Reviews (9)

This was a life saver
This book helped me see who I am.The way I think, is clearly in this book.I can't remember part of my childhood and I thought I was abnormal. Reading this book, I have come to find outthat I am quite normal for a child of an alcoholic.If you are a adult child of an alcoholic, I urge you to read this book and see if it helps you too.

A very good start
The ideal book if you are beginning your journey of recovery due to alcoholics. It give many answers to initial questions. It does not give any lasting answers to the great mysteries of life but that is not its purpose anyway.So...a good start

shocked
About ten years ago I was in a book-store in Cambridge, Ma. and happened to browse through that book. Just reading a few questions and answers wasone of the greatest shocks in my life. Reading the truth when you alwaysthought that you are so strange, noone else can image, is not easy. I washardly able to go to the cashier and pay for the book. This was the firstday of a new life for me.Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult children of alcoholics    2. Alcoholics    3. Alcoholism    4. Family relationships    5. General    6. Miscellanea    7. Recovery    8. Self-Help    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    10. Treatment    11. United States    12. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (12)

A Must-Have for Every Partner of a Survivor
This book has everything you need to know, and it's told in a style that feels like you're sitting in your living room with a good buddy who just happens to have gone through the same thing. This is an OUTSTANDING RESOURCE! Every partner of a survivor needs this book. I think it's far superior to Allies in Healing.
Good book about this topic.
This is a pretty good book, well written and easy to understand.Basically it's support guide for men who are in a relationship with a partner who is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.
What About Me by Grant Cameron
I have worked with Survivors of sexual abuse and their families, in a professional capacity, for over 12 years and I have found this book to be a valuable resource for partners.Oftentimes, men have commented to me that they "could have written the book themselves" and they often feel empowered after they read it because they get the sense they are not alone with their experiences and feelings.The book also helps the partner to gain a better understanding of what his partner is going through and to heal rifts in their relationships.I strongly reccommend this book to other professionals who work in this field and to survivors of sexual abuse and their partners. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Abuse - Sexual    3. Body, Mind & Spirit / Mental & Spiritual Healing    4. Family/Marriage    5. Self-Help    6. Self-Help / Recovery    7. Child abuse    8. Coping with personal problems   

Reviews (2)

Quick 101 education
This book has the basis information a person needs to quit their addiction.Is the same basic principles that rehabilitation programs used.Except that in the rehab you have a team a people that help you and the AA/NA meetings are all day.

Turning away from alcohol and/or drugs
The workbook allows one to view his/her compulsion to drink and/or use drugs from multiple perspectives, to better realize the consequences and to make a reasoned choice about whether or not to embrace sobriety. It then gently guides one into early recovery, giving tips and support for making important changes in life so as not to return to alcohol and/or drugs. Fanning writes in short, clear sentences so that the book is very easy to understand, and shows great compassion for those who are burdened by the terrible compulsion that is addiction.
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Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholism    3. Drug addicts    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Recovery    6. Rehabilitation    7. Self-Help    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    10. Treatment    11. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse   

Reviews (22)

Absolutely Recommended
This book is a great resource for clinicians, survivors, and anyone who knows a survivor.

Still classic and gay affirmative
This book is one of the first books I read which includes examples of gay men sexually abused as children without including homosexuality as the result of sexual abuse. If you are a gay man and are looking for an affirmative book on sexual abuse which does not pathologize your gay identity, look no further. Lew has written it and you have found it!
The best book for Survivors.
My copy of Mike Lew's book is well worn, most pages have sections underlined and notes written down the margins.
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Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Abuse - Sexual    3. Adult Child Sexual Abuse Victims    4. Adult child sexual abuse victi    5. Incest victims    6. Male sexual abuse victims    7. Mental Health    8. Psychology    9. Recovery    10. Self-Help    11. Sexually abused boys    12. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    13. Family & Relationships / Abuse   

Reviews (1)

Substance abuse Counseling: Theory and Practice
The book is well written.It provides the reader with an easy reading experience while still providing the necessary information about substance abuse. I definately recommend it for anyone who is looking to learn more about substance abuse.
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Subjects:  1. Counseling - Crisis Management    2. Counseling of    3. Education    4. Patients    5. Psychopathology - Addiction    6. Recovery    7. Self-Help    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    9. Substance abuse    10. Treatment    11. Counselling    12. Drug addiction & substance abuse    13. Education / Counseling / Crisis Management   

