Abuse Books

Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for LIFE CHANGES
David L. Johnson, Ph.D. & Carole A. Johnson, I.D.
Infinity Publishing.com, Haverford, PA (Paperback)
Copyright December, 2000, 206 pages

LIFE CHANGES by David L. Johnson, Ph.D. & Carole A. Johnson is a book
anyone addicted to tobacco will wish they had found it years ago. As a motivational speaker that stresses results, I was happy to see that Life Changes had a similar orientation. The authors use a number of powerful techniques to help a person beat tobacco addiction. Techniques and strategies that have proven to help people make personal changes with affirmations, reasonable goals, daily plans to achieve them, visualization, relaxation, and appropriately stated aversive and positive suggestions.
All of the more than 120 techniques and strategies put together form a supportive, personal framework that empowers one to focus on short-term, then life-long results.
The key principles and skills provide more ways to use setbacks, when necessary,
to learn more about ourselves and enable us to use them to bounce back quickly
with less fear of relapse.

Life Changes uses a self-instructional, self-paced approach that anyone can use,
with an emphasis on taking personal responsibility to learn the skills you need.
You can start at any point in the book, and implement the steps in the order you
feel most confident with. I love how the book relies on the reader to be imaginative
and use their creativity to apply the program to daily life and adapt the skills to
their goal of beating tobacco for life.


Life Changes is a self-instructional, self-paced program that works in proportion
to the time and attention you give to learning how to use the program skills daily.
You may have tried to beat tobacco many times, but this time buy a book to use
that builds on what you know for life changes. I highly recommend it!

Edward W. Smith
Author, Sixty Seconds To Success
ISBN 0-9754164-0-5
www.brightmoment.com

In our modern-day addictive culture, it is no small wonder that the quick-fix approaches to stopping tobacco use are so often ineffective. Typically, these approaches are reflective of the instant gratification orientation of our society. People pay big money for patches, pills, programs and purges, while expecting an intractable addiction that may have taken a lifetime to develop to just suddenly go away. For those who have come to understand that ending tobacco addiction is not like having results served like fast-food, there is a powerful option that offers a high predictability of success.

Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for LIFE CHANGES, by David L. Johnson, Ph.D., and Carole A. Johnson, ID, is the definitive manual for those who truly wish to recover from their tobacco addictions. Written with candor, erudition and wit, the book takes the smoker (chewer, or dipper) by the hand and authoritatively walks him or her through a comprehensive but doable process that not only fleeces the person of a life-threatening habit - but builds in life enhancement skills that surpass any rewards they may have perceived in their tobacco use.

The 206 page quality paperback pursues a step-by-step process that begins with an orientation to the program, including a convincing review of current knowledge pertaining to the health and economic consequences of tobacco use that should strip away every last vestige of motivation for tobacco use in any sane person. We then find preparations for stopping use which cover every aspect of an individual's lifestyle that supports use and that might undermine the stopping process. Here, and throughout the book, the Johnsons have included worksheets that facilitate insight, individualized understanding of the process, and personalized application of the program to ensure success. The comprehensiveness of their approach is also found in their explanation of every strategic option that can be included in a person's individualized program, including the responsible and effective integration of nicotine-replacement products like patches, gums, inhalers, and other cessation pharmaceuticals that are less effective when used alone.

Once understanding, confidence and a sense of competence have been established in the reader, the book moves into program strategies involving exercises that include powerful hypnotic imagery to undermine attraction for tobacco products and replace destructive behaviors with life-enhancing ones. Indeed, just reading the exercises - without taping and playing them in a relaxation/induction process - is enough to sicken the reader against the use of tobacco products for life! However, it is recommended that the reader individualize the exercises, as specified, and follow through with the authors' expert instructions. Incidentally, without going into detail regarding current research, the design of the exercises - including content and strategies - reveals a sophisticated understanding on the part of the authors with regard to subconscious learning processes and the power such processes can have on behavior change.

