Coping with / advice about drug and alcohol problems Books

Book SynopsisMark Johnson''s father had ''LOVE'' tattooed across his left hand, but that didn''t stop the beatings. The Johnson children would turn up to school with broken fingers and chipped teeth, but no one ever thought of investigating their home life. Mark just slipped through the cracks, and kept on falling. For years. Constantly in trouble at school, Mark began stealing at the age of seven, was drinking by the age of eight, and took his first hit of heroin aged eleven. A sensitive, intelligent boy, he could never stay on the right path, and though Art College beckoned, he ended up in Portland prison instead. With searing honesty, WASTED documents Mark''s descent into the depths of addiction and criminality. Homeless, hooked on heroin and crack, no one - least of all Mark - believed he would survive. And yet - astonishingly - he somehow pulled himself through, and now runs his own thriving tree surgery business, employing and helping other recovering addicts. His story is at once Trade ReviewAs gripping as it is appalling, WASTED is all you could ask of a misery-and-trauma book - it's shocking and it's haunting and it's about one hell of a life * DAILY MAIL *

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Book SynopsisA Sunday Times Book of the Year''Riveting, clear-sighted and exceptionally articulate... Her literary and psychoanalytic fluency gives the book an impact that feels arrestingly honest... Heartbreaking'' Daily Telegraph ''An unsparing account of a family destroyed by drugs. Unique and haunting'' Sunday Times''What gives this book its astonishing power is not the guilt, but the intelligence and literary skill'' Guardian''I write, knowing that writing at all may be seen as a betrayal of family; a shaming, exploitative act. Anyone reading this who thinks so, please know that I thought it before you''For years Sigrid Rausing watched helplessly as her brother Hans and his wife Eva succumbed to drug addiction. It afflicted a terrible toll on their family, culminating in Eva''s tragic early death. As this death led to inquest and media circus, the world looked on in horror, bTrade ReviewFierce, lyrical, and lucid memoir -- Siri HustvedtA profoundly articulate and harrowing memoir of a family grappling with addiction... I was impressed and moved -- A. M. HomesA short, intense and moving memoir... a poignant and at times harrowing account that testifies to the resilience of the human spirit * Tatler *Powerful and spare... her elisions and prevarications have a striking effect * The Observer *Such a unique and haunting story to tell * The Sunday Times *What gives this book its astonishing power is not the guilt, but the intelligence and literary skill. Beautifully structured... Rausing sets the scene with painterly delicacy and then steps back to analyse the implications of what she has revealed * The Guardian *A deeply felt memorial to a lost brother...a finely written memoir * Literary Review *Riveting, clear-sighted and exceptionally articulate...heartbreaking...her literary and psychoanalytic fluency gives the book an impact that feels arrestingly honest * Daily Telegraph *Touched by its bravery, sincerity and the frequent beauty of the writing * The Times *In this slim, stoic memoir... Rausing thoughtfully, painstakingly, works a deep groove into the stubborn surface of certain bedevilling questions: "How do you write about addiction?"... I nodded and sometimes cried. I wanted to invite the author over for tea * The Millions *Publisher's description. A courageous and clear-sighted memoir about addiction and its terrible repercussions within a family. In 2012, Hans Rausing, heir to the vast Tetrapak fortune, was pulled over by the police while driving erratically across Wandsworth Bridge. What those police officers eventually found would shock the world... * Penguin *

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Book Synopsis Everybody knows they should drink a bit less, but good intentions are hard to keep. MINDFUL DRINKING: HOW CUTTING DOWN WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE shows not only why you should, but also how you can, in a way that will change your life forever.Ever woken up worrying that you said the wrong thing at work drinks the night before? Felt frustrated with yourself for polishing off the entire bottle of wine when you only intended to have one glass? The emotional pull of alcohol is strong, but Mindful Drinking: How Cutting Down Will Change Your Life is here to help us cultivate a new, healthy and more mindful relationship with alcohol.Journalist Rosamund Dean combines scientific expertise with practical advice in a game-changing four step plan: The Problem, The Incentive, The Clean Break and The End Game. Drinking less will improve your mood, your skin and your body as well as reduce stress and anxiety for the long term.Trade ReviewI loved this book. It's smart, insightful and relatable. It never judges you, or tells you off. Instead, it cheerfully - and humorously - invites you to reconsider your assumptions about alcohol. After I read it, for the first time ever, I truly believed that life with a bit less booze in it could be a lot more fun.' * Hannah Marriott, The Guardian *In Mindful Drinking, Rosamund has come up with the perfect concept - knowing when to enjoy yourself and then really enjoying the moment when you do. In the process of trying for a baby I've been employing this for a while now (I call it teehalfism, being teetotal, half the time). If anyone needs a great way to kickstart a healthier 2018, then Mindful Drinking is your first resolution. * Emily Phillips, Grazia and author of TRYING *An ideal read for anyone tackling dry January * SUN *

