As a collection of expert opinions, it features conversations with the world’s top experts in addiction. The book, besides covering many types of addiction, also covers issues such as cross-addiction and the causes of addiction. The Empathy Exams author’s stunning book juxtaposes her own relationship to addiction with stories of literary legends like Raymond Carver, and imbues it with rich cultural history. The result is a definitive treatment of the American recovery movement—a memoir in the subgenre like no other. When reading addiction treatment and recovery literature, you’ll often come across different terms that refer to the same general concept.
- This book is highly recommended for anyone who, like me, is or was terrified of living a boring life.
- When she witnesses the murder of her childhood friend at the hands of a police officer, she must reconcile her two different worlds.
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- Although this book isn’t specifically about alcohol recovery, it has become a go-to guide in many recovery circles.
By addressing causes rather than symptoms, it is framed as a permanent solution rather than lifetime struggle. It removes the psychological dependence; allowing you to easily drink less (or stop drinking entirely). Describing an emotional roller coaster, author Amanda Andruzzi wrote her “Hope Street” memoir to provide insight into Bored, Bored, Bored, and Overeating what it’s like to live with an addict and be a co-addict. Anyone dealing with a spouse or a family member suffering from addiction can relate to the situations described. Amanda’s writing will make you feel understood and let you know that experiences of feeling alone and fearing to leave an addicted partner can be much alike.
Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story Of How Many Thousands Of Men And Women Have Recovered From Alcoholism
“The Big Book” is the definitive book in the 12-step recovery program, outlining how 100 people in Alcoholics Anonymous quit drinking. For more books about alcoholism and addiction, check out https://accountingcoaching.online/how-to-stop-drinking-out-of-boredom-tips-and/ this list of 100 must-read books about addiction. When 15-year-old Cat moves to a new town in rural Michigan, she’s ecstatic to find a friend in Marlena, a beautiful, pill-popping neighbor.
John Mulaney Confronts Addiction in His New Netflix Special – The New Yorker
John Mulaney Confronts Addiction in His New Netflix Special.
Posted: Tue, 25 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Know My Name by Chanel MillerThis should be compulsory reading in every high school. Miller was long known as Emily Doe, the anonymous victim of a sexual assault at Stanford University and the voice behind a viral victim impact statement that changed the terms of debate around consent, violence and rape. With this book she breaks her anonymity, describing the jarring moment of waking into trauma and victimhood, and the onerous emotional and legal battle that followed.
“This Naked Mind” by Annie Grace
Ordinary Girls by Jaquira DíazA tale of survival more than recovery, Díaz’s memoir is about unlearning the powerful ideas we are raised with – in this case, that violence and chaos are normal. Díaz writes of her childhood in a public housing project in Puerto Rico and, later, Miami Beach, and an adolescence marked by “juvenile delinquency” and marred by violence, addiction, mental illness, and abuse. Díaz’s resilience – and success – in the face of mighty obstacles registers as part luck, part strength, and part audacity.
I’ve dug into memoir after memoir, tiptoed into the hard science books, and enjoyed the fiction from afar. The following are a smattering of the books about alcoholism I’ve found meaningful. This book reads like a conversation, and teaches us to get curious. Gilbert helps us understand the noisy voice in our head, which can often be our greatest critic.
Best for family members
No story of addiction would be complete without a history of the temperance movement (which originally argued for moderation before favoring total abstinence) as well as Alcoholics Anonymous and its 12-step program. Fisher provides a very detailed history of A.A., much of which information is out there already, and delves into rehab and outpatient programs. This book is written from a different perspective and tells the story of an addiction treatment professional who got caught up in alcoholism. Written by Michael Pond and Maureen Palmer, “The Couch Of Willingness” testifies that addiction is a disorder that does not discriminate. Michael, a respected and successful man with a beautiful family, finds he can no longer cope with the pressure after two decades of helping patients with addiction. This book can help anyone who is struggling with alcohol problems relate to similar experiences, learn more on the nature of addiction, gather information, seek help and stay sober.
- More than anything, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts provides a voice of kind generosity and understanding to anyone who is looking to learn more for themselves or a loved one.
- Grace analyzes how addiction happens and dissects the relationship between drinking and pleasure, assuring readers that recovery isn’t just a difficult process — it’s a path to happiness.
- We’ve included books written by people who have experienced addiction themselves and professionals who have experience treating SUDs, addiction, and working with people in recovery.
- All in all, “Survivors Of Addiction” examines the healing process, by getting deep into the WHY’s and HOW’s of addiction recovery.
It explores how society’s perception and targeted marketing campaigns keeps groups of people down while simultaneously putting money into “Big Alcohol’s” pockets. Whitaker’s book offers a road map of non-traditional options for recovery. It is well-researched, educational, informative, and at times mind-blowing. This is a must read for anyone passionate about https://accountingcoaching.online/what-is-a-halfway-house-what-to-expect-in-halfway/ exploring their relationship with alcohol and the role a patriarchal system has played in rising rates of unhealthy substance use in America. If you or a loved one lives with addiction or a less severe substance use disorder, books written by people who’ve experienced similar circumstances can help you feel less alone and remind you that recovery is possible.
Books to Help You Drink Less, or Quit Altogether
Written by a cognitive neuroscientist with former substance use struggles, Marc Lewis emphasizes the habitual reward loop in the brain that can cause a substance use disorder to develop. This book also examines the brain’s ability to create new neural pathways and lose the desire to use substances. Lewis provides a description of life in recovery that I relate to myself; that sober life is not a life of deprivation, but one of fulfillment, continued growth, and personal development. I will read anything Clare Pooley writes simply because she is a magical storyteller. The Sober Diaries is one of the best books in the quit lit category.