Finally, knowledge, process, and competence are blended into a creative integration that serves to develop a lifestyle that leaves no openings for a return to tobacco-using behavior. This leaving-no-stone-unturned approach to tobacco cessation impresses me as the most comprehensive and reliable option available.

Throughout, self-defeating thinking patterns are broken down and replaced with positive, life-enhancing ones in a process that makes this book a hallmark in the annals of stop-smoking strategies: it takes a total lifestyle approach to the problem. This total lifestyle approach demonstrates the Johnsons' understanding of what is necessary to tackling tobacco addiction in the way a surgeon understands the approach to cutting away a cancer - every part of the threatening tumor (thinking/feeling/behavior) must be removed or the life-threatening condition will spring anew and attack with a vengeance.

Unlike the less predictable, quick-fix, approaches to tobacco cessation, the Johnsons' Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for LIFE CHANGES offers lifestyle-oriented strategies that address the unique needs of every user in a warm and readable format that offers the best of what's out there. Unlike other approaches that require a full commitment before purchase, this book has such powerful introductory content that I would recommend it to those who are only thinking of stopping their tobacco use. At a modest $19.95 retail (US), I cannot suggest a more economic, powerfully effective, approach to stopping nicotine addiction and saving lives.

Granville Angell, EdS, LPC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Author of The God-Shaped Hole

Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for Life Changes
By David & Carol Johnson
Reviewed by Billie A Williams
ISBN # 0-7414-0481-8
2001 (206 Pages)

Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for Life Changes is more than just a healthy read. It is an activity book that will take you step by step through some very positive life style changes that can help you cease to use tobacco products.
With the Johnson's help you identify the problem situations where you would use tobacco. Then you develop specific plans for each situation so that you can visualize yourself dealing positively with the situation. By mentally rehearsing the plan, success is more likely. They stress that you should reward yourself when you do well, but also to not be afraid to modify your plans when necessary.
Dr Johnson addresses the principles you need to adapt to focus on your plan for action; these include Confidence, competence, commitment and creativity which he calls "4-Cing the future". Key principles in Life Changes makes it a book of crucial strategies that provide effective cessation tools with skill-based exercises, scripts, options and resources while also outlining specific activities that can you can use to target issues you define, and strategies you design to cope with the issues. Johnson then provides reinforcement of those actions through his scripts and scripts you record to personalize the program.
Dr Johnson inspires and re-enforces with his poetry and quotes from other sources. Stress relief through laughing, re-focusing, relaxation and affirmations provide a failsafe for those wishing to cease the habits of tobacco use. Johnson also touches on the use of hypnosis as an aid in his program. He defines the use of hypnosis by first defining the term as he sees it: hypnosis spontaneously occurs when we relax, focus attention, and engage in imaginative activity.
Then he walks the reader through some guided imagery that helps to focus attention on positive images. The imaginative/creativity exercises that follow involves exercises with word association, squiggles and shapes you turn into "stuff", headlines that are laughable, and other humorous one-liners.
The Johnson's never say they are the only or the best solution. They say *you* are the only solution; *you* are the best solution to cessation of tobacco use.
The back of the book is a veritable tome of resource places to further your education and find additional help. There are even worksheets to develop a maintenance program for yourself and one in the event that you slip.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a way to end the habit of tobacco use. Other uses of the program's strategies Could include weight control, stress management, and any one going through any life stresses, losses, or who has needs for more stability, resolve, and confidence.

"I was very ready to quit smoking many times in my life. When I began to read Stop Smoking and Chewing Tobacco for LIFE CHANGES, I realized I was reading something very new and different! This book appeals to anyone who needs a fresh approach to "just quitting" Through the use of LIFE CHANGES, I was able to really look at my motives and emotional needs surrounding smoking. The program put me on a path filled with information and humor which I could understand and build upon, using my own creativity. I was amazed at how enjoyable it was to participate in the planning and management of my own program. You will find everything in this book you need to know to finally end this "awful" dependency!"

