White thoughtfully explores boundaries, emotional regulation, body image, shame, and self-care in a way that’s actionable and accessible. The book is short, easy to read, and will leave you with some immediate tools for addressing social situations, sex, and friendship while navigating an alcohol-free lifestyle. 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.
Best Addiction and Sobriety Books
It is well-researched, educational, informative, and at times mind-blowing. She writes with deep emotion even when sharing factual research. This is a central nervous system depression must read for anyone passionate about exploring their relationship with alcohol and the role a patriarchal system has played in rising rates of unhealthy substance use in America. These personal stories provide insight, empathy, and inspiration to those navigating the difficult path of addiction and recovery.
Science Behind Medication-Assisted Treatment
Annie’s book is so important (and she’s a wonderful human to boot). She brilliantly weaves psychological, neurological, cultural, social and industry factors with her own journey. Without scare tactics, pain, or rules, she offers a strategy to give you freedom from alcohol. 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).
This book offers a collection of elegant, complex, and sophisticated recipes that prove there’s so much more to zero proof beverages than overly sweet ‘mocktails’. Bainbridge combines unique ingredients with detailed preparation to create thoughtful and flavorful non-alcoholic beverages. This is more than a cookbook – it’s a captivating read and a gorgeous coffee table book to peruse over and over again.
A hopeful, inspiring story, “Beautiful Boy” has the power to show anyone dealing with addiction that they are not alone. Told from a father’s perspective, it paints a portrait of what it’s like for parents to see a child struggle with substance abuse. The author asks himself what he did wrong, how his son could end up as a meth addict, and what he can do do save him. The book is full of compelling anecdotes, and powerful insights. Painful, candid, and now the subject of a major movie, “Beautiful Boy” is the true story of the meth epidemic that continues to cripple the country. Have you noticed that our world is increasingly obsessed with drinking?
“The Body Keeps The Score” by Bessel van der Kolk
- Although this book isn’t specifically about alcohol recovery, it has become a go-to guide in many recovery circles.
- These insights can introduce a whole new dimension of healing while on a sobriety or moderation journey.
- The Sober Diaries is one of the best books in the quit lit category.
- Ann Dowsett Johnston brilliantly weaves her own story of recovery with in-depth research on the alarming rise of risky drinking among women.
“High on Arrival” by Mackenzie Phillips is praised for its complete honesty, rawness, and the impact of the author’s recovery journey on inspiring others to seek recovery. Phillips, a well-known actress, courageously shares her personal story of addiction and the challenges she faced in her quest for sobriety. Her memoir serves as a powerful reminder that recovery is possible and that it is never too late to embark on a journey towards healing and self-discovery. Sometimes, personal stories can have a profound impact on individuals struggling with addiction and seeking recovery.
Massachusetts Women’s Rehab: A Path to Healing
Then I insisted the daily drinking was just part of adulthood. I recently came to terms with my own problematic relationship with alcohol, and my one solace has been in books. 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 counseling for spouses of alcoholics about alcoholism I’ve found meaningful. Reading these books about alcoholism (memoirs, nonfiction, and fiction) and recommending them to you is part of my personal therapy. The story follows Carr’s unbelievable arc through addiction, recovery, cancer, and life as a single parent to come to an understanding of what those dark years meant.
This is a lesser known series of essays on the intersection of alcohol and womanhood. The author, Kristi Coulter, engages the reader with her deep insight and quick wit. This combination makes her story heartening, funny, and thought-provoking at the same time. Coulter shares her struggles with alcohol use and also is ambien better than xanax for sleep the challenges of getting sober. This is a very refreshing book in the world of recovery memoirs.
Achieving lasting sobriety takes vigilance, commitment, and motivation. It’s not a one-time event, but rather a continuous journey towards a healthier and happier life. Whether you’ve been to treatment, you’re contemplating rehab, or your loved one is struggling with substance misuse, the more tools you have in your arsenal the better. Everything from inpatient rehab and sober living facilities to peer-support groups and outpatient care can move you or your loved one another step closer to long-term recovery. This powerful memoir follows Cain’s life as she navigates a substance use disorder, incarceration, and sex work over the course of 19 years.