somewhat smug that I was going to be a none drinker. 2/3 weeks later I was still as happy, excited about living life with alcohol. This had been the longest I had been drink free in years. I found the withdrawals challenging but tried to revel in them, (shakes sweats, aches, sleepless nights) as I knew it was the poison finally leaving my body.
However, the truth is since the 2/3months I’ve read ACs book I have drank a few times. I’m really cross that I did but there just seems to be something in my system that requires me to rebel.. to do something wrong. I won’t fall back to were I was. In fact I still see my self as a none drinker but sometimes the pressure to rebel gets so intense i just do it.
Anyway the point is… I think AC is a genius. He has saved my life and writing this only confirms how proud, excited and delighted I am to live alcohol free.
Even though I relapsed once or twice I still firmly believe that this book brings success and that from today I will never let the little monster win again.
Mach love to you all xxx
I’m like a few of you who have read the book, but fallen back in the trap. I’m pleased to say that re-reading the book can and does work. The first time round there were so many ‘light bulb’ moments that there was a lot to take in. My main focus at the time was that any addictive drug doesn’t add anything, just gets you partially back to the state, every non-drinker feels all the time. This kept me free for 6 months or so. However, I came to the conclusion I just needed to block the world out sometimes and maybe I did need a crutch then times were stressful or not going my way. This led me to seek a substitute in weed. I haven’t smoked weed since the late 1990’s and man, today’s weed is way too strong! I tried it for a while, but before long I was back on the beer and it all went downhill fast.
I’ve just finished the book again and I can clearly see my mistakes. Although I managed for 6 months or so, I only followed about half the instructions. I feel I just got by on my desire to stop (willpower) and one small part of EW method. The nagging doubts I had last time aren’t with me now. I know that if I follow the instructions, I’ll remain free. I’ve also got the advantage of knowing that those 6 months being a non-drinker were absolutely fantastic in comparison and that life is far more enjoyable. I understand that I’ve got to find a way to cope when life gets hard, but no way am I turning to drink again. I know from bitter experience, it just makes things worse.
Like Dianne, I found that the Audio version was easier to digest. I also got the latest print version (2015) which comes with a hypnotherapy CD, which is also helping a lot.
I wish everyone well.
I have read this book several times and done well for months at a time. I had gastric bypass surgery 11 years ago and developed a serious alcohol addiction about 7 years ago. My body processes alcohol very differently than the normal person. For me, I have no stomach acid to break it down. I have read articles that equate it to shooting alcohol intravenously. I never was a drinker before my surgery at 35 years old. I did not like being drunk. I did however have substance abuse problems on and off due to some emotional issues. Using alcohol as I have over the last 8 years and having it blast right into my bloodstream and organs without any breakdown has been causing me some serious health problems. I have a dr appt in a week to have my liver and kidney checked out as well as my vitamin levels. It has now been 8 days since I had a drink.
I do not believe in AA. I am not damaged or diseased. I do not want to spend the rest of my life clinging to sobriety and fearful of a disease that does not exist. I am also an Atheist and the higher power thing does not appeal to me. I did try an AA meeting years ago, was chastised by a group of women for not believing in God, and was basically told I would fail if I did not have that. That was it for me.
I believe in this method. I know rationally that alcohol is nothing but legalized, addictive poison. I am anti milk for the same reason. Smoking is legal and look at how poisonous that is. When I am sober around drunks, I cannot get out fast enough. I am very social and am around it all of the time. All of my friends drink to some degree. Thankfully, my wonderful husband will not touch the stuff. He hates it.
All I know is that if I cannot stop, I am going to die. My body is reacting now and I am having side affects that cannot be ignored. I watched my Dad drink himself to death at 56. I am now 47. Allen is right, but there is still work we need to do. It is the never doubting your reasons for quitting thing that gets me every time. I almost hope my blood work and tests come back abnormal so I that doubt never creeps back in again. I want to quit. I want to never drink again. I hate being a slave to poison that is killing me. I feel a little different this time though and scared for my health. I sincerely hope this time is the time.