Editorial Review

Martin Torgoff came of age just about the same time as the drug boom, a circumstance that informs his overview of America's "Great Stoned Age." Chronicling the irrepressible onslaught of mind-altering substances from the end of World War II through the close of the century, Torgoff (whose previous publishing efforts have centered around rockers Elvis Presley and John Cougar Mellencamp) intersperses the personal with the historical. Laying the groundwork with his own recollections of indulgence beginning in the late 1960s, the author flashes back to the Beat era, which he asserts opened the door for all that followed. Interviews with the obscure and celebrated add color and detail to the chronicle. Here's Herbert Huncke, the unapologetic hustler and heroin addict who lurked on the periphery of '50s bohemian scene and turned up as a character in William Burroughs' pulp memoir Read more

Reviews (4)

So what is the answer?
If you have been there then you know the answer. The question is: Why did we travel there in the first place. Addictions are sneaky. Sometimes we write about them, other times we fight them. Addicted movie stars are just addicts. Hard drugs have no respect for who we are.

California Al
I wanted to be interested in this book, but it became pretty boring ater a while. There is an undercurrent of romanticism that pervades the authors purpose. He claims to be neutral, yet his descriptions and conversations with many of the people slant towards idol worship. Although the author claims to be in recovery, I did not get the sense of how drugs and alcohol can ruin peoples lives. I felt that his narrative was self serving, and glorifying the wonders of drugs and experimentation. There is a price to pay. What was good was hearing his father's take on the whole down side of watching his son grow up loaded. That was interesting. I'm getting weary of the proselytizing about how epochal the 1960's, 70's and 80's were. I didn't like his picture either.

GREAT BOOK FOR UNIVERSITY COURSES!!!
I'm reading this book a bit at a time.Each part is like a little history lesson - full of specific people, places and things that I've heard a lot of stories about - usually from folks who didn't have a great deal of clarity when they were either living through them OR speaking about them.Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. History    3. History - U.S.    4. History: American    5. Popular Culture - General    6. United States - 20th Century    7. United States - 20th Century (1945 to 2000)    8. American history: postwar, from c 1945 -    9. Crime & criminology    10. Drug addiction & substance abuse    11. Postwar period, 1945 to c 2000    12. Social Science / General    13. USA   

Editorial Review

Psychiatric drugs are prescribed to more than 20 million Americans. This book aims to convince us to stop taking these drugs, and to show us how to do it safely. The authors contend that after 15 minutes with a physician or psychiatrist, Americans are prescribed medications that we may take for years or a lifetime, which can do more harm than good. We're irritable, anxious, emotionally numbed, physically fatigued, and mentally dulled. Yet when we stop taking the drugs, we encounter a whole new set of problems and setbacks.Read more

Reviews (40)

Thank you, Peter Breggin
I'm glad Peter Breggin is telling the truth about the dangerous drugs that are being pushed on more and more of us.The drugs that are supposed to "fix" people are turning them into zombies, and more of our children are drugged each day.
Down from 32 to 5 pills a day
My wife has reduced her medication from 32 pills a day to 5 a day using the gradual reduction approach described in this book.She was withdrawn and unable to interact with the children at all before.Now she is her children's "Mommy" in a much more real sense and can actually experience real joy from time to time (not possible shen emotions are suppressed by the drugs).This author may seem extreme, but if you want to try reducing you medication, get the book and follow the advice whether you agree with the reasons for wholesale criticism of psychiatric meds or not.

life saver!
This is a very good and honest book, helping people overdiagnosed and overmedicated.I am one who read this after being told I would do terrible if not taking psychiatric drugs over 5 years ago and I read this book, changed counselors, and was able to come off psychiatric medication that was making it difficult for me to function.I am doing fine now, dealing with problems in a sensible way, getting along well with others, working, and enjoying life, with no psychiatric treatment, only compassionate counseling that I find is helpful.I recommend it for anyone prescribed psychiatric medication or studying psychology.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Health Care Issues    3. Mood Disorders    4. Psychology    5. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Drug Dependence    6. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    7. Coping with illness    8. Psychiatry    9. Health/Health Care   

Subjects:  1. Handbooks, manuals, etc    2. Planning    3. Practice Management    4. Problems and Exercises    5. Psychology    6. Recovery    7. Self-Help    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    9. Substance abuse    10. Substance-Related Disorders    11. Treatment    12. therapy    13. Addiction & therapy    14. Psychology / Practice Management   

Reviews (8)