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Book SynopsisA revelatory, moving narrative that offers a harrowing critique of the war on drugs from voices seldom heard in the conversation: drug users who are working on the front lines to reduce overdose deaths Media coverage has established a clear narrative of the overdose crisis: In the 1990s, pharmaceutical corporations flooded America with powerful narcotics while lying about their risk; many patients developed addictions to prescription opioids; then, as access was restricted, waves of people turned to the streets and began using heroin and, later, the dangerous synthetic opioid fentanyl. But that’s not the whole story. It fails to acknowledge how the war on drugs has exacerbated the crisis and leaves out one crucial voice: that of drug users themselves. Across the country, people who use drugs are organizing in response to a record number of overdose deaths. They are banding together to save lives and demanding equal rights. Set against the backdrop of the overdose crisis, Light Up the Night provides an intimate look at how users navigate the policies that criminalize them. It chronicles a rising movement that’s fighting to save lives, end stigma, and inspire commonsense policy reform. Told through embedded reporting focused on two activists, Jess Tilley in Massachusetts and Louise Vincent in North Carolina, this is the story of the courageous people stepping in where government has failed. They are standing on the front lines of an underground effort to help people with addictions use drugs safely, reduce harms, and live with dignity.Trade ReviewPraise for Light Up the Night:“A candid and vital look at the harm reduction method of addiction treatment on two drug users turned activists . . . the book’s greatest strength is the intimate portrait of two indomitable women who have dedicated their lives to helping others. A must-read for those on the front lines of the opioid crisis.”—Publishers Weekly “Potent, illuminating reportage on a public health crisis of epidemic proportions.”—Kirkus Reviews “Light Up the Night illuminates the controversial, complex topic of drug use and the American overdose crisis with power, conviction, and hope.”—Foreword Reviews “Rather than parrot the talking points of politicians or police, Lupick has given a megaphone to people who use drugs. This book offers invaluable advice on the overdose crisis.”—Sean Baker, writer and director, The Florida Project “Profound, beautiful, and inspiring . . . this is a story everyone needs to hear.”—Johann Hari, author of Chasing the Scream “A masterful, propulsive book about the overdose crisis, full of heart, humanity, and hope.”—Beth Macy, author of Dopesick “Lupick details the heroic efforts of everyday people fighting to save the lives of those deemed expendable. . . . [We] learn that failed policies, not drugs, are killing us. . . . Please read this book.”—Dr. Carl Hart, author of Drug Use for Grown-Ups and High Price “One of the world’s most knowledgeable writers about drug use, Lupick weaves together user narratives to show how our drug policies and treatment systems are flawed.”—Ben Westhoff, author of Fentanyl, Inc. “An extraordinary book and critical perspective.”—Ryan Hampton, addiction recovery activist and author of American Fix and Unsettled “An intimate portrait of the unsung activists who are doing what it actually takes to fight the overdose crisis.”—Maia Szalavitz, author of Undoing Drugs and Unbroken Brain “The war on drugs is a war on people—and the activists in this book are our people. I hope that their stories will inspire for years to come.”—Monique Tula, executive director, National Harm Reduction Coalition “Gripping, vividly told dispatches from the front lines of drug addiction. . . . A true antidote to the insanity of the drug war and to punitive approaches to human suffering.”—Gabor Maté, MD, author of In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

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Book SynopsisMerging Buddhist mindfulness practices with the Twelve Step program, this updated edition of the bestselling recovery guide One Breath at a Time will inspire and enlighten you to live a better, healthier life. Many in recovery turn to the Twelve Steps to overcome their addictions, but struggle with the spiritual program. But what they might not realize is that Buddhist teachings are intrinsically intertwined with the lessons of the Twelve Steps, and offer time-tested methods for addressing the challenges of sobriety.In what is considered the cornerstone of the most significant recovery movement of the 21st century, Kevin Griffin shares his own extraordinary journey to sobriety and how he integrated the Twelve Steps of recovery with Buddhist mindfulness practices. With a new foreword by William Alexander, the author of Ordinary Recovery, One Breath at a Time takes you on a journey through the Steps, examining critical ideas like Powerlessness, Higher Power, and Moral Inventory through the lens of the core concepts of Buddhism—the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, mindfulness, loving-kindness, and more. The result is a book that presents techniques and meditations for finding clarity and awareness in your life, just as it has for thousands of addicts and alcoholics.

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Book Synopsis The guided sobriety journal inspired by the Sunday Times bestseller Ever sworn off alcohol for a month and found yourself drinking by the 7th? Think there's 'no point' in just one drink? Welcome!Quitting drinking, whether for a month or for life, is enormously satisfying, but also fiendishly difficult. -There's the getting started ('But I have that party next week!')-There's the feeling clenched and socially anxious.-Throw in a sizeable amount of social pressure and suspicious questions ('So, do you have a drinking problem?'-Finally, chuck in the hundreds of pro-drinking messages we see every day; films where a round of shots always comes with a whoop; fridge magnets that say 'I don't trust people who don't drink'; pub clapboards announcing 'Strong people need strong drinks'; and memes declaring 'Beer: it's a holiday in a glass.' Whew. It's no wonder we find it tricky to stay teetotal. But don't worry. We're going to tackle all of the above. I'm going to give you tools that enable you to clear all of these stumbling blocks with the grace of a gazelle. So, let's get started, shall we? PRAISE FOR CATHERINE GRAY'S WRITING:"An icon of the Quit Lit movement." - Condé Nast Traveller"Fascinating." - Bryony Gordon."Not remotely preachy." - The Times"Jaunty, shrewd and convincing." - The Telegraph "Admirably honest, light, bubbly and remarkably rarely annoying." - The Guardian"Truthful, modern and real." - Stylist"Brave, witty and brilliantly written." - Marie Claire"Haunting, admirable and enlightening." - The Pool 'No other author writes about sober living with as much warmth or emotional range as Catherine Gray. Her deep insight into the subtle psychologies of drinking, and of life, means that everything she writes is both utterly relatable and stretches our minds. Hers is a rare wisdom.' - Dr Richard Piper, CEO, Alcohol Change UK