I have been studying tobacco addiction and helping patients quit for over 25 years...Cessation has every thing to do with packing the brain with reasons to quit and techniques to help accomplish the goal. Each person has to decide which reasons apply personally. LIFE CHANGES is packed full of reasons to quit and exercises to help you take control of your life back from tobacco. It exposes tobacco not as a friend that settles you down and keeps weight off, but an enemy that robs you of over a decade of what should be golden years. I like this book and whole-heartedly recommend it to my patients. Congratulations to David and Carole Johnson! Through their book they will save and touch more lives than they will ever know. This book helps develop tools that, if achieved, will be far more powerful forces to combat tobacco addiction than any patch or gum could be.

The book clearly explains an observation and corrected an opinion. It explained the mentality of both the abused and abuser. And how their mental state controls their decisions and actions. My earlier opinion was that people in abusive conditions should attack it as agressively as possible or flee the environment at the first opportunity.

However, the book reveals how people in abusive conditions must balance that negative condition with the positive conditions of their life, such as, love for siblings, maintaining friendships, and holding on to their areas of control and freedom. Oh yes, the author showed how a person's history adds to the wisdom of today's decisions.

I read Strawberry Field while waiting for Hurricane Frances. And I finished it before the hurricane even made landfall! I thought the ending was excellent and the title perfect. I admire Susan Borges for writing this novel, which I believe is autobiographical at least to some degree. If it is not, she has a tremendous imagination. There are some similarities to my own childhood and to my memoir, which will be published in the next few months. This made me identify closely with Carolyn. While Susan Borges is a lawyer, I am a volunteer CASA/GAL child advocate. It was that experience that led me to write my story...to help children going through neglect and abuse now. Susan Borges' novel will help today's children. I applaude her for writing it. And I hope it is available in middle school and high school libraries and read by teachers, counselors, and court officials.

With her debut novel, Susan Borges brings us center-stage to the trials of young Carolyn. Before experiencing 'Strawberry Field', you may be of the opinion that impeccable breeding, privilege or guidance are necessary for prosperity; you may have believed that youth with such advantages over their contemporaries have a better chance of success. After reading this book, I predict that you will look deeper into the eyes of every young girl you encounter. And deeper still into the faces of accomplished adults around you . . . what have they prevailed through?

This is the story of the human spirit seeking light where darkness is most evident, and insisting that this life is one of possibility & promise. It will forever change your ideas about hardship, persistence, and the power of determination. Recommended read!

This is such a moving portrait of the strength of the human spirit. What I found most amazing was not only the child's victorious survival of unspeakable neglect and abuse, but her stubborn refusal, then and now, to be sabotaged by the weight of self-pity. In the same way she recounts her material hardships (shelter, food and clothing that was sporadic and minimal at best), I interpret her acknowledgment of her entire situation as if to say, "Well, this is what I have to work with, so it'll just have to do ... FOR NOW." Her graceful acceptance of what WAS never clouded her expectations of what could and should be. I cannot imagine anyone who will not learn from this book, and be better for having read it.

I have read perhaps hundreds of books, and "Stawberry Field" is one of the best. It brings to life on the page a spirit that simply refused to be broken, and by the end of the book, one understands very well the way this brave little girl saved herself and her essential goodness. You see the many simple choices she made, instinctively and unfailingly, for the postive. It leaves you with a feeling of hope and affirmation.

I particularly liked the way Carolyn's sister was charactertized, how their everyday love and kindness for each other was able to counteract some of the hideousness of their father's degeneracy, and the great gift this was for Carolyn.

