It’s a tough book to read due to the descriptions of horrific traumas people have experienced, however it’s inspirational in its message of hope. Van der Kolk describes our inner resilience to manage the worst of life’s circumstances with our innate survival instinct. We can survive and even thrive despite the traumas we have endured. Wurtzel’s book clearly illustrates the link between mental health issues and addiction.
- Then I told myself it was because I was a journalist working the night shift.
- When it comes to addiction and recovery, books can serve as powerful resources that offer guidance, inspiration, and hope.
- During the most unsettling time of my life, I craved all the messy, tragic, complex, wonderful stories that could show me what was on the other side.
- No dream is beyond your reach simply because you suffered from a biochemical disorder.
- Ahead, see the 15 stories of struggle, failure, recovery, and grace that have moved us the most.
- So here are 10 best-selling and/or award-winning books on addiction and recovery.
Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker
- Pairing scientific research with real-life stories of addiction, the author and world-renowned trauma expert provides a holistic explanation of addiction.
- This is a fantastic read whenever you feel unsure of what to focus on or simply overwhelmed by negativity.
- Ever sworn off alcohol for January and found yourself drinking by the 7th?
Terry achieved long-term sobriety at one time, and she helped many women. It made me realize the pain I would have brought to my parents if they had lost me. I very much related to her always feeling “less than” in normal life, and only becoming confident and alive once she poured alcohol down her throat. In his first novel, Burroughs gives a vivid, semi-autobiographical account of heroin addiction in the early 1950s. There’s a long, beautiful history of writers chronicling how they’ve dealt with alcoholism and addiction. Cupcake Brown was 11 when she was orphaned and placed into foster care.
How To Live Longer And Feel Better
However, if you’re past acute withdrawal and you want to obliterate your psychological attachment to alcohol, this book can help you do it. In a world that glorifies alcohol—from signature cocktails to craft beer—helping a loved one with a drinking problem feels like a losing battle. You’ve begged, bargained, and demanded they stop, only to see consumption ramp up and your relationship break down. This approach enforces a vicious cycle of confrontation, shame, and more drinking. Author and filmmaker Maureen Palmer has been there, and she’s found a better way. Victoria Vanstone grew up in 1980s England in a happy home full of laughter, booze and a disturbing amount of fancy-dress parties.
Lifechanging Books on Addiction & Recovery
Prior to getting sober, memoir author Sarah Hepola often drank until best alcohol recovery books she blacked out. Blackout reveals how sobriety helped her discover the confidence, intimacy, and creativity within her—all of which she previously thought could only be found at the bottom of a bottle. I read this book before I became a personal trainer, and it brought my physique to the next level.
It is best read one page per day, since each page contains a short passage and explanation of its meaning. This reflective work can allow you to appreciate the value of the present moment, rather than attempting to live in the past or in the https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/is-alcohol-good-for-you-benefits-and-risks/ future. Marc Lewis is a neuroscientist with a personal history of opiate addiction, and this book is a masterpiece. Dr. Lewis sees addiction as a “phase of life” and individual preferences and desires as essentially malleable over time. I do not agree with everything in this book; Carr seems to downplay the biochemical aspects of addiction, and he strangely denies the existence of alcohol withdrawal.
Drink: The Intimate Relationship between Women and Alcohol by Ann Dowsett Johnston
The simple fact that we are not alone in our struggle can be enough to find our way out of the dark. Dr. Brown gives us tools to shape and share our thoughts in the most honest way possible, which can be a crucial step towards healing. If you are seeking drug and alcohol related addiction rehab for yourself or a loved one, the SoberNation.com hotline is a confidential and convenient solution. The majority of “experts” will tell you that you can never drink again if you’re an “alcoholic.” But in fact, there are people who have transcended addiction and proceeded to drink minimally.
Granted, books certainly can’t replace treatment and professional guidance. But they can provide fresh perspectives and inspiration—and reinforce that you’re not alone. The information we provide while responding to comments is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The responses to comments on fitrecovery.com are designed to support, not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment. Please seek professional care if you believe you may have a condition. At Fit Recovery, we do not believe that positive change can be caused by fear tactics or one-size-fits-all dogma.