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Book SynopsisWhat is the connection between autism and addiction? Why are individuals with autism more likely to develop a substance use disorder than the general population?Until recently, substance use disorder (SUD) was considered rare among those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This book brings together current research and personal accounts from individuals with autism and their supports. It explores why addiction is more common among individuals with ASD and investigates how addiction and autism affect one another. The authors also provide strategies for supporting people with both ASD and SUD.Trade ReviewThis book is an important review of the issues associated with addiction and ASD. It will provide encouragement for parents to take action, and for professionals working the area of ASD to screen for addiction, and then to modify their treatment for addiction to accommodate the characteristics of ASD. -- From the Foreword by Tony Attwood, author of 'The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome'Table of Contents1. Autism and Substance Abuse and Addiction: A Brief Overview. 2. Using Substances to Cope. 3. Behavioral Connections between Autism Spectrum Diagnosis and Addiction. 4. Genetic Predispositions and Connections. 5. Late Diagnosis and its Connection to Substance Use. 6. What's Wrong with Self Medication? 7. Screening, Treatment and Prevention. 8. Conclusion.

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Book SynopsisUPDATED WITH A BRAND NEW CHAPTER ON SOBER CURIOSITY*Voted an Independent best self-care book for 2021**Voted one of Heat's best self-help books to help you reach your full potential*If you've ever woken up feeling anxious, or cringing with embarrassment, about something you did or said whilst drunk the night before, this book may just change your life.Whichever way you look at it, it's hard to avoid how alcohol really makes us feel: terrible. After years of partying and hangovers started taking a toll on her mental health, Millie Gooch gave up alcohol and has never looked back.Offering tips and advice on staying sober and curious in a world obsessed with booze, this handbook will change your life for ever, by showing you not only why you should drink less, but how. Millie shares essential information to empower you to transform your relationship with alcohol so that you can lead your most fulfilling life.Whether you're sober curious or determined to make a more permanent change, it's time to join the Sober Girl Society!It's time to join the Sober Girl Society:'I LOVE this book already, just received today and I can't put it down!''I recommend this to anyone; whether they want to stop drinking permanently, or even would just like to cut down on their drinking.''I love how relatable and non-preachy this book is.''Approaches what can be a tricky and confusing subject for many with humour and wit.''Perfect for those reconsidering their relationship with alcohol. Brilliant book.'Trade ReviewAn empowering survival guide, this is your toolkit for remaining sober-curious. * Evening Standard *Full of inspiration. If you have just embarked on Dry January, this down-to-earth volume is exactly what you need. An ultra-practical self-help guide, it also includes a host of useful resources and books. * Independent, best self-care books for 2021 *If you've found yourself reaching for the bottle more often than you'd like in recent months, this new release is for you. Millie Gooch has packed everything she's learned into this practical, no-judgement book. * Good Housekeeping *Listen to Millie. She is a tireless, funny, whip-smart teetotalin' trailblazer. * Catherine Gray, author of The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober *Gooch's debut acts as a manual for sober and sober-curious females looking to improve their lives. The facts and figures she presents are astounding, but it's her personal account - along with those from other members of the tee-total sisterhood - that delve deepest into the reasons for giving up alcohol. * Bustle *Best self-help books to help you reach your full potential: Whether you want to cut down or are looking to stop drinking alcohol completely, this toolkit arms you with tips, advice and knowhow to help you on your journey. * Heat *This handbook arms readers with health facts and comforting stories of support. I loved it. * Cosmopolitan *Your Dry January 2022 survival guide - the perfect motivation if you're struggling to make it past the halfway point. * Evening Standard *Millie Gooch is fabulous. If you are thinking of giving sobriety a go, this book will help you on your way. The best decision I have ever made. My life is free, real, honest, and most importantly, happy. * Lisa Riley *

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Book SynopsisIn 50 Years of Hard Road, Nick Charles MBE - the first person to be honoured by the Queen 'for services to people with alcohol problems' - details his time in the abyss of alcohol addiction; a period that despatched relationships, his health, his career, and so much more.

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Book SynopsisIn 50 Years of Hard Road, Nick Charles - the first person to be honoured by the Queen 'for services to people with alcohol problems' - details his time in the abyss of alcohol addiction; a period that despatched relationships, his health, his career, and so much more.

