3 comments about Take Control of Your Drinking...And You May Not Need to Quit.

1. I believe "Take Control of Your Drinking...And You May Not Have to Quit"
   provides a perspective that will allow doors to open that have previously
   been slammed shut. To give the option and tools to practice moderation as
   opposed to giving up alcohol entirely will encourage some to try change that normally wouldn't. The book doesn't avoid the issue that some must
   abstain.
   It is a to the point, informative and easy read that allows people who are ready to jump right into the process.
   This is a resource that should be in every health practioner's library.



2. It is widely acknowledged that the first step toward recovery is admission of a problem. With this book, Dr. Levy gives us clear and concise tools for addressing that admission, and attaching a reasonable approach to it. If you are willing to take a hard, honest look at your drinking behavior, Dr. Levy has provided a guide to help assess if YOU are all the help that YOU need. Bravo, Dr. Levy, for giving us all a leg up to the first step.



3. I teach a college course on alcohol and drug abuse treatment, and I have suggested this book as reading to my class. This book is an easily understandable and user-friendly guide that could help anyone concerned with their alcohol use to either cut down or stop drinking.

5 comments about Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism/Third Edition.

1. Popular? Yes! A good guide to life? Well I don't know about that.... Rating this book is like rating the Holy Bible. Unfortunately, that's how it is regarded by many in this day & age. I am a recovered alcoholic who found solace in learning to trust my gut, instead of trusting a book written by a stockbroker with only 3 years sober. I did go to AA and one of the first things I heard was "It takes two years to get your brain out of hock, and 3 more to unscramble them". How many years sober did Mr. Wilson have again when he penned this text? Gee... by his own definion, he was rather foggy brained when he wrote his own religion. Hmmmmm..... I can't argue that many people adore this book, people are generally lazy, and enjoy having a "life" handed to them on a platter. So be it.



2. this book gave me a working relationship with power grater than myself ,that deepens day bye day. I owe my life to this book.



3. While AA may not be the answer for everyone, it is for many thousands of alcoholics and others. 12-Step programs are popular in many places now, based on the Steps to recovery first written in this book. Alcoholics Anonymous has never been on any best seller list, but it has sold over 20 million copies. This is good reason to take seriously what the authors say in this book. I can add my personal testimonial: the 12 Steps have changed my life for the better. Given the choice between potential death or 12 Steps, I will take the Steps!



4. a great book. each time i read it i gain many new insights. the stories at the end of the book reached me 1st. years later i began a serious "working of the steps". through that serious work i did undergo a "profound personality change" which has served me quite well. if a person can accept the sometimes old-fashioned language there is really a lot here that can be profoundly helpful. AA is not the only answer for the alocoholic but it has worked for millions so should at least be taken seriously. In my experience many things heard in an AA meeting do not reflect the premises in this book. So a person has to be smart. read the book, listen at meetings(if you go) but think, read & contemplate. After 20 years of sobriety i return to this book over & over. Not only for a deep comfort but for inspiration & guidance. one last thought: i don't take myself or "everything" so seriously, but i do take my sobriety seriously. good luck - it is a life "second to none".



5. AA isn't for everyone, only those who can't stop by themselves, it's pretty simple. And as you can see from some previous reviewers, "SOME ARE SICKER THAN OTHERS". Only the most closed and narrow minded won't be able to make it work. All it takes is a little willingness and honesty. Everyone dies someday and in one aspect, an alcoholic has 3 choices. Die Drunk, Die drunk and having failed at AA, Die sober. Just beyond me though at how some people can be so hateful of those striving for the third option or the "cult" that brings it all together.

4 comments about My Dad Loves Me, My Dad Has a Disease: A Child's View: Living with Addiction.

1. This is one of the only resources I could find to aid in my work with children of addicts. It is easy to use and gives a good structure for addressing issues of addictions from a childs point of view.



2. A rare find. While most other publications are geared to teenagers or adults living with addicted parents, this book offers younger children's perspectives. It combines young children's artwork and observations about the problems they have to cope with along with a helpful guide/workbook to help explain this disease. Reading through this with a 6 year old was an amazing experience. In the first chapter, she was able to recognize the signs and understand that others are going through the same experiences. I wish there were more books like this.



3. Great book for explaining alcoholism to kids. They seemed to relate to the pictures. I will read it to them on occasion.



4. I received this book when I was a teenager. At the time, my mother was married to a drug addict and one of the counselors at the treatment program recommended it. Also, those many years ago, it only applied to alcoholics. I found it to be a very, very helpful book. Seeing my own experiences through the eyes of much younger children really helped me to understand what I was going through and not feel alone. I am so happy to see that it has been updated to include drug addiction and mothers. I know this book will continue to make a valuable impact on the lives of many children.

5 comments about Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul: Your Personal, Portable Support Group with Stories of Healing, Hope, Love and Resilience (Chicken Soup for the Soul).

