The IMC is like any other rating - a licence to learn! When I got mine, I knew (cos I had an excellent instructor) not to try to use it for a long trip in IMC.
After many more hours, some with that instructor, I do now file IFR and fly in IMC for a long stretch, and even enjoy it sometimes. It's an excellent rating if used sensibly - and, like a PPL, a licence to kill yourself if you do it wrong.
I'd LOVE a CAA/JAA IR, but that's not attainable for a bloke like me. FAA IR is on my short-term plan (had a crack at it in September, but enough of that).