Something that Carr doesn’t really delve into is how to handle the social pressure to drink. As a mid-30s bloke in a relatively heavy drinking works environment, that pressure constantly crops up.
2 months dry and I have made the decision not to shy away from any “drinking” event with friends or colleagues. I would put people into three categories:
1) Impressed/admiring and not afraid to show it (95%)
2) Heavy banter/mickey taking, but then coming round and praising it (4%)
3) Unashamedly anti-sobriety (1%)
It’s the 4% that are hardest to handle. I have some stock jokes I reel out which diffuses the situation, but they are personal to me and wouldn’t work well for others. The 1% (actually only one person) is easy - why should I consider the opinion of a person who clearly doesn’t have any consideration for my interests or ambitions?
I have to say that I find the audible version so much more influential. When reading a self help book I find that I read from the page in the mood I am in, whereas the audio version is in the motivational mood that it needs to be in. Hope that helps somebody. Brilliant book.
I am now reading AC`s book for the 4th or 5th time …Each time I finish this book I have no trouble stopping,…. I actually believe that this time - IS IT. - then, about a month or so of working out, getting healthy and pretty much not even thinking about drinking - Bang - something happens and I find myself back in the pitcher, literally. Beer is my poison and I pretty much drink every evening at home, BY MYSELF. I find if I stay home I can control my consumption- pretty sad eh. If I go out,, I am at the mercy of the gods…As an Expat Businessman living and working in Thailand for 15 years , most would think, lucky bastard, life must be a cabaret. It probably should be…. Anyway, in saying all that, I am not sure where it will all end for me,, Though, I am sure that AC is the only real answer to rid oneself of this insidious disease. Good luck to all the battlers…. Pat
Hi Pat, How are you three months on?
You know, it does not matter about your lifestyle, drinking is a personal choice and if you have a habitual addictive personality then one is going to be hooked on something!
It can be the gym, healthy diet or a glass in hand every night…….the only way to do it is to block out the fact that you are stopping or thinking about it and to train your brain that you just don’t fancy one tonight but will have one tomorrow then do the same tomorrow and so on. Drink tons of water and brush your teeth over 4 times a day.
All the best Pat
I have just been searching to see what the public view Alan Carr method on drink .
My story is simple 12 years ago I quit cigarettes reading Alan Carr , a girl I know bought me the book . I quit cigarettes without any problem . A year later ( nearly 11 years ago ) I bought the book ” how to control alcohol ”
By Alan Carr . The reason I bought book was of the title . I didn’t want to quit drinking but I wanted to control alcohol . Halfway through the book I saw where it was going and stopped .
Then a while later I started reading the book again and read it all , on finishing on the 12 aug 2003 I have never drank again .
In fact I believe so much in the method that I am currently looking to bring the easy way to quit drink to Dublin Ireland . What a wonderful thing to be able to say that have helped people stop drinking without the need for willpower .
I have no willpower but I choose not to drink .
From reading a number of comments . The things that have struck me
1 - friends ( socialising with )
2 - relapses .
My own view is friends , very simple the true ones will back you ( you may have to listen to them talk lots of nonsense when they are drinking . Also a way of thinking is to almost have a slightly superior self belief . ( without ramming it Down people throat the quickest way to alienate people ). I believe I have a better and more fulfilling life without drink .
Relapses -
Now I have never had the need or desire . I believe that I am a non drinker . I do remember from the book that the mind will play tricks .
You do need to remember that that is all it is Mind tricks . It’s an old habit that I would like to Control drink not quit . Just remember the reasons why you choose not to drink and that will pass and just reaffirm in your own mind that you are a non drinker .
Hope this helps someone
John ( Dublin Ireland )
Hi John
Just finished the book, and found your blog helpful, only problem is my last drink is a bottle of red wine.