Definitely not for sufferers
I got this book without reading the subtitle (Strategies for Family and Friends).I thought it might help me with Binge-Eating problems.It didn't.In fact, I got very bored.It was sickeningly boring and only discussed how to handle things if you weren't really all that involved. written specifically for family and friends
This is a good book designed for the friends and family of eating disorder sufferers.Before I gave this book to my familiy, I read it myself.I liked that the authors suggested therapy/counseling for friends and family, who can sometimes feel helpless watching their loved one suffer with an eating disorder.There was also a lot of focus on parents.That's good for many, but my family is not a problem in my case.When I gave this book to my family, I told them to ignore that chapter since it did not pertain to us.The information provided within the book helped my family understand what I'm going through, and for that I am thankful.I didn't know how to get the words out to explain the eating disorder.This book helped me tell my family of my disorder.

A powerful book with outstanding perspective
The quality and truth of this book shocked me. It talked of experiences in the exact way that I myself would explain them, except with a professional yet warm perspective. I could not put it down from the moment I started it. I would recommend this book to people going through such trauma as well as people looking for inspirational and enlightening reading material. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Eating Disorders - General    2. Eating disorders    3. Family relationships    4. General    5. Patients    6. Psychology    7. Psychopathology - Eating Disorders    8. Self-Help    9. Coping with eating disorders    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Eating Disorders   

Reviews (3)

Great Book for Co-Dependents
I've read all of Pia's books.They are all great, especially the first one (Facing CoDependence) and this one.The first book explains the symptums and the mechanics of how and why.This book drills into details of the key concepts from the first book.It touches the how and why briefly, but focuses on the real life examples of dysfunctional behaviors and contrasting it to functional behaviors.This book really manifests the concepts in the first book into practices and guidelines. Really helpful book!
This book explains how we develop insecurities and feelings of inferiority that makes us develop codependent relationships.The author uses many examples from her own experiences as well as those of many other people to vividly illustrate the connections between our past life experiences, our present insecurities and inferiorities, and how we feel and behave in our present relationships. It is an excellent book that allows us to open our eyes and see inside ourselves! I would recommend it to anyone who feels like their life (not just their relationships) can be happier than what it is now. Another more comprehensive book that allows us to apply these messages to a wider variety of things is "The Ever-Transcending Spirit" by Toru Sato. It is absolutely one of the best in the business! Sato's book makes it so easy to understand our development, our personality, and our relationships. I would highly recommend both of these books!

Good boundary work; quit it with the AA stuff!
Pia Mellody notes in the beginning of THE INTIMACY FACTOR that her deepest reason for writing the book was "to acknowledge the role of spirituality in intimate relationships."This is in itself is a worthy goal; spirituality (general, not within a specfic religious framework) as specifically applied to relationships is not addressed often enough, and it's a frequently forgotten part of too many partnerships.Mellody writes that true sprituality is the realization that God is Love and we can trust in that Love.That love is what restores to us the truth of our own inherent worth, thereby enabling us to have truly intimate relationships with other human beings.Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family/Marriage    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Intimacy    5. Psychology    6. Family & Relationships / Interpersonal Relations    7. Marriage & relationships   

Reviews (3)

This book is life altering if you are ready to recover
I was shocked to see that there were actually negative reviews on this book.
Food is not alcohol
I spent years going to OA meetings, diligently working the program and wondering why I was still a hopeless victim of food cravings. Excellent 12 Step Companion Book
Being in recovery in OA for 6 years and reading the OA and AA 12 & 12's NUMEROUS times, I was looing for something new and fresh to read.This book truly fit the bill.The author really breaks the steps down intomany subcategories and delves into issues deeply.Not a substituute forthe AA or OA 12 & 12 by any means, but a great "study aid" tothe 12 steps. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Compulsive eating    2. Eating Disorders - General    3. Overeaters Anonymous, inc. (U    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Eating Disorders    6. Self-Help    7. Treatment    8. Twelve-Step Programs    9. Diets & dieting    10. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (1)

The tragic story of a rock star's fall from grace
Alice In Chains was one of the premier hard rock alternative bands of the last three decades. But lead singer Layne Staley couldn't handle many of the pressures that were associated with being a huge star on display to the world. He died an early and tragic death of an accidental overdose of heroin and crak in 2002.
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Subjects:  1. Recovery    2. Self-Help    3. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General   

Subjects:  1. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    2. Social Science    3. Social Work    4. Sociology    5. Sociology - General    6. Substance Abuse    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    8. Drug addiction & substance abuse    9. Political Science / Social Services & Welfare    10. Social welfare & social services   

