Difficult Quote by Allen Carr
““We think of stopping smoking as something that is very difficult to do. What do we need when we have something difficult to do? We need our little friend. So stopping smoking appears to be a double blow. Not only do we have a difficult task to perform, which is hard enough, but the crutch on which we normally rely on such occasions is no longer available.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, Allen Carr, 1985
Quitting smoking feels harder because it removes a familiar coping aid, making the challenge feel double.
In simple terms: Stopping smoking removes a comforting habit, making it seem harder.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the loss of the habit and find new coping tools.
Themes
addiction
behavior change
coping mechanisms
Mood
frustrated
determined
Type
motivational
advice
When to use this quote
- quitting smoking
- stress management
- support groups
- therapy
Key Concepts
psychology
habit formation
self‑efficacy
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternative coping strategies can replace the habit?
- How does reliance on a habit affect resilience?
A Different Perspective
The difficulty may also stem from underlying stressors, not just the habit.
![“I'm basically a libertarian. I don't want to restrict anyone from doing anything unless it's going to harm me. I don't want [to] pass a law stopping someone from smoking. It's just too dangerous. You lose the concept of a free society. Since we are genetically so diverse and our brains are so…” quote by James D. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b13/james-d-watson-4724_aspiration_i-m-basically-a-libertarian-i-don-t-want_2546909.jpg)