Drink has affected access to my kids which I am paying a fortune to improve through legal means. I need to prove that alcohol does not feature in my life, so that I can be at my best for me, and for the kids.
Could look at supporting you or bringing Easyway to Dublin and Cork if I can prove to myself it works ?
Regards
Mike (Cork)
I’ve been drinking nearly every day since 1991. Getting drunk in bars, drinking at home, alone or with friends. I used to be a “functional alcoholic”, going to work every day, not drinking before leaving work. But for about three years now, things are starting to disintegrate. Missing work, locked up at home, drinking all day. So I stopped drinking for about 45 days (with one slip-up; a 4-day bender). Now I’m on the tail end of a 1-week bender. I felt better when I was sober, but I found life to be really boring without booze. People are more boring too. But at this point, my job and girlfriend are hanging by a thread. I just don’t seem to care what happens to me. I don’t understand how people can keep forging ahead with their lives. It seems every single country is run by immoral sociopaths who are keen on pandering to huge, greedy corporations which are blithely destroying the planet. Democracy has become a joke, human rights practically nonexistent, and constitutions gleefully ignored. Even the so-called “good” countries, like my native Canada. I’m ashamed of what’s going on there now. And this is not partisan politics; the other parties are just as bad. Sorry to be so morose, but I don’t see much reason to be positive.
Eric: I”m Canadian, too. I hope you have read Allen Carr’s book since you posted your message in December. You will see life differently and you’ll know you don’t have to be a ‘functioning alcoholic’ who doesn’t care what happens.
I read Mr. Carr’s book three times since 2003 and relapsed three times. This new year, I thought, enough is enough…my addiction has gotten worse. I knew I could trust Mr. Carr again as his book on stopping smoking cured me of that addiction 15 years ago!
Last month, re-reading his stopping drinking book FINALLY “clicked” with me and I don’t have the desire to drink. Seriously. His method can and will work if you really want to stop since you know you have a problem. You can control the craving — the craving does not have to control you. Good luck.
I read this book and believing this crap would have killed me. Carr was not an alcoholic nor was he addicted to alcohol. A shame he whored himself out with a subject he knew nothing about.
I’ve been sober for almost 3 years now because of AA, got drunk every night pretty mych for 3-5 tears. Their steps works, his don’t!
Dan: Your comments show that you never read the book. You’ve obviously been indoctrinated by AA to reject the book without reading it. AA is crap. Their rate of success is ridiculously low.
Thank God for Allen Carr. Nearly died as a result of chain smoking. Finally stopped thanks to Allen Carr…failed miserably to stop drinking with AA (which is an abusive U.S. pseudo religion IMHO) Now thanks to Allen I’m finally free of the drugs trap (incidentally most of the sad morons in AA die of cigarettes!). Thank you Allen.
Read the book, I’m a little nervous - sometimes I still think I don’t have a problem - but I know it’s the monster talking. I have decided that I will use his advice. I also am not going to get rid of the booze in my house. I have to make it a choice of free will. I want to look at the bottles and choose to be free of the poison. So I have put new labels on them called “devastation”. For me the visualization of the pitcher plant trap was profound. I have searched the net for pictures. I printed pictures of the plants complete with dead and dying bugs in them and hung a few of them up around the house.
I look forward to having my natural confidence back instead of using the crutch.
Carr helped me quit the fags (7 years now and so pleased I don’t smoke). But drinking…..5/6 tins a day. Never get hangovers/problems but I know it could bring health issues and I sometimes choose to drink instead of going out in the evening. To quote Oliver Reed:
” I just love the way alcohol makes me feel”. It may be an illusion but then again life itself could also be just an illusion.So I am worried but
not overly-concerned.I also know that this is my inner voice/animal brain getting the better of me….as it has done with other desires over the years ! We’re all the same. There is no 100% answer to any problem.We must all muddle through and try our best.