Another of this book's great strengths is its plain style. In the deftest simplicity of expresson, Ms. Borges depicts the forces that break families over years and generations. One sees all the ways people took their inherited character, and made it better, or worse by their choices. It renders this an excellent book for a teacher or counselor have on hand when one is on the receiving end of a "Nothing is wrong", as Miss Ruillet was. The child protection system in this society is worse than useless, and most abused children must find their own way. This book can be a light in the tunnel for them; as it offers simply stated ways to cope.

I hope Ms. Borges write a sequel. I would love to see the journey of Carolyn to being Judge Lowell, of her sisters, and of all the people she meets on the way, for that would be an inspiring story, too. I didn't want "Strawberry Field" to end.

I was fortunate to hear Ms Hayward speak at a book group meeting recently. I had already been impressed by the book and felt even more so after the meeting. This book has you gasping in horror and crying, yet even at odd moments laughing. The characters are so real and the subject matter so grim; they're a real reminder of what fear can do to warp reasoning. It seems to me that those horrors of 1970s South Africa; loss of individual's freedom, and abuse of power, are things that re-visit again and again in different times and places. Sometimes they are very close to home.

A thriller and historical, - this was a page turner. A very interesting expose of South Africa during apartheid.

When we see what's going on now in Iraq in terms of abuse of prisoners, it doesn't sound too different from what happened in this novel, A TELLING TIME. There seemed to be no hope in South Africa then, but as one reads this book, it becmes apparent that it was possible to reconcile. Perhaps we can hope for such a miracle here.

What a wonderful novel, and so visual that you feel you are in the room with the characters. Glynnis Hayward has created a page-turning novel that helps you understand South Africa during apartheid. Read this book!

Once I had started reading A Telling Time by Glynnis Hayward, I could not put the book down. The story line is gripping: it not only made me much more aware of South Africa during the 1970's and how brutal the police system was for opponents of the government, it questioned the horror that humans can inflict on each other. The lessons learned from the story apply much more broadly than apartheid South Africa. The book helped me understand vividly how undemocratic regimes with security apparatus that has no limit to its power can exercise control and terror over its citizens. It did so with chilling descriptions of torture, brutality and deception yet kept me hooked with the courage of people who defied the system at great personal cost. This is a must read

Where do I begin in describing this ink of Audrey Michelle?
It is sensual and poignant, salient and clever, inspirational and surreal. You can feel her joy and desperation with every breath; you reminisce and contemplate in every thought. Her words are confronting in their honesty because the lady is so real.

Well done...

Audrey's words, whether written or spoken, speak miles to my heart. Her imagery and unique use of styles keeps you at the edge of each write. I feel that I have gained a great knowledge of who Audrey Michelle is and wants to be: A phenomenal person and Author.

Audrey's poetry goes right to the heart, and from there rushes through your body to set you on fire, or to freeze you. Some pieces about death, that invite to meditate about life and death. And many juicy pieces, the most uninhibited erotic poetry I ever read!

3D Stereoscopic Portraits - Photography by Rolf Bertram - Posing by Audrey Michelle: Color and Infrared

Flexible: Posing by Audrey Michelle

This book gives a great insight into the mind of the author. She shares the deepest of emotions and makes herself open and accessible for her readers. Readers of any background will be able to relate to the universal themes and deep emotional commentary.

This book, with its juicy poetry and provocative photography really were a treat for my husband and me. It takes you to the lowest of lows, but brings you back up to the highest of highs. I'd recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a well-rounded portrayal of a real woman.

Though I am merely half way through the book, I am highly impressed by it. The sheer wealth of knowledge that I gained regarding my own actions and the mechanisms that trigger them is staggering. Literally, everything that I do now and have done in the past makes perfect sense when put into the context of misery addiction. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book to anyone, whether they believe they may be a misery addict, might know a misery addict, or merely wish to read about a condition that is truly fascinating in it's complexity.

AK really nails the problem definition, although I would quibble that she missed a trigger. For me, a major relapse will be traced back to a feeling of accomplishment. And the level of accomplishment that will trigger keeps diminishing. But the result is the same as shaming, etc.