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Book SynopsisJournalist Jenny Valentish takes a gendered look at drugs and alcohol, using her own story to light the way. Mining the expertise of 35 leading researchers, clinicians and psychiatrists, she explores the early predictors of addictive behaviour, such as trauma, temperament and impulsivity. Drawing on neuroscience, she explains why other self-destructive behaviours – such as eating disorders, compulsive buying and high-risk sex – are interchangeable with problematic substance use. From her childhood in suburban Slough to her chaotic formative years in the London music scene, we follow her journey to Australia, where she experiences firsthand treatment facilities and AA groups, and reflects whether or not they are meeting the needs of women. Woman of Substances is an insightful, rigorous and brutally honest read. In Australia it was nominated for a prestigious Walkley Book Award. 'Employing expert interviews and research, each rich personal episode is contextualised within the under-examined issue of women's substance abuse. Detailed, insightful and told with a feature writer's narrative flair' Bookseller and Publisher. 'Engages readers with storytelling while presenting scientific findings and theories in a way that is accessible to a broad audience' Broadsheet. 'Part monograph, part memoir, part Ginsbergian howl of outrage at a culture in which gender bias is a tenet. It is a work of compellingly articulate anger' The Australian. 'In straightforward, lively prose she relates even her darkest moments without self-pity or aggrandisement, and often with a streak of gallows humour, leading to more laugh-out-loud lines than you might expect' The Saturday Paper. 'We need books like this, and writers like Valentish, to give voice to our frustrations and concerns, to help legitimise and mobilise' Kill Your Darlings. 'Valentish's passion lies in exploring the underlying causes and their effects and, in the most female of ways, offering companionship and reassurance for her readers' The Monthly. 'Doesn't mince her words' Sydney Morning Herald.Trade ReviewA startling and illuminating book – it's also hugely entertaining -- Roddy DoyleWoman of Substances will resonate with women readers who have never really questioned the role that patriarchy has played in their drinking habits * VICE magazine *A startling and thorough investigation into the relationship between gender, trauma and addiction, and the women who fall through the gaps * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisIt''s a typical Tuesday evening in Kilbrody. Cathy Long is on her way to collect her drunken father from the pub. Ozzy O''Reilly is in the graveyard, watching the Dublin bus through his binoculars. Charlie Finn is pulling pints, when suddenly it hits him: he''s bored. And that''s when the woman from the bus walks through his door and drinks herself into oblivion. Now the whole village wants to know, who is the woman on the bus? The question is, will she tell them?Trade Review`A funny read' Heat magazine * Heat magazine *

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Book SynopsisThe fast and highly effective way to stop cravings, end addiction and recover energy and happiness without drugs.

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Book SynopsisRuby Warrington''s 2019 book Sober Curious was an illuminating conversation-starter that asked her readers to consider, ''Would life be better without alcohol?'' thus sparking a global wellness trend of ''curiosity'' on how to gain one''s genuine confidence and happiness without the crutch of alcohol.In The Sober Curious Reset, Ruby goes a step further by inviting her readers into a 100-day process of radically rethinking their drinking. Each ''day'' features observations, exercises, and insights, offering a more profound process of self-discovery than common month-long programs like Dry January or Sober September. Ruby''s friendly, honest, and totally non-judgmental tone helps readers unmask the deeper ''whys'' behind their drinking, understand why 100 days is so transformational, and how to create a truly sustainable shift in habits-- and on to living a life with more presence, focus, and satisfaction.The Sober Curious Reset is not about preach

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times Bestseller *** As featured on The Joe Rogan Experience and Diary of a CEO ***Are we hardwired to crave more? From food and stuff to information and influence, why can''t we ever get enough?Michael Easter, author of The Comfort Crisis and one of the world''s leading experts on behavior change, shows that the problem isn''t you. The problem is the scarcity loop, left over from our ancient ancestors, who had to constantly seek and consume to survive. For the scarcity loop to work, you need three things: opportunity, unpredictable rewards and quick repeatability. New technology and institutions - from dating and entertainment apps to our food and economic systems - are exploiting the scarcity loop, leading to us all developing scarcity brain. We''re bombarded with subversive scarcity cues, subtle triggers that lead us into low-reward cravings that hurt us in the long run. Scarcity cues can be direct and all-encompas

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Book Synopsis''Raw, unflinching, incredibly brave'' - BBC Woman''s Hour''Visceral and gripping'' Amy Liptrot, author of The OutrunComing Clean is a searingly honest memoir of loving an alcoholic both through the heaviest drinking years and into recovery. When Liz Fraser''s partner fell into a catastrophic vortex of depression and alcoholism, Liz found herself in a relentless hailstorm of lies, loneliness and fear, looking after their young child on her own, heartbroken, mentally shattered and with no idea what was happening or what to do.As she and her family moved between Cambridge, Venice and Oxford, she kept the often shocking truth entirely to herself for a long time, trying in vain to help her partner find a path to sobriety, until she herself finally broke from the trauma and started to speak out only to find she was one of hundreds experiencing similar things, also living in silence and fear. Part diary, part travel journal and part love letter, Coming CleTrade ReviewVisceral and gripping. -- Amy Liptrot * author of The Outrun *Raw, unflinching, incredibly brave -- Anita Rani * BBC Woman's Hour *An extraordinary book – deeply painful and loving. -- Adam Kay[Coming Clean] sheds light on the reverberating effects of addiction and sobriety in this glowing memoir that unravels her experience falling in – and at times, out of – love with an alcoholic ... Fraser illuminates the complexities of loving an addict and why she 'didn’t run a mile' when his illness became apparent ... In the end, her wry prose, sharp self-reflection, and affinity for the uncertain reshapes her fraught experience into a nuanced story of resilience. This will be a beacon of hope for those whose lives have been touched by addiction. * Publishers Weekly *A remarkably frank, emotionally charged foray into one woman’s battle to come to terms with her partner’s alcoholism; a desperate fight to protect herself and her child, and to create a world where they could be enough for one another. -- Charlotte PhilbyA blistering account of damaged love, that will console anyone who lives with an addict. It's heartbreaking, eloquent and blackly funny. A book in search of the limits of compassion, finding none. An extraordinary achievement. -- Rhik Samadder * author of I Never Said I Loved You *Liz Fraser’s memoir will break your heart into a million pieces and then gently squeeze it back together. Heart-rending and sad. A wonderful book. -- Charlie CondouTable of ContentsPrologue Introduction Part One: Cambridge Part Two: Venice Part Three: Madness Part Four: Scandinavia Part Five: Shutting the Door Part Six: The Eternal Chaos of the Broken Mind Part Seven: Rock Bottom Part Eight: Sobriety Part Nine: Lockdown and Breakdown Part Ten: Recovery Epilogue Resources