I posted here back about 6 months ago and I thought I was over the alcohol trap. Since then, I have slid back down a handful of times - I can’t understand what my mental hurdle is. It seemed to be a monthly occurrence initially and then I got drunk 3 times in the past 2 weeks so I know where this is going. I look at hard liquor and spirits and beer as “Yuck – who would want to drink that.” But margaritas or white wine – one glass becomes a bottle (or even 2) and then you know the rest. I have lost about 10 pounds since January (quite a feat) and thought I would celebrate with a glass of wine. What a wonderful celebration that ended with a 2-day hangover.
I am re-reading the book again. I used his method to quit smoking and I used to sing the song, “I want to break free” by Queen in my head anytime I was tempted to smoke – maybe I need to do that with alcohol as well as visualize the little monster sitting in the glass! I would never touch cigarettes or try heroin – why don’t I see all alcohol in the same light yet?
I see through the blatant advertising of alcohol on the TV as a crock – how are they allowed to advertise how fun and cool it is? I have felt the peer pressure to have a drink even though I didn’t want it – I “pretended” to have a sip and then just tipped the contents in my husband’s glass. I don’t want to be seen as “uncool” or an alcoholic or someone who has a drinking problem. Where do I get my confidence to stand up to the 90%? I never had to deal with this when I quit smoking since it is so socially unacceptable!
Part of my problem is my husband still partakes – he comes home and “works” in the basement with his 6-pack or bottle of wine after we put kids to bed. I find that we are living separate lives so I don’t know where this might go…
I go to bed a lot earlier and have so much energy nowadays - the best part is that I am not grumpy mommy. You know I never envied a smoker after I quit because Allen Carr showed me how. Since becoming more aware when out with friends and I am sober, I have felt sorry for my buddies who have too much to drink in an evening - boy, they will feel it in the morning I say to myself – thank goodness that’s not me.
But I am looking for the Eureka and A-ha moment to know that I am over this time. I am still at that stage that I feel deprived some of the time (when I look at my favorite tipple). Has anyone else experienced this?
Hi Mary I’ve been up since 5am looking for some inspiration and there you were. I am in the same boat as you. I am nursing a head ache and cystitis from just a glass that turned into a bottle last night. I’m starting Jason vale`s version of Alan’s book. Read it Mary. And seeing our men drinking will be another reason to stay quit… Also read his turbo charge your life book… It will!!! Xxxxx love from London
hey mary. don’t give in or up. try carr again, i had to read him numerous times, on a daily basis, until it finally clicked. he is correct. his theory is so simple that it is brilliant. good luck!
Hi I was doing so well for the fags was on my 4th month feel so low now, went back on the cigs a few days ago when I had a one night stand, I read Alan Carr Book before , and gave them up for few years , I do belive in everything he saids , I am also a bringe drinking drink alone and crying ,I feel , Iam not needed in life have no job or partner feel empty inside the drink is making me ten time worse now cigs , in parts of like I would go to the gym most days and for swim love the out doors long walks, keep a nice home i outside world would not know, except for freinds that are big drinkers
Chris
You can get back on top of it - I know you can.
I used to smoke lightly but managed to stop when everyone stopped pestering me which reminded me TO smoke; I simply forgot to. Which proves some of Allen Carr’s theory on alcohol - I wasn’t physically addicted.
I am however struggling with alcohol addiction - which proves another of his points; there is no such thing as an “addictive personality”. I have read his “control [stop] alcohol” book once in part and failed to follow all his instructions (I was rushing to finish it before Lent) and have not managed to make any change, despite the fact that I wholeheartedly agreed with every single one of the arguments he makes. I ended up in tears of frustration with myself the first day after Lent started and I’d hit the wine bottle again. Partly because I know I am strong willed (enough both to get myself annorexic as a teenager, and be able to make myself eat my way better, out of it!); partly because I know - as I am sure you do - I am not stupid (I have a PhD in Biochemistry - how stupid is that!).
