In college, my friends and I joked that it’s not alcoholism until you graduate. Then I told myself it was because I was a journalist working the night shift. 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 about alcoholism I’ve found meaningful.
Change Your Brain, Change Your Life (Revised and Expanded)
This book offers a step-by-step plan for quitting alcohol, along with advice on how to stay sober. From addiction recovery workbooks to inspiring true success stories, the best books on addiction cover everything from practical skills to personal transformations. They help you recognize that addiction isn’t someone else’s problem. It’s a deeply personal journey that requires healthy boundaries, cognitive behavioral therapy, and, most importantly, a commitment to change. “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” is a fundamental text for individuals and groups seeking recovery from alcoholism.
The decision of which articles were selected for this book seems to be based on only including articles that are particularly poignant and uplifting. And it offers deep insights on emotional sobriety through its open examination of Bill W’s personal struggles. It’s not always easy, even if you feel like you have people you can turn to. For example, after a horrible day, sometimes you need a good book to reference and help you recenter. You can get support and guidance through the books I refer to below.
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- This book can supply you with the internal resolve and concrete strategies you’ll need to make progress in all aspects of your life.
- The Glass Castle is a captivating memoir written by Jeannette Walls that offers a poignant and often shocking glimpse into her unconventional and tumultuous upbringing.
- She also poignantly expresses the feeling of emptiness and longing that so many addicts seek to fill through the consumption of their drug of choice.
- I believe there may also be audio versions, but I fear these may be cassette tape-based.
When I first read this book over ten years ago it felt like I was reading my own journal (if my journal was written in incredibly eloquent prose). I https://ecosoberhouse.com/ almost wanted to snap it shut, but instead finished it in one day and have read it at least three more times since. Knapp so perfectly describes the emotional landscape of addiction, and as a literary study it’s as perfect a memoir as I’ve ever read.
First, recovery. Then, the rest of your life.
It may have originally been published in 1952, but as far as I’m concerned it’s just as relevant today. Sure, the quotes can be great in and of themselves, but sometimes you need a little more insight just to nudge your perspective to a healthier or a more informed or enlightened perspective. It explains why a recovering alcoholic may need help to start over, and it talks about finding ways to let go of the past and focus instead on finding happiness in the here and now. It may be short for sure, but it sure does cover all the important things for family members to think about when dealing with their beloved sufferer. Then it goes on to explain the movement’s origins and how Alcoholics Anonymous works and helps so many people. In Adult Children of Alcoholics, Janet Woititz explores in great detail what it means to be an adult child of an alcoholic.
Tired of Thinking about Drinking: Take My 100 Day Sober Challenge by Belle Roberson
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcoholism, it is important not to let your life fall apart. Alcohol is highly addictive and life-threatening when abused; therefore, it is extremely important to seek help immediately if you or a loved one is struggling with this addiction. At Asheville Recovery Center treatment specialists utilize a 12-step program and practice holistic rehabilitation. They provide a lifeline of hope, coping techniques, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be in recovery. “Beautiful Boy” is a compelling account of a father’s journey to understand and cope with his son’s drug addiction.
The book is also supported by many stories from people who have recovered from alcoholism. These provide a human side to the information, making it feel like you’re not reading about “the facts” but actually talking to someone who has been through it all. If you’re looking for a guide for recovery, Living Sober is a great place to start. I recently read the book “Alcohol Explained” and I must say it is an extraordinary resource for anyone looking to learn more about the effects of alcohol, both on the individual and the community. It also covers topics such as alcohol addiction and how to deal with it, as well as the various health risks of drinking too much. Additionally, the book offers insight into the legal and social aspects of alcohol, as well as providing tips on how to drink responsibly.
Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction by Elizabeth Vargas
Recovery goes beyond quitting substance use disorder; it’s about finding balance and achieving spiritual sobriety. “Not Only Physical Sobriety” focuses on holistic approaches to recovery, emphasizing the need to heal your whole self, including mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects. It also provides insights into building healthy relationships and recognizing warning signs of relapse.
Through candid and humorous storytelling, she shares the challenges and triumphs of navigating social situations, dating, and self-discovery without alcohol. This book about alcoholics offers practical advice, heartfelt encouragement, and a refreshing perspective on the benefits of sobriety. Whether you’re sober-curious or seeking inspiration on your own journey to recovery, Gray’s honest and relatable writing will leave you feeling empowered and hopeful. The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober is a must-read for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and uplifting take on the sober life. Recovering from alcohol dependency can feel like navigating through a dense fog, where the path to clarity and self-awareness is obscured.
- Coulter shares her struggles with alcohol use and also the challenges of getting sober.
- The premise of this book is that every living creature has evolved to seek mind-alteration from the natural world around us.
- I often think about what it took to publish this when she did, in the 90’s, as a female and a journalist in Boston.
- The book focuses on the 3 legacies, namely recovery, unity and service.
- As her marriage dissolved and she struggled to find a reason to stay clean, Karr turned to Catholicism as a light at the end of the tunnel.
- With so many titles available, it can be difficult to know which ones to choose.
“Self is the opaque veil that hides the face of God from us.” Tozer is another author who has changed the course of my life and relationship with God. One of the most gifted and poetic writers of all time, Pursuit draws the reader into an even more intimate relationship with God than ever before. Tozer has many classics that every Christian should pick up on a daily basis. Mere Christianity deals with the fundamentals and doctrines of the Christian belief. Writing as a former atheist, Lewis writes in a way that anyone can grasp its powerful truth.
Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood
- Marlena’s dark habits worsen, though, and she ends up dead within the year.
- This is one of the first books I read about addiction ever, before I realized I had a problem.
- This book offers a whole-person approach that blends practical information on managing stress and regulating emotions without relying on food.
- My daily devotional that I read every day and cycle through every year.
There’s a long, beautiful history of writers chronicling how they’ve dealt with alcoholism and addiction. While mindfulness can help you with many different issues, it can also be used to help you understand and deal with Alcoholics Anonymous your own self-harming and procrastinating behavior. The book discusses how to do this, and it also discusses procrastination and how to deal with it. Mindfulness can be used to help you see the reasons behind your self-harming and procrastinating behavior, and to overcome it.
Memoirs About Alcoholism
As a best books for addiction recovery roundup review website editor, this book is a great resource for those looking to improve their mental wellbeing and take control of their lives. If you struggle with addiction, seeking treatment is a powerful, positive first step toward eventual recovery. But gaining an understanding of the causes of addiction—such as feelings of helplessness or loss of control—is also crucial for recovery. The Lost Weekend by Charles R. Jackson is a powerful and gripping novel that delves into the harrowing world of addiction. This book follows the protagonist, Don Birnam, as he spirals into a weekend of heavy drinking, grappling with the demons of his alcoholism.