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Book Synopsis'Deeply moving ... A triumph' Justin Webb 'What might, in other hands, have been simply macabre becomes peculiarly mesmerising' Craig Brown, The Mail on Sunday Ten seconds before my father’s death, I have a premonition - that the breath he is taking will be his last. William Leith’s childhood was marked by his father’s absences and as a consequence their relationship has always been a troubled one. Now, as his father lies dying, William reflects on the connections and ruptures that have marked their shared history. Can he ever really understand his father? Is there an explanation for the physical distance and emotional chasm that his father has maintained between them? And what was he running away from? Darkly comical and told with searing honesty, The Cut that Wouldn’t Heal is a moving memoir about the pain of abandonment, grief and regret.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR THE CUT THAT WOULDN'T HEAL: The Cut That Wouldn’t Heal should be depressing, but it is in fact weirdly exhilarating, largely because the author tracks his own feelings, however untoward, with a darkly comical precision … What might, in other hands, have been simply macabre becomes peculiarly mesmerising. -- Craig Brown * The Mail on Sunday *Honest without oversharing, William Leith is such a perfect writer … The Cut that Wouldn’t Heal is a triumph and deeply moving. Wonderful. -- Justin WebbWilliam Leith is a very fine writer, defined by a compulsive honesty: not the heavily-curated oversharing of social media culture, but the real, uncomfortable thing. This book, which deals in the sometimes absurdist agonies of grief – and indeed of life – is his best yet. * Laura Thompson *A reckoning with the past by a writer whose past offers plenty to reckon with … Pacily written … satisfyingly structured -- Norma Clarke * Times Literary Supplement *An intensely readable study of love and regret. -- Ian JackAs mysterious and unsettling as a Cold War thriller – the search for self amidst the puzzle of a brilliant absentee father. -- Ed Needham * Strong Words Magazine *PRAISE FOR THE TRICK: The Trick takes all of Leith’s writing habits – his mazy streams of consciousness (few writers are quite so enamoured of, or good at, watching themselves think) and his love of axiom – and, if anything, ups the ante... Hugely enjoyable. * Observer *PRAISE FOR THE HUNGRY YEARS: Compulsively readable. I gulped it down in a couple of greedy bites ... It is a powerful memoir ... it has the unusual qualities of heart and daring. In the end, these are what stay inside you. * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisARE YOU REALLY IN CONTROL OF YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ALCOHOL?ARE YOU FINDING YOUR NEED TO DRINK GETTING STRONGER?DO YOU DEPEND ON ALCOHOL TO MANAGE DAILY LIFE? In his role as a consultant psychiatrist, Dr Tim Cantopher has worked with countless people to help them overcome dependency, and this book distils his decades of experience into a series of practical, achievable, straightforward steps to reduce your own intake, or give up altogether. Problem Drinking explains why you are drinking too much, what alcohol does to you physiologically, the influence of environment and personality, and the long-term consequences of alcohol addiction. It offers supportive strategies to help you cut down or do without, including advice on relaxation and sleep, problem-solving approaches, time management skills, and insight into drug treatments, the disease concept and the role of Alcoholics Anonymous.Read this book, take it one day at a time, and don't look back.

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Book SynopsisAcceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) cofounder Kelly Wilson and Troy DuFrene show readers how to use acceptance, mindfulness, and values-oriented strategies, either alone or in combination with a twelve-step program, to overcome substance abuse and permanently change their lives for the better.The Wisdom to Know the Difference offers readers a unique path to treating alcoholism and drug addiction through ACT, which has been proven to be clinically effective for the treatment of alcoholism and substance abuse. This workbook unifies the most widely practiced method of substance abuse treatment, the twelve-step program, with an empirically supported psychotherapeutic model, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Each component of this ACT treatment plan has an explanation rooted in basic behavioral science, and readers will learn how these components fit into the twelve steps in Alcoholics Anonymous and similar programs. Written by Kelly Wilson, cofounder of the ACT treatment model, and Troy DuFrene, this workbook is accessible for all reading levels and can be used by those suffering from all forms of substance abuse.

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Book SynopsisTackle Your First 90 Days of Sobriety With Ease. This impactful book will answer all of your questions about what to expect when you first get sober, so you can find success on this journey and ease in its process. Courtney Andersen is a sober coach who has walked the path of recovery for over a decade. In a series of insightful essays, she details what the first three months of sobriety look like and supports you as the process unfolds with expert advice and first-hand knowledge, so you can stick to your goal of not drinking. Each section also has guided journal prompts that you can answer right in the pages of this book, which help you stay accountable during your first 90 days. You’ll delve into topics like detox and withdrawal, creating new boundaries, setting routines that don’t center around alcohol, how to have fun in your new sober life and making a long-term plan for sobriety. Best of all, Courtney takes a refreshing, no B.S. approach to this subject - she tackles why AA might be off-putting, how grieving your old drinking life is okay, and what to do when conflicting thoughts like, “How can I have sex without alcohol?” arise. Sober Vibes, and the journal prompts that goes along with it, will support and guide as you begin the most important journey you’ll ever take. Get ready to quit alcohol for good, change your life for the better and usher in a healthier, more conscious lifestyle.