I’m going to finish the Allen Carr chapters I have not read; then read it from start to finish again - some of the wonderful contributers on here appear to have success after reading twice - and follow ALL his instructions this time. And book up for an Allen Carr alcohol clinic to hammer it home to myself.
Like you I love going for a swim every day - I will start that again too, to make good use of all this time I will now have on my hands not obliterated by booze.
Do this with me, would you? And ditch those “friends” - they are not your true friends, as I’m sure you know. I’ll be your online friend if you like!
Keep in touch through this website would you?
Kat x
Hi jlg
My advice is just to not panic, reset and then restart. I know that when I used the easyway to stop smoking, it took two attempts, but only two, and I quit for life. Re-reading is good, because the ‘inside out’ model of the books means that when it really works, it’s because it has taken away the desire to drink, rather than just convincing us to quit to avoid negative consequences. Persevere, Christmas was always going to be a difficult time, but you WILL get to the point where drinking becomes irrelevant in your life.
Read your book, alot of unaswered questios So what do you do if you mess up the Day after you finish the book but truly want to.
Hi all its Xmas eve 1430 have drank half bottle of wine after 3 months off-was given wine as a Xmas present at work a couple of weeks ago and am terrified of myself!!! Thinking I can hold on….but terrified…any advice? Have read Allen cares amazing book and am now re reading it…
Allen’s book is all about putting you in the drivers seat. You call the shots and put the monsters in their place. Right now you are being deceived. You are in a position where you are being controlled by alcohol and the thoughts are such that you feel sorry for yourself and self-sabotage will be the result. Re-read the book. Put yourself in control, climb back out of that pitcher plant and live !!!
I found your story inspiring Amanda. I feel I can do this too because you had the courage to share that story. You’ve all reminded me that the only traps are the ones you set in your own mind when you give false power to alcohol. The power is inside us all the time.
Thanks to Amandan and everyone for having the guts to share your experiences.
I would like to thank Allen Carr for giving me the tools to save my own life. 2 years ago, in October I on a stupor drank to the point of a semi-comatose state, that next morning I knew had to drive my children to school. They were having a Halloween party and I had to make sure they got there with all the goodies to share with the class. Knowing how inebriated I actually was… I still chose to drive them. “I thought to my self… I got this.” I am NOT proud of this. Not 5 minutes after my children arrived safely at school, I thank my childrens guardian angel’s. I passed out at the wheel… totaling our car wrecking into an on coming truck who pushed me into a phone pole…You would think after that day I would have learned my lesson…In fact it only caused me to drink more. The more I drank the lower I became… I have got so low, that I actually did in fact blame my drinking on my stress that everyone else gave me. I also told myself, I can stop… But I never did.
I have just finished Allen’s book. Merely 30 minutes ago. I started to read his book last Thursday December 6th 2012. The thought of quiting did scare me, after all drinking heavily for over 4 years… The last thing anyone could dream of is the EasyWay, to quit.
The last chapter where he asks you to take that last drink, I had no desire or need to, My last drink was December 8th 2012.
After I finished the book I cried I still can’t believe. I AM FREE!!! I WIN!!!
THANK YOU ALLEN.
You are a hero in my mind.
I quit smoking with Allen and now I’m gonna quit drinking and you’ve inspired me.
Hugs to you
what an inspiring story will order today. Well done
I see that you are concerned about your dad lalit? I think you should realize that your dad is doing something that is negative (getting drunk), but for a positive reason (to forget the stress of business). He is in a trap, but only he has the key to get out of the trap. Comment on the positives when around him. Don’t try anything negative. And be a role model. At least he has a positive reason, but he needs to realize that he does not need alcohol and that it is only making his life worse. You, on the other hand, have no reason for drinking, you just do. Be a role model. When your dad sees that you are no longer involved with alcohol he may picture himself alcohol-free. When he decides that he might want to seek help, get him Allen’s book.