1. The Chicken Soup books have been a good read in the past. This one seemed to be the perfect Christmas gift for friends in recovery, so I purchased three copies (there were no reviews to assist my decision.) After reading some of the book, I quickly became disappointed. The stories seem to lack substance or the inspiration experienced in other Chicken Soup books. The stories described difficult events, but no insight as to how the individuals came to find peace and serenity. Basically it was, "I had this situation, and now I don't." In the future, I will wait until there are reviews to guide my purchases.



2. What a wonderful collection of inspiring pieces from a broad section of the recovering community. Each story offers a glimpse at the challenges faced and how individuals reclaimed what was rightfully theirs - health, happiness and hope. I'd recommend it for anyone entering recovery as well as those who are already living a recovering lifestyle.



3. I think you can't go wrong with this book. The stories are encouraging and uplifting which is what someone in recovery needs, in my opinion. I've even highlighted pages so that I can go back and re-read what really spoke to me. I'd recommend buying this book in heartbeat.



4. Dear K, I love the book and I'm so glad you were published in it because otherwise I might not have read it. After 18 years of sobriety, I'm still inspired by an individual's story of addiction, the necessary desperation that leads to the first step, and their journey to recovery. Although it's the kind of book I might reread, when I'm finished I'll probably pass it on to someone that I think needs to read it and hope it keeps getting passed along until it's worn out. This book won't go out of style. PAP



5. This book inspires and encourages continued recovery. Highly recommended for those directly and indirectly involved with recovery.

5 comments about Just for Today: Daily Meditations for Recovering Addicts.

1. Simple messages for people who like to complicate life. I've lost track of how many times, the daily meditation has been exactly what I need to hear. I read it every morning, and every night, it really helps me deal with "stinking thinking". Highly Recommended for all addicts.



2. This bookis a life saver of Narcotics Annonymous. I love the quotes in it would not be without it



3. No matter how many times I've read a particular daily meditation, every reading brings a new understanding of the spiritual principle being discussed. This book encourages new layers of recovery year after year. I'm grateful so many people came together to share a new way to live, one day at a time. I've also been told that if you read the entire chapter in the Basic Text that the day's subject quote comes from you'll read the entire Basic Text in a year.



4. This is a great daily meditation book for addicts in recovery. It is available for only 7.70 brand new from the NA website, www.na.org, where you can also find meetings near you.



5. This book is a valuable tool for sobriety, though alone it will not keep you sober. It is a daily meditation book for those with substance abuse problems.

No comments about Love First: A Family's Guide to Intervention.

5 comments about Becoming Naturally Therapeutic: A Return To The True Essence Of Helping.

1. Ms. Small's book is considered a "classic" in the field of counseling persons with addictive illness for very good reasons. Her writing is very clear, concise, jargon-free (a huge plus in a field where some books require a separate glossary to understand the terminology! ), and extremely practical. Her utilization of brief and to-the-point clinical excerpts from counseling sessions are always appropriate and are followed up by additional applications. Her chapter on "Confrontation," will, once and for all, help novice and experienced clinicians understand that it does not mean dealing with your or the client's anger, lying, transference, etc.; it is simply a way to directly help the other grasp the essence of their beliefs, communication(s) and behavior(s) in non-shaming ways. Highly recommended to anyone considering counseling on either side of the equation and/or significant others of persons with addictive issues. One of the best i've run across in my 20+ years in the field.Also recommended to anyone interested in the qualities of a healer/effective therapist.



2. Exceptional. Very practical. The author does a great job giving real examples for each of the therapeutic traits she espouses. I have worked with troubled youth for about 6 years and regularly refer to her book in my work with students and in coaching other staff. Very easy read, easily understandable, and right on the money! A great resource for anyone and everyone who fully engages in relationships with friends, lovers, clients.



3. This book is written in plain English and is easy to read. I enjoyed it so much that I purchased several copies a had them sent to my friends.



4. I needed this book for school, someone stole my first book so I needed to buy a new one. I have delt with Amazon before so I knew I was in good hands, with quality service, and fast shipping before my next class.



5. Jacquelyn Small writes about the natural work of being a helper. She writes for both the professional community of counselors and social workers as well as the real world of families. Some of her skills are directed at working with those with problems of chemical dependency and alcoholism, but she covers the aspects of toxic ways of relating and looking at how to come from the heart. She covers, in plain English, the skills of empathy, genuineness, respect, self-disclosure, warmth, immediacy, concreteness, confrontation, potency and self-actualization. In each section she gives clear examples of how the skill will look in real life, and how it should not be done.

5 comments about The Tao of Sobriety: Helping You to Recover from Alcohol and Drug Addiction.

1. I love to read and re-read this book. It's not just about being sober, it's about being human. I feel like I have a personal private therapy session every time I pick up this book to read various passages. It is like you are being personally addressed and all your issues are diminished and you get "freed up". I only wish these authors were "on the road" giving seminars or something but, alas, don't find anything online about that. A truly, loving, supportive, forgiving friend is found when reading these pages. Thank you.



2. I found this book to be a helpful and useful way to look at one's self not only in the context of alcoholism or addiction, but in the context of life in general. This book comes from a very positive or affirming perspective, encouraging us to forgive ourselves, let go of the past, and take the steps to write our own script for the future.
   
