Alcoholism Books

One of the FINEST books on the process of relapse. Mr. Du Wors presents a finely crafted work; clear and concise, offering the reader a NEW look at an old problem. Written for the practicing therapist, student, and most important of all, the recovering individual. SUPERB text for use in the classroom with begining students in the field of chemical dependency counseling. Mr. Du Wors brings deeper meaning and understanding to the idea that many recovering people experience, "One won't hurt." A fine blend of 12 step philosophy, and a practical, workable guide that will CHANGE the way you look at relapse - one drink, one cigarette, or one line of cocaine does not have to lead to another and another. A MAJOR WORK in the field of addictions that has been needed in a critical and long misunderstood area of human behavior. The chain of relapse has finally been broken. Read this book today it will CHANGE the way you view the relapse process!

I read this book when I was in high school (a long time ago) and I still remember how good it was. Excited to read it again. Not a predictable ending. Excellent!!!

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

In Wings Born Out Of Dust, Russ Turner gives the reader an up close exposure to homeless life on the streets of Los Angeles through letters and phone calls to his mother in Texas. From a musical prodigy who worked with the likes of Buddy Rich, Lainie Kazan and Smoky Robinson to the proverbial prodigal, Russ Turner experienced the highs and lows of both ends of the creative spectrum. Time-after-time, he recovered from alcohol addiction only to yield repeatedly to the lure of the streets. Was it alcohol? Was it low self-esteem? Was it genius gone mad? Or was it a condition of man that has yet to be logically explained? How does a mom survive the endless mental torture of failed promise? A must read for anyone interested in the human psyche.

Recovery is a hard process - you must shake off something that has been such a huge part of your life for so long - while dealing with the horrifying reality you've let it dominate your life for that long. "A Woman's Guide to Recovery" is a guide to help women along that long, treacherous path. It covers the basics of addiction, the principles of twelve step programs, how it's different for women trying to shake their addiction, advice for taking care of ones' self, dealing with ones emotions as an adult, how your addiction has been affecting ones relationship with everyone they know and care for, among other advice. "A Woman's Guide to Recovery" is highly recommended to community library women's issues shelves, and for any women trying to get the proverbial monkey off their back.

.....what a woman and her children go through and feel in living with the chaos, confusion, hurt, frustration and sadness that are part of an alcoholic marriage. It made me feel much better and is easily the most accurate and powerful book I have read on the subject. I checked a copy out of my library over & over for a whole year and finally decided to buy a copy through Amazon! Every woman struggling in an alcoholic marriage NEEDS this book.

Despite it being dated, librarians (both traditional and virtual) will benefit from this research work. It is a good model of viewing information as a social utility. Information visualization in bibliographies, though an old method now, is still a useful method to present information, content and context. Luckily, alcohol is like smoking, described in the American usage as drug (but not that bad!!!), and this book serves the goodies in this context.

So first of all this is a great help for folks in early recovery. The specific tools in the first few chapters can help anyone coping with the stresses of work. A whole chapter on managing anger, and lots of real life stories of folks using these tools to make recovery work. But the best part of the book is the last few chapters. He talks about making the workplace more humane, about applying the 12 steps to management, and about living your dream. If you don't have a 12 step orientation it might put you off, but otherwise it's great. Even includes addictions like overeating, gambling, sex, all the finer things in life. He also has a great sense of humor, and is easy to read!

Bryan Robinson has written a highly readable, yet exceedingly specific and "hands-on" training book for the treatment of children of alcoholics. He is able to capture their specific clinical problem areas, and to give step by step instruction in ways to intervene. His description of the use of groupwork has been invaluable to this clinician, both in my own clinical work, and in my role as teacher to other clinicians.He is also able to incorporate the research of other pioneers in this field in in order to substantiate his ideas

Alcoholism, violence, addiction, depression. Not your typical topics in the corporate boardroom.

Until now.

In his new book "Workplace Intervention," James Fearing, Ph.D. brings these issues out of the shadows and boldly presents a wake up call to corporate America: it's their problem, but it's your business.

Ignore employee addiction, et. al., at your own risk, because it's your business that has the most to lose when these [diseases] are left untreated. Dr. Fearing convincingly informs us that "the terrible waste of human potential...the loss in productivity, profits, and overall performance is staggering -- topping $102 billion in 1995."

"But we have an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) onsite", the HR Director exclaims, "and we've been conducting brown bag seminars on these topics for years. Ah, if only it were that easy.

Dr. Fearing ("America's Crisis Doctor") compellingly suggests that companies need to take more immediate ownership and action in this area. "They need to become better informed about employee problems, intervention strategies, and the treatment and recovery process."

That is basically what his book is all about: "preparing companies to recognize the problem of addiction, learn effective intervention techniques, and help addicted employees reclaim their lives and livelihoods."

In clear and consise language, Fearing teaches the reader to recognize various forms of addiction and related illnesses. He then describes, in great detail, the intervention process and helps dispel many of its myths and mysteries. I especially liked his unique "carefrontation" approach, designed to educate and empower the employee's significant others, allowing them to adopt an informed, firm, and fair stance in the face of extreme adversity and resistance.

"Workplace Intervention" also discusses the treatment and recovery process in a way that will help concerned persons make intelligent choices all along the continuum of care.

I also found the discussion of legal issues, additional mental health concerns, and preventing workplace violence especially informative. And I have yet to come across a more extensive resource guide consisting of groups, agencies, organizations, and associations that can be contacted for further assistance with these matters.

Bottom line: If you are a business executive, director or manager, I strongly recommend that you read this book. And please do it soon, before yet another one of your troubled employees bottoms out.