What books have you read on addiction or recovery?

self-care
mental-health
#1

Do you guys have books that have been really great for you, or you’ve really enjoyed, or made a difference for you?

And why?

Thanks!

How do you bring yourself back to empathy?
What can I do to get my son to admit he is an addict. He is 35 yrs old
How do I support his sobriety and also my own needs?
#2

Not a book :slight_smile: BUT here’s an article on why choose empathy over tough love <3

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/08/10/636556573/families-choose-empathy-over-tough-love-to-rescue-loved-ones-from-opioids

#3

“Dry” by Augusten Burroughs sheds a great light on the life of someone struggling with alcohol abuse, the events leading up to a 30-day inpatient rehab stay, and the things that present as barriers to overcome when returning back to Manattan life following inpatient treatment. I like this a lot because it highlights the realities of inpatient treatment, and the challenges one can face when re-entering the “real world” following treatment.

#4

Life changing for me was Beyond Addiction: How science & kindness can help people change

#5

Agreed this is a fantastic book!

#8

I concur that Beyond Addiction was an excellent book. I think the CRAFT approach has the ability to change the tides of this epidemic. If there was more professional help in training families in how to utilize this approach, it could make a big difference.

#6

I concur that Beyond Addiction was an excellent book. I think the CRAFT approach has the ability to change the tides of this epidemic. If there was more professional help in training families in how to utilize this approach, it could make a big difference.

#7

Inside Rehab gave me a lot of insight into to world of rehabs, and what we should look for and what we should avoid!

#9

Codependent No More was an eye opener for me regarding just how inmeshed I was with my mother & her disease, & how it had led me to need constant validation from others.

#11

It was hard for me to read Codependent No More (my sponsor made me) but I did understand my birth family dynamics better after reading it and understand some of my own automatic reactions that were not helpful.

#14

@Julie_Smith Curious to know: what did you find difficult about it?

#15

@katie I would be glad to chat privately about my reaction to this book. I’m not sure how to get you my personal contact information.

#10

One book I’ve read recently that has helped me be more open-minded in general is “How to Change Your Mind” by Michael Pollan about psychedelic research. It reminds me that different drugs can’t be lumped together into one category. Indeed, the same drug can cause harm for one person and help another. I am reading “Unbroken Brain” currently. The book “Refuge Recovery” is for those with addiction. It’s a different take on addiction recovery, an alternative to 12-step that uses Buddhist concepts such as mindfulness and meditation practice. “When the Servant Becomes the Master” has medical information about the effects of different drugs. “Breathing Under Water” by Richard Rohr is a deeper spiritual approach to the 12 steps.

#12

Haven’t yet, but I’m interested in reading The Abstinence Myth by Dr Adi Jaffe.

“Breaking free of outdated explanations and rigid “rules” for recovery, The Abstinence Myth offers a hopeful, research-based framework for transformation by an addiction expert and renowned TEDx speaker who overcame his own addiction and has guided hundreds of clients into lives of joy and purpose.”

#13

@Jane I like where the article says: “CRAFT is authoritative parenting, creating a sense of responsibility in the child, and at the same time saying, 'I am here for you; I love you; I’m going to help you; but I can’t help you avoid negative consequences if you’re not looking to do that on your own.’”

#16

Here are a few books on managing pain that offer a new perspective!
Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection
The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain

#17

In The Realm Of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté is one of the most eye-opening books I’ve ever read in terms of understanding the links between trauma and addiction, as well as understanding the ways in which people with substance abuse issues and those without are not so different.

I also love the book Lost Connections by Johann Hari, which talks about the societal contributions to a culture of mental illness. He also has a book about addiction called Chasing the Scream that I haven’t read but have heard good things about.

#19

I just added Chasing the Scream to my Goodreads list this week, I’m excited to check it out! Good to hear you liked Lost Connections. I haven’t heard anything about that one from someone that has read it.

Why does my boyfriend / sons father shut me out?
#18

Clean: Overcoming Addiction and Ending America’s Greatest Tragedy by David Sheff.

Beyond Addiction as others have already mentioned is a must read.

Al-Anon literature has been extremely helpful in my recovery process, especially the daily readers Courage to Change and Hope for Today, and How Al-Anon Works.

#20

Hi! We blog on this topic all the time based on mine and my partner’s experience in recovery. Check out our resources at https://youareaccountable.com/blog.