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Book Synopsis***2020 winner of the Christopher Bland Prize***"Beautifully crafted and written, filled with darkness and light, compelling... She fights addiction with honesty and humour. And, like her, [we] come away changed forever." Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, RSL Christopher Bland PrizeWhen Michele Kirsch's father is killed in a train crash, her mother gets the vapours and Michele gets extremely nervous. By her mid-teens, she has found salvation in valium. Her favourite words on the prescription sheet are "Take As Needed", which she interprets as Take All The Time.Later, as a wife and mother, she adds alcohol into the mix, and before long her life is spinning out of control. Leaving home "for the sake of the family", she takes the scenic route to rehab, redemption and reinvention.But this is no misery memoir. Clean is a darkly comic tale about the difficult choices we have to make as we navigate our lives. While working as a domestic cleaner in her 50s, Michele finds herself living vicariously through other people's messes, tidying her way through early sobriety. As the Duster of Large Things, she taps into her natural nosiness to reveal the absurdities of a seemingly banal job.This is a remarkable, powerful, and often unbearably funny story in which cleaning and getting clean lead to a strange and magical form of redemption.Trade ReviewRarely can a dark memoir have been so comic, or a comic memoir so dark. * Ysenda Maxtone Graham *

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Book SynopsisThe powerful autobiography of a gambler, drug addict and dealer who turned to God and found the freedom and hope to rebuild his life. Rod Williams grew up in a loving family, with a policeman for a father. Yet his story shows that addiction is no respecter of persons and can strike at the heart of any family with devastating effects. Rod's drug addiction began at college and quickly moved from cannabis to Ecstasy and eventually heroin and crack cocaine. He soon became heavily involved in dealing drugs and gambling in order to finance his drugs habit. Although he was pursuing a lifestyle that promised money, pleasure, power and popularity, it eventually left him feeling broken and lost. Following an attempt to import class A drugs onto the island of Guernsey, Rod finally ended up in prison. At rock bottom and in desperation, he turned to God in his prison cell and began his journey to freedom from his addictions. In this gripping account, Rod relates how he found 'the real deal' which rescued him from his destructive lifestyle to begin a journey of fulfilment and freedom. He is now determined to help others find the same release. The Real Deal also includes moving accounts of the effects of Rod's choices from his police officer father, prison officer sister, and his fellow addicts.

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Book Synopsis The long-awaited sequel to THE UNEXPECTED JOY OF BEING SOBER - the Sunday Times bestseller 'Exquisite' - Fearne Cotton, Happy Place'A paean to the longer-term pleasures of staying booze-free' - The Guardian'The kind of book that changes lives, and very possibly saves them' - The Lancet Psychiatry'A reflective, raw and riveting read. A beautiful book on what it takes to root for yourself' - Emma Gannon, Ctrl Alt Delete'No other author writes about sober living with as much warmth or emotional range as Catherine Gray. Her deep insight into the subtle psychologies of drinking, and of life, means that everything she writes is both utterly relatable and stretches our minds. Hers is a rare wisdom.' - Dr Richard Piper, CEO, Alcohol Change UKWhat's it like to give up drinking forever?We know now that being teetotal for one, three, even twelve months brings surprising joys and a recharged body... but nothing has been written about going years deep into being alcohol-free.As Catherine Gray, author of runaway bestseller The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, streaks towards a decade sober, she explores this uncharted territory in her trademark funny, disruptive and warm way.This is a must-read for anyone sober-curious, whether they've put down the bottle yet or not.Praise for The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober:'Fascinating' - Bryony Gordon'Truthful, modern and real' - Stylist'Brave, witty and brilliantly written' - Marie Claire'Gray's tale of going sober is uplifting and inspiring' - Evening Standard'Not remotely preachy' - Sunday Times'Jaunty, shrewd and convincing' - Sunday Telegraph'Admirably honest, light, bubbly and remarkably rarely annoying' - Guardian'An empathetic, warm and hilarious tale from a hugely likeable human' - The Lancet PsychiatryTrade ReviewExquisite. -- Fearne Cotton, broadcaster, author and founder of Happy PlaceA paean to the longer-term pleasures of staying booze-free. -- The GuardianThe kind of book that changes lives, and very possibly saves them. -- The Lancet PsychiatryA reflective, raw and riveting read. A beautiful book on what it takes to root for yourself. -- Emma Gannon, author and Ctrl Alt Delete podcast hostNo other author writes about sober living with as much warmth or emotional range as Catherine Gray. Her deep insight into the subtle psychologies of drinking, and of life, means that everything she writes is both utterly relatable and stretches our minds. Hers is a rare wisdom. -- Dr Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK

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Book SynopsisAddiction is seemingly inexplicable. From the outside, it can look like wilful, arrogant self-destruction; from the inside, it can feel as inevitable and insistent as a heartbeat. It is possible to describe, but hard to explore. Yet in The Recovering, Leslie Jamison draws on her own life and the lives of addicts of extraordinary talent - John Cheever, John Berryman, Jean Rhys and Amy Winehouse among them - to take us inside the experience of addiction, exposing the contours, edges and wholes of an intoxicated life. Part memoir, part group biography, part literary history and part definitive analysis of cultural and social considerations of addiction, The Recovering is a significant moment in the history of post-war narrative non-fiction.