Hi everyone,
i am a student n i drink ocassionally…
For me its not a bad thing because it aint my habit.
But the problem is my dad’s drinking habit regularly disturbing my studies.
I dont know what to do…i can’t evn shout at him because its not in my eticates.
He drinks regularly to forget the tenshion of business.
Plz suggest me, what should i do, how can i help my dad.?
I must get this book… Thank u
Quite simply the greatest book ever written. Enlightening. Once your eyes are opened to the truth about alcohol you will not need or desire it ever again. Rather than thinking I will never be able to drink again, you will find yourself thinking “isn’t it great to no longer need to drink.” You will cherish your freedom and be constantly amazed at how completely everyone else has been fooled.
One day this man’s genius will be properly recognized.
I am 48 yrs old, single mom of three and struggled with a dependance on alcohol. My drinking history would be intermittent. I would start by having a few beers once a week working up to a 6 pack every other day. then the guilts set in and i would abstain. after i divorced my husband (a heroin addict), i moved my kids and i from Long Island to Buffalo where i am originally from. I had lost everything the big house, our printing business, etc. that’s when my drinking was almost daily. i put myself in aa and quit for 5 months. thought i could “control” it and had a glass of wine. it built up again where i hid the wine in my closet and sipped on it throughout the nite. (hiding it from the kids because i had made a big deal about me going to aa and quitting i didn’t want them to know i started again. then i got a dwi. wow! it was scary and humiliating. i went into treatment and started hearing the aa dialogue. i knew that didn’t work for me. then i remembered “easy way” i had bought the book 5 years ago and skimmed it quit for 57 days. i went down in my basement and searched through boxes found it read it, highlighting important information that clicked for me. i feel free! it makes sense. removing the brainwashing was the key. i am almost done with my group part of treatment. people can see the change in me. i explained to them about the book and how concentrating on your quit date creates a sense of deprivation. i am amazed that lately i have had some trouble to deal with and i don’t immediately think “i want a beer” it has been lifted. i keep re-reading the book at night to reinforce the info, because sometimes i wonder if this is too good to be true. i acknowledge that thought and don’t dwell on it and go on about my day as a nondrinker. thank you alan for all you have given us!
Hi everyone,
I read Jason vale’s book and felt that it really helped me to see things clearly. I stopped drinking for six months and then started again. After months of feeling miserable, trying and failing to control my drinking, I read Allen carr’s book and I think I now understand where I went wrong the first time. I was always thinking, I hope this approach works and, I hope I never drink again. I think I had missed the point of Jason Vale’s book. Now having read the easy way, I realize that the only way I will drink again is if I decide to. It is up to me whether I drink again and like Allen said in his book, I only have a drinking problem if I drink the stuff and have that first taste! I always remind myself of the pitcher plant story and that it is all or nothing for me. I have no control when I drink and never will. I have been sober for a month now and am really happy. Today I felt like I wanted a glass of wine and before I would have panicked. This time I just thought that is only a dangerous thought if I act on it. I re read the book and the feeling passed. Good luck everyone x
Read the book 2 or 3 times - didn’t quite sink in. Booked a session with the AC therapist in Birmingham. Went last Friday and now on day 8 - no craves - quite brilliant - I feel free!
I heard the sessions are powerful. Wish they were held in the US too. Good luck.
I went to the session in London on the 11th January 2014, this is my 11th week sober. I had been drinking every evening for over 10 years, without a break; I seriously couldn’t imagine my life without alcohol. I read the book a couple of years ago but it didn’t quite click for me. I must say that there is no big epiphany moment at the sessions, well not for me anyway, however what it does do is remove the reasons you feel that you need to drink. When I walked home from the train station that evening I actually cried because I could finally say no to that little demon on my shoulder. I have booked myself in for a follow up session next week, I’m not drinking, but when it comes to the weekend I find it hard, I think because the weekends were my only guilt free drink. To be honest I’m actually scared to drink alcohol now, I don’t want to live like that anymore and would be so annoyed with myself if I did.
