Addictions Books

This plain-language book explains the rationale for and how to apply the 12-step program pioneered by AA. The result is recovery from alcoholism, addiction, and a host of other problems.

I recommend this book to everyone in AA and in "treatment." The program works - try it. What have you got to lose?

This book makes it easy for those who struggle with the language of AA's text. It's a great companion!

This is the best spiritual book I have ever read because it is about 'doing' rather than theorizing. God is a verb, not a noun. It takes the traditional 12 Steps and makes it applicable for everyone, even if you're not fortunate enough to be an alcoholic. That sounds odd, but if you speak to many recovering alcoholics, they thank their disease and their use of the 12 Steps for their awakening to a Spirit-infused universe.

Spirit vs Spirit! This is the definitive essay on living a free life! Don't whine--Just work the steps.

This book is wonderful. Mark tells of his own battle with alcoholism and his determination to become sober. He gives a good insight on the root of alcoholism. His recovery alone is inspiration for anyone to believe that they too can be sober.A must read for anyone who is trying to over come an addiction.

I wish all parents of high school age children would read it. It is so very true to life. I still have broken diningroom chairs as testimony to my children's highschool days.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Judge's book. Not only does he provide educational information on the root of alcoholism, he tells a very entertaining story of his youth. Many times I laughed out loud. My only complaint (which isn't one concerning the story) is that the book was printed on paper that utilized only half the page. A lot of wasted space.

I read this collection of sermons in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. And I wished I could have heard them. This message is powerful (of course! It's got the power of the Creator of the universe behind it!) and practical. These words grasp the hurting soul and show a better way, a way out of pain. No sugar coating or shortcuts here.

In looking for a book to give advice to a heartbroken teenage Christian girl - who had fallen into sexual sin- I stumbled upon this treasure. How refreshing to hear from an African American male on this subject. As a female, we can only give girls so much advice, but when the girls hear it from the male point of view, maybe they will believe what Christian mothers have been trying to say to their daughters for years. I also found the book helpful for parents as well. Have your teen read this book as soon as the issue of dating comes up!

It went from curiosity to a life-changing journey. Dr. Thomas has delivered his soul to people struggling with relationship additions. He delivered his heart and faith to the fiber of my feelings. It was during the second reading that I transformed from teacher to pupil. I have taught teens for years the fundamentals of love God's way. Never have I heard so succinctly the truth God's love His way. Melodramas, relationship additions, sex-capades and stuck on stupid are all spelled with care and honesty from an author with an attitude. His book shook my soul and broke my heart. I knew God was dealing with my own weaknesses, then. When God's uses this author in real time, you know a booklet of this caliber has the passion and power of a preacher at large. He delivered his soul and saved mine. Read it and be changed. It may save your relationships.

I am fortunate to have experienced Candy Finnigan's experience, strength and hope in person. I adore her huge heart and have often been deeply moved by her tears of joy when she listens to someone she has helped share about their recovery.

I'm so glad she has written a book so that people around the world can benefit from what she has so freely given to recovering addicts. There is nothing an alcoholic or addict can put over on Finnigan! Trust me. She always has an answer for every excuse, every "Yes, but..." She's amazing. She's a gift. She is Blessed. And she's heard 'em all!

This is the second copy I am buying - the first was for a family who needed it - this one is for me, even after 20 years in recovery. If you think you know someone who is having problems with addiction - - please buy this book. You may just save a life- like Candy has.

Candy Finnigan is caring professional and one of the most skilled interventionists in the United States. Her insight into healing a family and helping an individual is unparalleled.

If you suspect that you might be "loving them to death", you probably are. This book offers hope. Organized, experienced, well trained and focused hope for those of us who love someone whose life has become unmanageable.

One of the most frustrating and demoralizing experiences men and women have is watching the horrifically destructive impact of addiction upon the health, life, and relationships of a loved one. Often the disastrous consequences of addiction are so severe that we are led to shake our heads and wonder why the addict cannot simply stop the addiction that has so enslaved and ruined them. In "Why Don't They Just Quit?: What Families And Friends Need To Know About Addiction And Recovery", drawing upon thirteen years as an addiction counselor working in the Colorado criminal justice system, Joe Herzanek (himself a recovering addict who founded and presides over the Changing Lives Foundation) provides answers to more than thirty common (and not so common) questions that non-addicts have with respect to a loved one's addiction. Herzanek explains with illustrative clarity why addicts don't really have to hit 'rock bottom' before they are willing to be helped; when helping an addict is counter-productive; why quitting an addiction is not the same thing as recovering from that addiction; how to deal with an addict who has relapsed; how to obtain a 50% (or more) reduction in the medical costs of addiction treatments; why a parent would leave their own child due to a parent's addiction; why an effective intervention need not be an ambush-style confrontation with the addict. Articulate, 'real-world' practical, thoroughly 'user friendly', and strongly recommended reading, "Why Don't They Just Quit?" is also available on DVD. Counseling centers and community libraries are particularly encouraged to buy a "Why Don't They Just Quit?" book/DVD set for $39.95 to provide their patients and patrons with the alternatives of a book or DVD format.