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Book SynopsisAre you ready to take your power back from alcohol? Whether you’re looking to go booze free or want to make informed adjustments to your drinking habits, this inclusive and non-judgemental guide gives you the scientifically backed tools you need to create a relationship with alcohol that works for you, from cold exposure therapy to sound healing and beyond. You will explore the roots of your drinking behaviours and triggers, hear from leading industry experts, including addiction and nutrition therapists, learn to overcome backsliding behaviours, receive tips and advice on real-life scenarios, like sticking to your goals in a party environment, get advice on recreating your self-identity, and create a personalized plan of action to guide you on your soberish journey.Trade Review"A smart how-to manual that encourages readers to embrace a “soberish” lifestyle ... ideal for those who wish to rethink their relationship with alcohol without adhering to prescriptive principles or moralizing judgments."—Publishers WeeklyA useful guide to establishing a healthy relationship with alcohol.—Library Journal Review"Soberish is an important and enlightening read for anyone looking to improve their life by improving their relationship with alcohol, whether that be by limiting their intake or removing it all together. Kayla does a brilliant job of helping the reader assess their own relationship with alcohol and provides tangible ways to set yourself up for success, whatever you goals may be." — Elizabeth Gascoigne, Founder of Absence of Proof "Kayla is giving a voice to the next generation of sobriety. She's able to articulate what we've all been feeling — that it's time to get Soberish. Kayla blends modern behavioral science and personal anecdotes to deliver the first non-judgemental, inclusive, actionable and straightforward guide to cutting back or quitting drinking." — Brooke LeBlanc, Founder & CEO Edge Health"Soberish incorporates information with a kind, forgiving attitude. Anyone who is dealing with a problem drinker or is reflecting on their own drinking habits will benefit from reading this." — Netgalley review, 5-stars "Soberish is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to redefine their relationship with alcohol. With its supportive guidance and evidence-based approach, this guide equips readers with the necessary tools to make positive changes and regain control over their lives." — Netgalley review, 5-stars "Kayla addresses many important components of recovery, including getting adequate nutrition and sleep, journaling, engaging in some form of physical activity, and surrounding yourself with a community of like-minded people . . . . Inspirational and positive." — Netgalley review, 5-stars

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Book SynopsisAs heard on BBC Radio 4 'Likeable and highly readable ... comic and insightful' Observer 'An easy read mixture of wit and wisdom ... should be read by all who drink more than the limit' Prof David Nutt, author of Drink? The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health The popular broadcaster and columnist sets out to discover the unsung pleasures of drinking in moderation. The recommended alcohol limit is 14 units a week. Adrian Chiles used to put away almost 100. Ever since he was a teenager, drinking was his idea of a good time - and not just his, but seemingly the whole nation's. Still, it wasn't very good for him: the doctor made that clear. If you lined them up, Adrian must have knocked back three miles of drinks. How many of them had he genuinely wanted? A mile? There's an awful lot of advice out there on how to quit booze completely. If you just want to drink a bit less, the pickings are slim. Yet while the alcohol industry depends on a minority of problem drinkers, the majority really do enjoy in moderation. What's their secret? Join the inimitable Chiles as he sets out around Britain and plumbs his only slightly fuzzy memories of a lifetime in pubs in a quest to find the good drinker within.Trade ReviewA WATERSTONES BEST FOOD AND DRINK BOOK OF 2022 * : *Likeable and highly readable ... comic and insightful * Observer *Honest, funny and full of strategies on how to moderate your drinking, Chiles is genuinely passionate about his pints and the need to enjoy them without ever coming across as preachy - a fine line many have failed to tread ... sage ... funny and touching * Independent *A fascinating read * Irish Times *An easy read mixture of wit and wisdom ... should be read by all who drink more than the limit -- Prof David Nutt, author * Drink? The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health *A humorous and heartfelt exploration of the pleasures of drinking in moderation -- Waterstones Best Food and Drink Books of 2022A great read -- Miriam O'Callaghan * RTE *Chiles's self-deprecation may be stage-managed, but the underlying modesty is real. Sitting alongside his propensity to admit his ignorance is an attractive willingness to listen to anyone, of any age or social station, who might tell him something meaningful ... This is why Adrian Chiles is beautiful * Gawker *

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Book Synopsis''Mandy and Kate have done it again. I love how this book is based around seasons which fits so well with womanhood. But it''s also filled with really practical tools and tips that will help sober women as they take this journey ... Dive in, you won''t be disappointed'' Veronica Valli, sober coach and author of SoberfulThis book is for any woman that is sober or sober curious. It is here to support you on your journey to alcohol-free living.The seasons are there for us all to use; the patterns and cycles offer a reference point that can help us as we navigate our sobriety. By tuning into nature''s ebb and flow, we can use its power to explore and support our sober lives in a long-term and sustainable way.Sober coaches Kate Baily and Mandy Manners offer positive and empowering ways to harness this power, exploring how old wisdoms, new science and the female experience can help guide you.Packed with tasks to shift your mindset, questions for reflection, nervous system regulation techniques, as well as gratitude and intention setting exercises, this book is designed to be a constant companion nurturing you in your choice to be alcohol-free.