AK paints such a vivid portrait of my own life, I need to send a copy of this book to everyone I've ever been late for. I finally GET THAT.

She gives an example of infant attachments - baby cries, mother responds caringly, or mother just shoves bottle in baby's mouth and leaves. I wish she had addressed the third very likely option in our day - the schedule babies. I've waded thru a lot of attachment material in the past year, trying to figure out what 'happened' to me - she points me to Fonagy next.

I've done ARTS Anonymous, CODA, OA, and a Linehan-rules Dialectial Behavior Therapy group for borderlines - I can't deal with being around all those mean blind crazy people whose lives are in danger! AND who HAVE a significant other, and/or kids, so what are they complaining about? I'm afraid even to brush my teeth sometimes, which they probably dismiss as trivial. But if my gums start un-receding - MISERY RELAPSE. Because they didn't HAVE toothbrushes in the old country when my mother was growing up. So how can I even have my teeth without seeing that scowling face? Call my sponsor? FEEL that hateful anger and jealousy. Hey! I just did a little work-thru!

So - this book came along at just the right time for me, although I wish that time had been 30-40 years ago. I'm hoping to sign up for Ms. Katherine's weight loss phone support groups this fall (2008) and do the winter seattle weekend retreat. I think - if you don't have to explain the PROBLEM to the person, you can spend all your time together coming up with solutions.

Ms. Katherine, thank you so much for this book and what you put of yourself into it. It must have been very painful to relive and recount, but so completely generous, unique, and creative of you to do so.

Whether they like it or not, admit it or not, a large number of people are "addicted to misery." Misery addiction is an insidious form of self-sabotage that manifests in a large number of very different, but very "general" ways. For instance, we may habitually make choices that set us up to fail, or we may abandon projects right before they succeed. Maybe we choose abusive partners and friends; maybe we're chronically underemployed. Perhaps we avoid happiness because of a persistant fear that we will *lose* that happiness. Each issue-- in one way or another-- adds up to living a life in which we never really feel content or fulfilled, and like the "good things" of life somehow keep passing us by.

Whatever the issue might be, conventional psychology either does not recognize Misery Addiction at ALL, or it chalks such problems up to more "popularly acceptable" causes, such as poor self-esteem, lack of assertiveness, ADHD or some other more widely recognized "syndrome." In this groundbreaking new book, author and psychotherapist Anne Katherine explains that there's really much more at work here.

The book is divided into two main sections. Part One ("Understanding the Problem") is dedicated to explaining and identifying the various aspects of Misery Addiction. In short, easy-to-read chapters, the author takes us through descriptions of what exactly Misery Addiction IS, then on to explaining the strange paradoxes that lie at the heart of Misery Addiction; where we may have learned during our upbringings, and how we now engage in certain behaviors that keep up from reaching happiness in life. Throughout, Katherine illustrates her descriptions with examples from her own psychotherapy practice and Misery Addiction retreats, and also includes a number of small self-tests and quizzes to help readers understand precisely where their "traps" lie.

Part Two ("Finding and Living the Solution") deals with recovery from Misery Addiction. Katherine is a strong proponent of following the basic "12-step program" format, as the optimal road to recovery. Even if you do not have a local MAA (Misery Addicts Anonymous) meeting, she recommends recommends getting involved with a 12-step group. This section also includes several chapters with "tools" to help the recovering Misery Addict deal with life. Finally, there is a helpful appendix with resources; how to set up and run a MAA group, notes to therapists, national 12-step organizations, and more.

Final thoughts: Highly recommended (9 out of 10 possible bookmarks). This is a much needed book on a topic that generally is not covered by conventional psychology or therapy. My only reservation is the extremely heavy reliance on a 12-step program as "the solution" to a complex matter, while very little information is offered about other therapeutic options. But that's a minor niggle-- this is a highly worthwhile book!

