Allen Carr: The Easy Way Method – A Tried And Tested Winner
Introducing Allen Carr: The Easy Way to Quit Vaping. With a very high number of positive reviews and ratings in the Amazon book store for those using his self-help book, this unique method to quitting vaping has become a big hit amongst vapers.
Allen Carr (1934–2006) was a British author and the founder of a highly successful method for overcoming addiction, most notably smoking. He became a household name with his best-selling book The Easy Way to Stop Smoking which revolutionised approaches to quitting smoking and other addictive behaviours, which has now been adapted to vaping under his Easy Way brand.
His journey began with his own struggle to quit smoking. A long-time chain smoker, he developed his method after finally quitting. His approach is unique in that it focuses on addressing the psychological aspects of addiction rather than relying on willpower, substitutes, or scare tactics.
Here, I will be summarising the main techniques adopted in his ‘Easy Way Method’ specific for vaping, how you may wish to choose this a method to adopt in your battle to overcome vaping addiction, and provide examples of the many positive reviews given towards his highly respected work.
The Easy Way Philosophy
At the heart of Allen Carr’s method is the idea that addiction is rooted in mental conditioning. The Easy Way approach helps you:
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- Challenging Beliefs: Carr helped individuals recognise the illusions surrounding addiction, such as the idea that smoking relieves stress or is enjoyable.
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- Removing Fear: He emphasised removing the fear of withdrawal and life without the addictive substance.
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- Freedom Mindset: Instead of framing quitting as a sacrifice, it is presented as liberation from an unnecessary crutch.
How it Differs From Traditional Methods
Most traditional methods for quitting vaping focus on substitution or willpower, whereas the Easy Way Method has a focus on reframing mindset. In comparison to conventional methods, the argument presented is:
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Products like patches or gum still prolong nicotine dependency and can be costly {unless through a Smoking Cessation Clinic where generally free}.
Willpower Alone
Willpower relies on battling against a deeply ingrained belief that vaping provides benefits, and creates a perception that quitting is a sacrifice, creating emotional and psychological tension.
Hypnosis/acupuncture
Costly, no money back-guarantee if ineffective. {Also, an addition to this is that this is not an evidence-based treatment for nicotine dependency in smoking}
Introducing The Easyway Method
Allen Carr’s Easyway bypasses all of this with a ‘cold turkey’ approach, reframing your relationship with vaping rather than substituting or reducing it. This makes the process feel less like deprivation and more like liberation.
Key points include:
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- Thinking about vaping
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- Socialising as normal
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- Look forward to process and end result
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- Be cool about withdrawal
This is clearly a novel method as most other forms of treatment, such as CBT which is also evidenced-based for smoking and other addictions, promotes behavioural changes such as avoidance of social situations which may involve triggers, including being around other vapers, and cognitive techniques involving distraction when thoughts of vaping or cravings occur.
Debunking The Myths
Carr argues that most people vape because of misconceptions. These include:
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- ‘Vaping helps me relax.’ Nicotine doesn’t relieve stress; it causes it. (This is because nicotine causes adrenaline release and an overactive nervous system with chronic use.)
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- ‘I enjoy vaping.’ Addiction tricks you into believing you enjoy something harmful.
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- ‘Vaping is less harmful than smoking.’ While vaping may reduce some risks, it introduces new dangers and perpetuates nicotine addiction. (I believe this is a little controversial, as it depends how you define ‘harmful’ – vaping, at least in the short term, has been shown to be safer in terms of physical risks than smoking as it lacks the cancer producing chemicals cigarettes do, but we don’t know long-term risks. But, in terms of nicotine addiction being perpetuated, I completely agree.)
Step-by-step Guide
He dismantles these myths, empowering readers to see vaping for what it is: a psychological trap perpetuated by false beliefs about the benefits of the substance or behaviour, with ‘little and big monsters’ as thoughts keeping you wrapped in the mental cycle.
Step 1 – Understand The Problem
The first step to quitting is understanding why you vape. Easy Way helps unveil the myths surrounding vaping, as above, and replaces them with empowering truths.
Step 2 – Find The Right Programme
Whether you’re reading Allen Carr’s book, attending a seminar, or taking part in an online course, choose the Easy Way format that best suits you.
Step 3 – Follow The Guidance
Follow the structured steps, which include reframing your mindset, addressing nicotine addiction, and breaking the psychological habit of vaping.
Step 4 – Enjoy Your Last Vape
One principle is that you can vape during the process – there’s no pressure to stop right away. By the time you’re ready for your last vape, quitting feels natural and effortless.
Step 5 – Reclaim Freedom
After completing the program, you’ll find yourself free of vaping without feeling deprived. The desire is simply gone.
Step 6 – Stay Committed
Even if rare moments of temptation arise, Easy Way provides tools to maintain your mindset and avoid relapse.
The Evidence
So, we have explained the Easy Way method and how it works, but how effective is it as a form of treatment for vaping cessation? Well, the evidence-based answer is we don’t know. As per the harms of vaping, there is scarcity in evidence in proving its efficacy specifically related to vaping. However, what we do know, is the it has a good evidence based for quitting smoking.
One argument could be is that nicotine is nicotine, and the addiction is the same. Therefore, we would expect similar results using the Easy Way method for vaping vs smoking. Furthermore, the thoughts and behaviours related to smoking addiction are very similar to vaping addiction, so the results from smoking using the method should also add weight to the argument the results are likely to be very similar.
However, there are differences in how quickly nicotine levels peak in your system between vaping and smoking (smoking causing a quicker peak, and therefore higher addictive potential), and one of the ‘attractions’ and marketing tools used with vapes is the various flavours than can add to their temptation.
These could mean that another side of the argument is there are differences, and that the results from smoking trials should be applied with caution to vaping and a rough guide.
Personally, I favour the former. I think the huge number of positive testimonies from ex-vapers and a loyal fan-base that swear by the method, after failing various others, speaks for itself. This awaits formal trials, which I suspect will come with time. You can form your own opinion how you see fit.
See the results below for smoking cessation:
The success rate at Allen Carr’s Easyway Centres is over 50% after 12 months as indicated in independent scientific studies in peer review journals.
It is also more effective than established government programmes including the gold standard NHS 1-1 service & the Irish Health Service’s Quit.ie
NICE guidance on treating tobacco dependence says that the Easyway in-person group seminar should be available through the NHS for adults who smoke.
Wrapping it Up
Allen Carr’s Easy Way is a game-changer for those struggling to break free from nicotine addiction in the form of smoking, and this is backed by high-level evidence. I believe this can be translated across to nicotine addiction in the form of vaping given distinct similarities between the two in terms of thoughts and behaviours, and is backed by a significantly large volume of anecdotal evidence in the form of testimonies.
It shifts the focus from willpower to mindset, making the process of quitting seamless and empowering. If you’re ready to take back control and live a healthier, happier life, this method provides a proven roadmap to success.
See the link here to read further information from the website including links to the medical references found at the bottom of the page.
I have read the book myself, and it greatly helped me. It’s not for everyone if you choose against the ‘cold turkey’ approach, but I would suggest for the small investment in relative terms against the health benefits and liberation you gain as a result, it’s definitely worth a shot.
Disclaimer: I have no affiliate links to Allen Carr’s Easyway Method and my views are my own.