There are still ongoing changes in my life, my relationship with my friends revolved around drinking so its hard to get them to do much else, also my relationship with my fiancée is under strain, all the problems I could blot out with alcohol are now ever present. We are trying to get some counseling on the nhs as we’ve been together 10 years and have kids, I love her and want to stay together but some conversations just end in blazing rows. She’s never been a big drinker and she rightly holds some resentments from some of my selfish actions in the past.
Alcohol controlled a lot of my life, and I’m glad I don’t have to look in the bathroom mirror each morning and have that same bloody chat with myself, the “right, you are not going to drink tonight”, only for it to get to 4.30pm knowing that once more I was unable to say no again. I can’t really would give it a try if you are of it. I didn’t feel confident enough to try willpower alone and haven’t been to aa, so I have nothing to compare it to.
Hi this is my first day of not drinking again. I have stopped for short spells, once for over a year by going to AA but it really isn’t for me. Great people but the same stories over and over again were doing my head in. I have enjoyed reading your stories and feel inspired to really get my head round Allen’s easyway. I think I will start reading the book again. My husband drinks but if he wants to pour poison down his throat then that’s his choice. I started drinking to keep up with him but it is now affecting my health and I can’t go on or I will kill myself. I feel positive and more confident than ever before.
Iv ordered Allen Carrs book can’t wait to read it. I will keep ye posted after Iv started.
Hi guys, have read Allen Carr Easyway, no more Hangovers, and Jason Vales book on getting rid of the what is actually the bane of most drinkers lives, whether heavy drinkers, ‘normal drinkers or social drinkers (most occasional drinkers still feel ‘peer pressure’ to drink on occasions even though they may be known mostly as a non-drinker) I have witnessed this at wedding ‘toasts’ etc where they end up throwing it in a plant stand! If THEY feel that pressure than if we have a reputation of being a boozer it is hard to know where to go with this. Basically you have to put yourself first, remember this is the same peer pressure you felt as school when encouraged to have your first ciggie. Thats all it is, they are being selfish wanting you to make them feel better about their addiction, so be selfish yourself and if they feel uncomfortable - tough! This is YOUR life, you have to live it your way. One of the most effective, non-confrontational, and non-arguable responses I have heard yet from someone who gave up drinking was ” I just find life is better without the stuff these days” say it with a shrug and a smile, and remember, never envy a boozer, they will always secretly envy you! Good luck guys
I am ecstatic because I know that I have finally quit drinking! I read the Allen Carr Easyway to Stop Smoking and successfully quit over 10 years ago when I became pregnant so I know his method works! It makes me feel evangelical and I want to shout off the rooftops on how wonderful I feel. I bought the Easy Way to Control Alcohol in 2010 and read it off and on because I was scared of never being able to drink again – I was also trying to “moderate” my drinking in the meantime.
I picked up the book cover to cover after a particularly bad hangover from a binge last week (the hangover seemed to last 2 days so the poison was seeping out of me with each page I read). How do I know I am cured? The first challenge was to go to our favorite Mexican and not order a Margarita and I was fine with my husband drinking his beer. My husband has always been my best drinking buddy (notice I use the past tense). The next challenge was to let my husband know about my decision and he was okay with it – he was the one who bought me the Allen Carr Smoking book so he knows how effective the smoking cessation program is. His immediate response was what does this mean about going out for meals because “I like a drink with my meal.” And I said that we can still go out, but “I don’t need to pour any red wine on my steak”… My next challenge will be to go out with friends that we do a lot of drinking with this weekend and I have been preparing myself mentally for this– I plan on being the designated driver that evening and I know we won’t need to fall back on a cab which is what we have had to resort to in previous situations…
I would describe myself as a highly functioning alcoholic – I am a type-A personality who makes the trains run on time. I may not have been at my operational best with a hangover, but I still could get everyone to the station. I am not an AA type and I don’t want to wear it on my sleeve that I am a non-drinker. I had no problems not drinking when I was pregnant and nursing – it is such a social stigma not to drink during this time. You know when you need help –I have known my drinking has been a problem for the past 5 years and I was always waiting for that rock bottom to hit – I only wish I had read the book all the way through the first time - I will not be dragged down that pitcher plant again!