When Misery Is Company: End Self-Sabotage And Become Content by psychotherapist, licensed mental health counselor, and popular author Ann Katherine offers the reader exercises, anecdotal personal stories, and an insightful, gentle wisdom focused on the self-defeating practice of trying to guard against disappointment, fear or shame by not allowing ourselves to fully experience intimacy, success, or pleasure. Sound psychology combined with a natural talent for writing fully engage the reader's total and thoughtful attention from first page to last as individual chapters are grouped into two major parts: "Understanding the Problem" and "Finding and Living the Solution". Enhanced with five appendices and an index, When Misery Is Company is especially recommended for those seeking assistance in developing their own personal growth on the basis of sound psychology and practical experience.

I first encountered Anne Katherine's writing when I took a continuing education course about setting boundaries. I am continually impressed with her clear and unique insights. She is able to see and UNDERSTAND humans and human interaction in an exceptionally clear way. In this book, she communicates what so many of us have been unable to express and overcome within ourselves. The dynamics of self-sabotage and self-created misery are finally understood and explained in a whole and empowering way. She teaches and shows the way past a painful, self-defeating life.

I really enjoy this book. I read from it every day. Highly recommend it.

This is a very inspiring book. It's small....but great things always come in small packages.

Great book for anyone, expecially if you are in a 12 step program. I give this book away for "anniversaries."

I spend the last minutes of my day in meditation. This book is a nice addition to my routine.

This book was purchased for a gift to a recovering alcoholic. He does a lot of reading and meditation and was extremely pleased with the book. I feel this was a gift, well-chosen. Short reads and thoughts for meditation.

An excellent book for those falsely accused. In a time where anything a child says is taken as truth it is good to see that Dean Tong found the voice for the falsely accused. Today children know exactly what to say and what to do to get even or back at a parent. Children of divorce are all to often used as weapons against their parents. This book gives attention and detail to the system and the behind the scenes accounting of the process on abuse allegations. Dean Tong gives a voice and manual to the many who are or will be falsely accused. It can happen to anyone, read the book and learn to protect yourself.

"America went from a scant 3,000 reported incest cases in 1980, to over 132,000 in 1987. And nearly 500,000 by 1990." This quote from the book alone should tell anyone that this is an extremely important and invaluable book. It is a MUST READ, not only for anyone suddendly faced with allegations of child abuse, but all lawyers, judges, social workers and pyschologists who work anywhere near this area. Finally, we have guidelines for descerning real abuse charges from false ones, and a template for how to defend against the exploding number of false charges, by a team of experts who have worked this field for 20 years. As these charges are made in civil court, no one should be naive about the fact you are guilty until you go to the large expense of proving yourself innocent. And it is no longer only men caught in this. "Today, there is a growing body of allegations against women."

This really is a-must-have book for anyone interested in the false accusations of child abuse. Very clear and accurate. I give this book five stars!

There are many unexpected gems in this book: Chapter 10 has a wonderful, very useful explanation on anatomical dolls; I particularly liked pages 105, 108, and 112. In Chapter 11 on "Agencies," look forward to page 121. And Chapter 12 describes a volunteer court-monitoring system which excited my pronounced sense of proactivism. Sate your appetite for very useful information. Happy Holidays from falseallegations.com!

Ashes to Ashes...Families To Dust is a realistic view on child abuse in the world today. The truth is scary and Dean Tong writes it like it is. Ashes to Ashes makes you stop and think about the way you have or may now be raising your children. Anyone going through divorce or seperation should read this book you won't be sorry. Don't be a victim.