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Book Synopsis'A process for healing from paralyzing grief, addiction and emotional wounds.' - Rudolph E. Tanzi, PhD, New York Times bestselling author.Healing from addiction can be an intensely painful process as decades of frozen grief are unpacked. This book is written to help recovering addicts to work through old wounds including bereavement, abandonment, betrayal, and abuse. It uses effective mindfulness practices to complement long term recovery and to help process sometimes-overwhelming feelings. Mindfulness is also recognized as a powerful tool in relapse prevention. Interspersed with personal reflections from the author's own experience, and stories from those with similar experience, this book balances insight and support with practical strategies and mindfulness tools.Covering everything those recovering from addiction might need to know, including the need to grieve, coping with depression and shame, and spiritual wellbeing, it also offers a number of guided meditations as well as a variety of different exercises.For those building emotional wellbeing and peace in recovery, Drug-Addiction Recovery: The Mindful Way offers healing ways to enhance self-respect, and points the path to serenity.Trade ReviewIn Drug Addiction Recovery, Christopher Dines elegantly teaches us a process for healing from paralysing grief, addiction and emotional wounds using a mindfulness-based approach. -- Rudolph E. Tanzi PhD. Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, and multiple New York Times bestselling authorChristopher Dines' experiences and insight are shared in his book, 'Drug Addiction Recovery' for us all to learn from. -- Peter Kyle, MP for Hove & Portslade, UK

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Book SynopsisIn Drinking Up the Revolution, James Wilt shows us why alcohol policy should be at the heart of any socialist movement. Many people are drinking more now than ever before, as already massive multinationals are consolidating and new online delivery services are booming in an increasingly deregulated market. At the same time, public health experts are sounding the alarm about the catastrophic health and social impacts of rising alcohol use, with over three million people dying ever year due to alcohol-related harms. Exposing the links between the alcohol industry and capitalism, colonialism and environmental destruction, Wilt demonstrates the failure of both prohibition and deregulation, and instead focuses on those who profit from alcohol’s sale and downplay its impacts: producers, retailers, and governments. Rejecting both the alcohol industry’s moralizing against individual “problem drinkers” and the sober politics of “straight-edge” and wellness lifestyle trends, Drinking Up the Revolution is not another call for prohibition or more governmental control, but is instead a cry to take back alcohol for the people, and make it safe and enjoyable for all those who want to use it.Trade Review"Drinking Up the Revolution offers both an incisive expose of the extensive harm perpetrated by a cynical globalised alcohol industry in its naked pursuit of profit, and a lower-risk, alternative way for the world to enjoy alcohol – or not.""Drinking Up the Revolution is not only persuasive in its calls for an end to the oligopoly of Big Alcohol, its manifesto envisions a set of compelling alternatives that could very well help break up alcohol’s near-monopoly on culturally-sanctioned means of celebration and connection.”"You might feel a general anxiety about society’s worsening relationship with alcohol, and Drinking Up the Revolution explains why.""James Wilt fills a much needed gap in left thinking about alcohol. With care, passion, and rigour Wilt is able to not only map out the capitalist problems of big alcohol plaguing society but also present promising solutions, and an abolitionist hope of dreaming bigger.""A fascinating and informative read."

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Book SynopsisAnne McTiernan begins her second memoir at age twenty-nine, soon after completing her doctoral training in public health research at the University of Washington. She and her husband are now parents to four-year-old and three-month-old girls. She realizes that jobs in her field are scarce, especially for women and decides she needs better credentials to land a job. Overcoming her fear and life-long struggle with inadequacy, Anne moves the family 3,000 miles to New York, where she begins medical school. Within a few months of starting this new life, Anne is in deep trouble. She cannot handle the competing demands and feels isolated. The stress builds, until Anne suffers a series of paralyzing panic attacks that threaten her ability to function. She begins psychotherapy and starts on a journey of self-discovery, realizing she has to change to survive.Cured is the follow-up to her 2016 release Starved and differs from other physician memoirs in its themes of motherhood, mental illness, and the perspective of a female physician on how she turned adversity into a strength and set of skills.

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Book SynopsisAddiction and Grace offers an inspiring and hope–filled vision for those who desire to explore the mystery of who and what they really are. May examines the processes of attachment that lead to addiction and describes the relationship between addiction and spiritual awareness. He also details the various addictions from which we can suffer, not only to substances like alcohol and drugs, but to work, sex, performance, responsibility, and intimacy. Drawing on his experience as a psychiatrist working with the chemically dependent, May emphasizes that addiction represents an attempt to assert complete control over our lives. Addiction and Grace is a compassionate and wise treatment of a topic of major concern in these most addictive of times, one that can provide a critical yet hopeful guide to a place of freedom based on contemplative spirituality.

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Book SynopsisDrug overdoses now kill more Americans annually than guns, cars or breast cancer. But we have tried to solve this national crisis with policies that only made matters worse. In the name of sending the right message, we have maximized the spread of infectious disease, torn families apart, incarcerated millions of mostly Black and Brown people-and utterly failed to either prevent addiction or make effective treatment for it widely available.There is another way, one that is proven to work. However, it runs counter to much of the received wisdom of our criminal and medical industrial complexes. It is called harm reduction. Developed and championed by an outcast group of people who use drugs and by former users and public health geeks, harm reduction offers guidance on how to save lives and improve health. And it provides a way of understanding behavior and culture that has relevance far beyond drugs.In a spellbinding narrative rooted in an urgent call to action, Undo

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Book SynopsisA reissue of the 2014 edition, featuring a new foreword from the authors.Do you count down the minutes to wine o'clock? You are not alone. When it comes to alcohol, plenty of people find it hard to exercise moderation and become stuck in a vicious cycle of blame, guilt and addiction.If you want to take back control and stop being defined by alcohol now is the time to join The Sober Revolution.In this empowering book, addictions counsellor Sarah Turner and life coach Lucy Rocca examine women's relationship with alcohol and offer insight and advice into overcoming this addiction.The Sober Revolution explores the myths behind this socially acceptable yet often destructive habit and, through personal accounts of alcohol abuse and its impacts on relationships, careers and finances, you are invited to examine your own relationship with alcohol and its impact on your life. Read it now. Regain control and lead a happier, healthier life. Call time on wine o'clock forever.

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