I was one of the first to recieve Joe's Book "Why Don't they Just Quit?,I
truly touched by Joes's struggles through life and was able to help his
son avoid the very same problems he experienced in early adulthood.We all are affected by addictions, the person at work, a distant family member or even our own family. Joe opens his life for everyone to see, and will help parent's and loved ones to look for warning signs and identify steps a concerned person can take, along with a professional's advice.

Joe is committed to anyone with an addiction, to begin recovery and total freedom. I encourage anyone, whether you are a parent, spouse or friend of an addict, or person with the problem, to take advantage of this information and once and for all, break the chains of addiction.

Thank You Joe, For Having the Gut's To Get Real and Intern Save Lives.


Michael Watkins

Everyone's heard an addict's story - in one way or another. But, has anyone ever really understood it? From the opening page of this book, the reader is treated to real-life stories, practical tools and thought-provoking quotes that illustrate the journey to... through... and from addiction. The dynamics of the addict and their social structures are finally explained; from the environments they migrate to, the people they surround themselves with and finally, to the families that suffer as they watch their loved one's battle with addiction. An addict does not have to be one who is addicted to alcohol, a narcotic or a prescription. It could be food, or acceptance, or the overwhelming need to 'save' someone. No one is left behind in their quest for information in 'Why Don't They Just Quit'. This book will help not only the addict who doesn't yet 'recognize' themselves. But, it could also help the family and loved ones who just don't get... why they don't just quit!

This book is a page turning, 'Most-Frequently-Asked-Questions' life-manual for anyone who wants to understand addiction and how it happens. With it, an addict is given the map on how they got that way; and the tools they'll need to find their way back. Family, friends and the addict's significant others are encouraged to face the role they play in the addict's life.

"Don't clean me up... I need to remember - and see - what I have done."

Everyone caught in the web of addiction are allowed, with this book, to interpret their actions and how they may be enabling the addict. Most of all, the addict learns to understand that quitting their addiction does not mean that they are no longer an addict... but that they are a recovering one.

To stop using... does not 'fix' you. You must fix you!

Being clean and sober does not mean 'the cure' has been found. That's when the work really begins - because everyone in an addict's life needs to recover.

"To stop... is to begin."

'Why Don't They Just Quit' is an amazing testimonial to the struggles of everyone involved in addiction. It describes the tools to be 'well'; and prompts the courage to use them! Kudos to the author(s) to understand that people are interested in what the "bystanders" go through when someone they love is addicted. I think there are a lot of books written about/to the addict, but not so many about those whose lives are affected... and how they cope. I think that the "Al-Anon world" would be very interested. Everyone... should be interested in this book.

Review by: Robin R. Rogers - Author of ROCK BOTTOM

I bought this book for my husband who is suffering from mild depression but have read it myself from cover to cover. This was surprising because I am not a big fan of self help books.

Brilliant book for those searching to understand what is going on inside our mind and what are the origins of mental and even physical illness. I will make sure my husband reads this book because it is extremely helpful to change ways of thinking and behaving. Besides, there is a lot of interesting facts, for example, about memory of water and how our emotions affect the structure of water.

Very recommend this book for everybody not only for those who suffers from depression.

This is an absolutely amazing book - I started reading it and could not stop untill I was done. It inspired and at the same time surprised me with unusual approach to resolving my everyday problems and stressful situations. It made me look differently at things and people surrounding me. It's like everything came together to one logical explanation and started making sense. The author's methodology is simple and effective. I tried it right away and was surprised to see that my headache was gone! This was something I did not expect just from mental realization of my emotions!
I will also try his method of analyzing and changing information of dreams. This topic has always interested me, and I have read a lot of books about dreams and dream analyzing, but nobody has ever told me that I can change my dream and become a master of my destiny.
Author covers many topics and uses great anecdotes and metaphors to make his points. This book prepares people for life and should be a required course for high schools and colleges. I would very recommend it to everyone.