I have a friend that went through a lot of the pressures that Ferrell's main character, Anna, went through. She had controlling parents that dictated how she was to live her life. This caused her to rebell just like Anna. She did not have a forbidden love like the character but she married an abusive spouse like Chad. I watched her go through fear and depression but unlike Anna, she did not escape. The novel may have given her hope and the strength to get out of the situation. The book touched me on so many levels because it does indeed bring hope and an interal healing. I have shared the book with my husband and he also loved the work because he saw how it brings peace to those with scares. I do highly recommend this novel. Pen name, Ann Thompson

A powerful work that searches deep inside a broken woman. Anna is a character that teaches lessons in inner forgiveness and personal responsiblity. She learns the importance of healing. Her story reaches out not just to woman but to people. The novel is about facing conflict. Whether Anna deals with the heatache of her parents conditional love or the fear of losing her true love, she finds the inner strength and courage inside herself. As well, she overcomes an abusive marriage and finds the true meaning of friendships and acceptance of others regardless of race, religion or any other factor.

Told through the eyes of Anna, a thirty year old woman reflecting upon her life, Autumn Seclusion is a tale of coming to grips with one's hidden fears and blemishes. Anna's experience of rejection at home set her up for a succession of draining and abusive relationships. The one loving relationship she experienced was with a Native American from Upstate, New York; her family severed her ties at home, and she eventually left the United States entirely to reconstruct her life. A tale that encourages the reader to think long and hard about themselves and the ones they love, Autumn Seclusion is ultimately a tale of the meaning of forgiveness. Highly recommended.

A powerful book that can help women undergoing a crisis. Ferrell's writing is savory and deep. She paints a beautiful picture of the Carolina shores and Thailand. The work brings hope and healing to not just women but also men.

I read Ms. Ferrell's book, Autumn Seclusion, several months ago. The main character struggled with adolescence, failed romances and an abusive marraige. However, she found the strength to slow her life and really look at how she was living. Fortunately, she realized family's importance and her own self worth. She gave all of us hope that we too can overcome adversity.

I purchased this book for my daughter. She collects Marilyn Reynolds books. She loved it. It arrived before the due date in good condition. I would have no problems ordering from this site in the future.

I absolutely loved this book. This is my third time reading it. Marylin Reynolds is a great author I am going to continue to buy more of her books.

Melissa is 17 and already has a two-year-old daughter named Cheyenne. She lives with Rudy, Cheyenne's father, and Irma, Rudy's mother.
During school one day a guest speaker talks to Melissa's class about abused and battered women and about a safe house for them. Melissa doesn't believe she is abused because after all Rudy only hits her when he's drunk. She doesn't get clarity on the situation until Rudy yells at Cheyenne and handles her roughly. Melissa leaves Rudy and goes to the home for battered women, where she meets Daphne, a girl around her age with a three-year-old son. Daphne's husband was her abuser. Daphne's time at the home was short and in just a few weeks she leaves for a halfway house to continue on her journey of healing. With Daphne gone Melissa is lonely and goes back to the only place where she never thought she belonged, to the home of Rudy and Irma.
By being back with Rudy and Irma, she is in a more dangerous situation than before. The physical abuse is worse and the mental abuse has hit a new high. Rudy controls Melissa's every move and she allows it until she hears the news on Daphne. Daphne had also been back in touch with her Husband and was found dead on her apartment floor with her son trying to wake her.
Melissa is horrified and runs from Rudy without looking back. She finds a safe haven at a friend's house until she is back in touch with her mother. Her mother allows her to stay there. Melissa finishes school and is offered a secretary job through her computer science class. I think that is was great how even though Melissa was going through a rough time she manages to finish school, get a job and still put her daughter first. The author portrays this very well because Melissa is very concerned with things like daycare constantly and even when she runs away she doesn't feed herself but she buys Cheyenne what ever she wants.
I didn't like the fact that Cheyenne was suppose to be two but was portrayed in the book as much younger. I do not believe that this is a result of Reynolds's inability to write but more to do with lack of experience with young children. You can visualize Reynolds writing because she uses lots of detail. I believe she should have done more research or observed children in a day care.
I would recommend this book to anyone. It was heartfelt and well written. When Melissa is running from Rudy and holding her daughter you could hear her deep breaths, almost feel like you were running right along side her. At one time or another, anyone would be able to relate to the book and feel the emotions that Melissa is experiencing. Because Melissa escapes Rudy, it makes the book worth reading.

