Alcoholism Books

"Pursuit of Ecstasy" has been selected for listing in "Religion and Psychoactive Sacraments: An Entheogen Chrestomathy." http://www.csp.org/chrestomathy

There is nothing quite like this in the literature of recovery from alcoholism. Jane S. is an alcoholic, manic depressive, sober since October 1970, active in the NCA under Marty Mann, a Corrections professional, past AA Trustees' Committee member on Corrections, active in all levels of AA service work, a former rehab counselor, a participant in the Kirk Seminars at the CAAS at Brown -- in short a woman of a truly remarkable breadth of experience and knowledge in recovery from alcoholism. Her book takes some of its inspiration from Marty Mann's Primer back in the 1950s, but it is aimed at helping answer present questions, in the present world, and it does a remarkable job of it. To me, as a scholar in the field, the book's greatest achievement is in the blending of the author's long personal and AA experience with knowledge of current biomedical and other scientific research -- to me as a literary critic, it is in capturing the author's very personal voice. Perhaps, in the not-too-distant future, along with the little black book (Twenty-Four Hours a Day), we will have this little gray book as a key to recovery from alcoholism. No better description has come my way of what life in AA is like, and what keeps AAs sober. Very highly recommended.

The only addictions counsleing book you will ever need ! ! !

I have worked in the mental health/additions field since 1975 and instructed college courses for alcohol/drug counselors. This book has it all - use the techniques here and you will be effective WITHOUT ANY OTHER TRAINING.

Guy C. Lamunyon MSN, RN, CAS
Email: Glamunyon@aol.com

Very good introduction to substance abuse and recovery with useful information for mental health professionals on various programs plus resources for lay individuals. Practical as a guide for training others.

I liked this book because I could relate to it in many ways. Addiction is a nice word for death in our society. Skip tells it like it is. This book is applicable for whatever is killing you: It could be alcohol or drugs, or it could be your job, your "friends", whatever your unsatiable desires are. Skip lets us in on his deliverance and new life free from those old killers. His honesty is both bold and refreshing, as he relates the truth.

For those who may not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, this book will help you understand the enslavement of all sin (not only the sin of drug addiction). Skip's honest, open and exciting story contains principals applicable to every life. If you have had enough pain, anger and hurt, Skip's honesty will lead you to The Truth, and you will also discover who you are in Christ and will you will be set on the path to true freedom, not just from substance abuse/addiction, but from sin.

Every Christian who reads this book will be able to relate their "old man" to Skip's. Regardless of their "sin of choice", Christians who read "Rediscovering Identity" will remember with joy their own miraculous deliverance as they read Skip's wonderful sharing of his own miraculous journey to joyful and abundant life in Christ.

This book will instill confidence in the walk of everyone who reads it.

In the detective novel the LONG GOODBYE, by Raymond Chandler, his hard-boiled detective, Philip Marlowe describes recovery from alcoholism as the lights changing colors and drinking friends become less fun and that the process takes 3 years. Raymond Chandler, who had personal experience with alcoholism, had great insight into the processes of relapse and recovery and he would have loved the subject of this review, RELAPSE AND RECOVERY IN ADDICTIONS edited by Frank M. Tims, Carl G. Leukefeld and Jerome J.Platt. Chandler appreciated the truth and RELAPSE AND RECOVERY IN ADDITIONS tells the truth about relapse and recovery. The book is a well balanced and comprehensive volume that sums up the contemporary research on relapse and recovery. As workers in the addictions are aware, the processes of relapse and recovery are complex and multi-determined. Similarly, RELAPSE AND RECOVERY IN ADDICTIONS appreciates the complexity of the task and covers the biological, psychological, social and cultural approaches to understanding,predicting and treating relapse and recovery in addictions. This book is no misguided attempt to seek simple but incorrect solutions but rather a realistic appreciation of the very complex conundrum that is treating addictions. The book provides a clear conceptual framework for understanding relapse and recovery, reviews the extant research on recovery and relapse and also describes the current status of the search for effective interventions. The volume is really quite eclectic in the range and depth of topics addressed, most likely reflecting the good judgment, wide knowledge and very even-handed approach of the editors to scientific findings. Interestingly, the authors who have contributed chapters are leading researchers in the field of addictions and the author list includes such addictions superstars as Robert L. Hubbard, M. Dougles Anglin, George DeLeon, Richard Schottenfeld, Harvey Siegal, Barry S. Brown, Patrick M. Flynn, Thomas R. Kosten and D. Dwayne Simpson, among a number of others. In closing, this book is an exceptional work and is destined to be seen as a contemporary classic and an essential reference for information on relapse and recovery. No serious student or researcher in the addictions should be without this book. I am sure that Raymond Chandler would have purchased a copy and perhaps reading the book would
have helped allow his lights to have changed colors a little quicker.

I was excited and grateful that this book is finally out. I am a therapist who often works with people from other cultural backgrounds and this book gives me some new tools to be more effective with my clients. It is well written and the research Mr. Williams did to come up with the culturally specific warning signs for African Americans made this book even more valid. This book is a must for therapists and counselors who have chemically dependent African American clients. It would also be beneficial for anyone in recovery, regardless of race.

Gave as a gift to a coworker who was promoted. He love it because easy to follow exercise for the population he is working with.

I know Paul Austin personally. I saw this man everyday almost for about 7 years and drew inspiration and strength from just being around him. I thought I knew him but this little book gave me insights into his and my life that still to this day amaze me. Just a little book that will let the common man or woman feel there is hope a nd recovery. This man saved my life!!

This book is well written with great insite to the trials and tribulations Kathie went threw. For those who suffer with anxiety this book is a guide to self healing. Wonderfully explaned and personal stories that help you understand that there is hope for anxiety suffers. Thank you Kahtie for written this book for people who need help and don't know where too turn. This book will Help. Joey G.