Good luck to you all - I have found this Allen Carr forum extremely encouraging!
I’ve never experienced any bad withdrawals, just a nagging urge to have a drink, but that goes after a few days. Apparently the systems can be similar to the flu, so not so bad really - go for it!!
I have been reading of all of the successes and even the ones that have attempted and fell back into drinking after many weeks. My question is. Has anyone had any bad withdrawals? This is a huge factor in my quitting.
JonC - I don’t know if this would help, but in trying to break associations, I started writing a little journal, and I add to it at times when those sort of feelings creep up.
For me, I thought it was because I was lonely / needed it to relax. Reading back, it was more that the odd wave of self-destruction re-surfaced, left over from the bad old days where oblivion was the only source of relaxation as far as I was concerned. Understanding it has helped break the association, and remind myself that it is just, after all, alcohol trying on the confidence tricks again..
Good luck - JJ
Well done Liz 🙂
I am really pleased. On day 37, and still teetotal. This is the longest stretch I have done in YEARS, and I feel great! I tell myself every day how proud I am of myself to put my health and wellbeing first, although actually until I read AC, I didn’t seem capable of abstaining for longer than 5 days (and actually let’s face it, most of the time it was less than that). I finally feel I am in control of of this socially accepted and encouraged addiction.
Wishing you all the best of luck, and health on this journey!
I’ve posted before, but latelty Angela I am having problems as well with breaking an association with alcohol. I can be a non-drinker all day and in social circumstances as well, but as soon as my wife is asleep I start drinking. I do not seem to be able to break this association. Like this is my time to play or something. Probably its my time to feel sorry for myself and why not drown my sorrows. Its wierd, because I have not drunk once socially since I read Allen’s book a year ago. So why can’t I break this ONE association. I, as well, would like help on this matter. Thanks anyone !!!! Your thoughts are appreciated.
yeah my association is cooking and wine, probably dates back to Keith Floyd and Graham Kerr the galloping gourmet (years ago) who used to be cooking and would stop and say, ‘time for a quick slurp’ which became is catchphrase. Allen Carr was so right about the brainwashing
I too had association with cooking and drinking alcohol. Angela, Jon & Karen, i remember from reading the end of the “ONLYway” smoking book that Associations or triggers for drinking alcohol are still all part of the brainwashed image. Dont get down about it, its not your fault. We have received powerful conditioning from birth in associating alcohol with relaxation, pleasure, sociability and escape. If you imbibe alcohol for any of these reasons, then it could be that you are still holding onto some of the memories of pleasure you experienced when you were brainwashed (if you have read AC book). Escape, relaxation, sociability and pleasure are impossible to obtain from any drug! These things come from within us. Alcohol robs us of these joys.
Any ideas on breaking associations with alcohol? Mine is cooking and drinking at night (not good for the waistline! Any thoughts would be appreciated.
So far so good… day 10.. Feeling generally so much better. In fact, my biggest anxiety is not that I at all fancy an alcoholic drink, but the worry that I might, and not be able to deal with it at the time. The old schizophrenic state of mind that Carr cover in the book.
Not sure if anyone can offer any suggestions, but are there support groups (or just general social groups) around other than AA because whilst I don’t feel AA is the right thing for me (for similar reasons to Rick), I know that I am quite isolated and it would help to be in more social atmosphere (without alcohol being on the agenda) at times when I feel low and therefore a bit tempted to ignore the obvious and have a glass or several..
Would be grateful for any suggestions. Good luck and health to all x