   (I agree with another reviewer's characterization of this as a book on Buddhism rather than Taoism, but that is somewhat beside the point.)



3. This workbook is the best cognitive approach (CBT) to recovery that I have read so far. Outstanding and easy to comprehend.
   `
   In the 12-Step Programs, those of us who have not experienced an anthropomorphic God (i.e., one who intervenes in human affairs) have an uphill battle with the religionists who want to promote their Higher Power (usually Jesus). Even my beloved Bill W. wrote the Chapter to the Agnostics, which has been used by more than one sponsor to clobber my agnosticism.
   `
   For 18-years, my Higher Power was my Home Group and the Big Book.
   But it wasn't until I started using a cognitive-behavioral approach to recovery, and Buddhism for my spirituality that I really began having success in changing my "stinking thinking." So I don't care whether my binge drinking is a disease, heredity or part of my PTSD, all I know is that finally, after 20-years of effort, I am finally "happy, joyous & free." Thank you Bill W. for starting my journey & thank you Buddha & David Gregson for helping me put the icing on the cake.
   `
   For those interested, the following is a non-theistic summary of my 12-Step Program:
   `
   The Principles of the 12-Steps:
   1. Honesty
   2. Hope
   3. Faith
   4. Courage
   5. Integrity
   6. Willingness
   7. Humility
   8. Empathy
   9. Justice
   10. Perseverance
   11. Spirituality
   12. Service
   `
   Three Cardinal Rules of Sobriety:
   1. Stay Sober NO MATTER WHAT !!
   2. Change the Brain from its Stinking Thinking !!
   .....(using cognitive therapy if necessary)
   3. Help Others Stay Sober !!
   `
   How to Work a 12-Step Program:
   1. For the 1st 90-days, Be Quiet (except to ask questions).
   2. For the 1st year, LISTEN and LEARN.
   3. From Day-1, PRACTICE What You Learn.
   4. Teach Others the Program (when you sponsor someone).
   `
   And when the religionists put the heat on you, just say that the Home Group is your Higher Power. If they really know the program, they will let it go at that.



4. Reading this book was a key turning point in my recovery. It really put everything into perspective for me and strengthened my commitment to remaining sober and living a live of commitment to love and well-being for all. I gave it to my mom as a gift as well, and she's not in recovery.



5. It must be remembered that this book is written by 2 psychologists.
   Buddism and its philosophy, teaching and meditations are very conducive to a pshychological bent.
   But I felt they stretched the ideals of Buddism and innocence to better coincide with the Christian 12 steps. The idea to give yourself totally up to God, and relieve the mind and soul of guilt and shame is quite different than Buddism.
   Buddism allows choice and therefore, though born innocent, you are responsible for your karma.
   
   It is a useful book to change negative ways of thought.
   But be mindful of where similarities exist and where they are stretched.

5 comments about There's More to Quitting Drinking Than Quitting Drinking.

1. I think it would be good supplemental reading for folks early into their recovery. It's OK reading for old timers.



2. This book clearly explains the sickness of alchoholism and how to deal with someone who suffers from this disease. It assisted me in making some very important decisions and changes in my life.



3. This book was the next logical step in the pursuit of long term recovery and the work necessary for the individuals seeking a deeper understanding of alcoholism and it's relation to daily living once sobriety is underway. Dr Paul O. sights many additioinal resources that the reader may find helpful and enlightening for their own personal journey. Many of us will realize in a very short period of time that there IS more to quitting drinking than just the physical aspects of being sober or not taking that next drink. You will find that here.



4. This is an excellent book. It is full of highlights and dog-eared pages for me to go back to.



5. I have not yet completed reading this book but find I can only absorb a small amount at one time and some of the concepts are way over my head. This would probably be a better read for someone who has been or is currently a member of AA.

4 comments about As Bill Sees It: The A. A. Way of Life ...Selected Writings of the A. A.'s Co-Founder.

1. The book, "As Bill Sees It", delivers exactly what the title promises. This is a gleaning of the best thinking of the founder of AA. Whether you are well acquainted with AA literature, or simply a curious first time reader, this book is an excellent resource.

   The text is a compilation from a variety of Bill W.'s works, including letters and talks given as well as selections from the "Big Book", AA's Bible. Each selection centers around a particular topic or theme, and is succinct and though-provoking. The exhaustive index is very helpful, and guides the reader to other works in which the subjects are covered in greater detail.

   I recommend this book to anyone who has a desire to stop drinking, as well as to the family and friends of alcoholics who seek a greater understanding.




2. This was originally titled "The AA Way of Life", but was later changed because the book was the veiwpoint of only one man - Bill Wilson. There is a lot of plain basic common sense and wisdom in these snippets gleaned from years of Wilson's writings. It's not bad for use as a reflective reader for daily meditation/contemplation.



3. Nice solid companion reader. Its brief readings are good for the newcomer to help take the program's teachings in smaller bites.

   Well worth adding to your library.




4. This book is crammed with powerful excerpts frpom all the great AA Literature throughout the years. I know that it has helped me many of days in my own recovery and Im positive youll want to have this at your side. Highly Recommended.