I loved this book it is the best book for a teen to read. In the book the girl is getting abused by her boyfriend then they have a child together and the abuse is more severe than before. so what happens towards the end the girl decide that her daughter dosen't need to see her father beating on her mother so she decides to move to a home for abused women and she stays for six weeks and then decides to move with her mother and her mothers friend. When she moves with them her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer and the girls mother goes through chimotherapy and radiation therapy . The point of the book is that women don't neeed to be abused.

Marilyn Reynolds is my new favorite author! Her books capture teen issues, and all of them are so realistic. When I saw this book in the library, I decided to read it. It was the first book by Marilyn Reynolds I ever read.

~*~

'Baby Help' is the story of seventeen-year-old Melissa, who struggles with her two-year-old, Cheyenne, and her abusive boyfriend. Melissa loves Rudy, her boyfriend and the father of Cheyenne, but Rudy hits Melissa. He has for a long time, but nobody's perfect, right? That's what Melissa says, but she can't stand the fact that Rudy is so cruel. But when Rudy really hurts her, Melissa and Cheyenne go to a shelter for battered women.

This is a page-gripping, powerful story of how a teen Mom deals with her abusive lover. I reccomend this for ages 12-90! This book is great!

This was eye opening. I am the family member of an alcoholic and this book tells the truth about addiction!

This book is written in a simple question and answer format. This helps make important information very understandable. The book covers both alcoholism and drug addiction and basically, they are the same disease since alcohol is a drug. What Dr. West makes clear is that addiction is a life long battle. Even after years of recovery, relapsing is possible. Accordingly, it is essential to attend AA meetings or NA meetings even after years of sobriety. If you learn only one thing from this book, it should be that recovery never ends and that, therefore, the alcoholic must never again have a drink and that the addict must never again try any kind of mood altering drug, regarless of whether that drug is legal or not.

In the answer to one question, Dr. West sets forth the outwardly visible symptoms of addiction. What he had to say was uncanny. I have a family member who is a recovering addict and Dr. West could have been describing him. The family member had mood swings, lowered grades and eventually nonattendance at school, different friends than he used to have, he lied, stole, and basically fit Dr. West's description perfectly. I thank God that due to therapy of the type advocated by Dr. West, my loved one is in recovery and has a new, positive attitude. Seeing this description and learning that people fitting the description can and do remain in recovery has given me hope.

I highly recommend this book. Although it was written several years ago, it is in no way dated and remains completely relevant. It is a truly essential resource for addicts and their families.

During Family week at the BFC I sat in a lecture conducted by Dr. West. It was during this informal lecture that I came to the reality that I had all of the characteristics of an alcoholic and was in need of help to save my life just as much if not more than the family member I was there for. The main item in the "Book of Answers" that made me realize this, among other things, is listed on pages 20-21. Dr. West reviewed them and realized I had most of the attributes of an alcoholic.

I've been clean and sober for over 10 years. BFC and Dr. West literally "SAVED MY LIFE". I only pray that many other lives as well as relationships can be saved and mended by reading this "Book of Answers". Thank You Betty Ford Center and Dr. West.

This book is a compendium of multiple newspaper columns written over several years. In it Dr West shares practical knowledge, insights, and compassion that is rarely seen in medical texts. As a medical oncologist I have occasion to work with many people with varying stages of alcoholism. I have found this book very helpful for practical points of view that are not seen often in medical literature. I recommend this easy to read useful book by this authoritative source to all in the healthcare profession.

A clear, easy to read but thourough treatment of substance abuse and it's effects on the victims and their families. Dr. West is able to explain many types of substance abuse, their origins and then make practical suggestions for recovery.