Book presents an interesting and unique perspective on causes of our problems, provides clear insight, and practical solutions. Author establishes connection between stress in the past and illness (or psychological problem) in the present. We always hear that all problems are from stress but until now nobody gave a sound explanation HOW IT HAPPENS. I liked the way this book is structured - skeptic opposes the author. It works very well. I decided to send this book as Christmas present to some of my relatives.

Yesterday's Tomorrow is simply great. It is not ponderous or overly impressed with itself. It cuts like a knife but leaves you laughing. A great help for this alcoholic.
Jack B.

I have recently read this book and felt it warranted a special mention .It is a really valuable departure from the usual self-help formula view of life and life's problems. Though Barry L claims authorship of this collection of inspiring meditations and advice , he also acknowledges it is more a collection of shared wisdom from many people who have entered rehab and recovery from compulsive and addictive behaviours . It is especially aimed at 'hard-cases' ,people who usually struggle to take on board advice which is good for them ,and might want it framed a bit differently than the holier than thou self-help books usual angle.Life is not all roses and never will be ,but rather than succumb to an addiction to hide from confronting your problems it gently nudges you to see you are fooling nobody but yourself . It provides a coomon sense view ,the balanced view of life ,and encourages you to discover the power to change And because it is framed differently ,it hits home as plain common sense through a collection of short reflections and meditations ,gathered from the author's experience of recovery meetings of AA,Al anon ,etc. The wisdom and advice is coming from people who have been there,and it helps create that bond of shared trust and directness ,the kind of plain practical talk that inspires and motivates,gives confidence and helps provide the courage to change what can be changed . The advice goes beyond dealing with addictive behaviours ,such as alcohol,overeating ,gambling etc ,it can help rebuild your whole relationship with yourself and with others .

It has helped me ,Maybe it can help you too.

Such a delight! I read this book from cover to cover and simply restarted it again immediately. Lots of smiles and good thoughts for those of us struggling with sobriety and maintaining our sense of self and humor. DEFINITELY worth reading!

Our church has used this book for several years as part of our Steps to Freedom support group. This group provides men accountability, practical tips and principles for becoming truly free from from struggles with pornography, adultery, emotional disconnection or sexual withholding. We use this book paired with Steps to Freedom, also by Weiss. This is for men who really want to break free of these struggles through God's grace.

Dr. Weiss does an excellent job presenting practical exercises to help the recovery process of the Sex Addict. His writing is simple at a high school or below level reading level, but the concepts and power of the exercises don't lose their effectiveness even for scholarly readers.

Although this is a "Christian Guide," Dr. Weiss does not taut theology and takes a very gentle approach to spiritual concepts, many times assuming the reader has no or little spiritual background.

This is one of the most powerful tools I've found in working with addicts to recover. Highly recommended.

This book contains what you need to get the meetings started. Very helpful in gaining serenity and a wonderful way to fellowship!!!

This book does exactly what it says it will do, help make better 12-step meeting discussions. This tiny book will last more than one lifetime. There are so many good ideas that it's hard to get through ten of them. Great book.

I am in the process of reading this book; so far, so good. Mr Williams tells it like it is and has been for anyone suffering through the addiction of alchol. I can identify with the contents of Mr Williams book. I also believe, as he does, we all have addictions of some sort. I have been sober for 36 years and been a Christian for 23 years. The Bible truly tells us how to arrest our addictions, all we need to do is surrender ourselves to Him and His way.

Ike Daugherty

I bought this book for my brother after hearing Don Williams at a healing conference. My friend borrowed the book stating it was so helpful that she needed to keep it to read again. I couldn't get it back from her! I bought my brother another and he took it to his AA/NA meetings to share contents with others in his group. He told me that before I bought the book for him, he had heard about it from a number of people in the struggle to be freed from addiction.

This book will bless your life. Don seems to teach what he preaches and preaches what he lives. Before I was introduced to 12 steps with Jesus, I basically had little that I could refer clients to for reading that encompassed real experience and the word of God. I thank God for empowering Don's life to write this book. If you are a pastor, read it. If you are struggling with addiction and desire to be healed, don't stop until you get it. If you have family members who are addicted, buy it, read it, give it to them and discuss it with them. It will bless their lives. Peace