Reviews (7)

If you want to stay in denial, don't read this book.
This is a straight-forward, no BS, book about addiction and you don't have to be a doctor to understand it.What it covers includes:addiction & the addictive personality defined, in detail; how folks tend to become addicted; things they tend to try to do about it that don't work; thoughts/beliefs etc to watch out for that undermine recovery (and realistic ways to deal with them); things that DO work to help a person out of addictive thinking/behavior; and what the person in recovery can look forward to as a result of their efforts.It's good not only for those addicted but for those dealing with an addicted loved one.
Great book; negative review below misses the mark
I rarely write reviews of books I've read but had to chime in with the previous reviewer to say that this is a TERRIFIC book for anyone who finds himself/herself ashamed or frustrated by the inability to stop an addiction. It's more than I've gotten from 12-step meetings because it delves into the creation of an addiction from a neuropsychological point of view.That has really helped me recognize what's going on in my head, so I can appreciate the fact that from a physiological point of view, I REALLY AM ADDICTED to some things, and need the group process to fight the battle.

A deeper perspective on addiction
I disagree with the last reviewer.This book offers an unusual, and highly useful, perspective on the causes and treatments of addiction.Typically, the goal of most self-help books on the subject is abstinence from use.The present book considers abstinence only the first step in the life-long process of addiction recovery.The book focusses on addictive behaviors and personality traits, how they originate, why they lead to addiction. It gave me terrific insight into why I can quit smoking, but tend to relapse after a few months.Highly recommended to any thinking person interested in understanding and recovering from their addiciton. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Compulsive behavior    2. Psychological aspects    3. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    4. Recovery    5. Self-Help    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    7. Substance abuse    8. Treatment    9. Coping with personal problems    10. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (1)

teaches kids how to tell
I'm really impressed with this book. It's told in the first person by a little girl who is sexually abused by her uncle in terms that a young child can understand. It discusses how she is supported by her family, and how it is seeing a psychologist. It really does a good job of destigmatizing sexual abuse. It also encourages children who have been (or are being) abused to keep telling trusted adults about it until someone helps them. In the back it also provides a fairly long list of people who it is okay to tell. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sexually abused children    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Social Issues - Sexual Abuse    4. Child abuse    5. Self-Help / Substance Abuse    6. Sexual abuse    7. Children: Grades 3-4    8. Child molesting    9. United States    10. General    11. Juvenile Nonfiction    12. Juvenile literature   

Reviews (6)

An all-purpose book.
I purchased this book after the sudden death of a friend.I was at a complete loss as to how to deal with it, and had never experienced this type of loss before.I was shaken. Best book ever on grieving over anything!
This book has helped me so much during a very rough time in my life where I've split from my husband, lost my house that I dearly loved, and moved to a place that I hate.It helps you understand what you're going through, and it gives you things to do that can help.An amazingly good book!

A guide to help you through lifes ruff spots
This book was an excellent guide for me when my husband came out of the closet.I felt like I was lost, floating in space.I was so scared to face what was happening to me.This book gave me the courage to face myworst fears and continue on.This book helped me at the worst time of mylife by giving me a map to follow to get through.Thank you Alla writtingsuch a read able book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bereavement    2. Death, Grief, Bereavement    3. Grief    4. Inspirational    5. Inspirational - Protestant Self Help    6. Psychological aspects    7. Self-Help    8. Coping with death & bereavement    9. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (1)

Good Book Anger Mgmt
Good for anyone who needs to understand and learn more about anger management. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anger    2. Case studies    3. Emotions    4. General    5. Psychology    6. Recovery    7. Self-Help    8. Stress Management    9. Physiological & neuro-psychology    10. Self-Help & Practical Interests    11. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (12)

Excellent resource
For anyone who is a student of the Course in Miracles, or if you just happen to believe that the basic principles of CIM are worth integrating into your lifestyle, this book is a great resource. The concepts are brief but clear. My husband and I have worn out our first copy, and we keep extra copies around to give as gifts.

Daily Meditations for Practing the Course
Again, I have read this and still do. My daughter read parts of mine and liked it ,so I bought it for her.

Daily Meditations for Practicing The Course
This book is a reference that I always go back to. When I feel myself getting particularly stressed in my job or my home life, I remember the lessons I've learned from the Course in Miracles and I will pick this book up and open to a page, read the lesson and apply it to the current situation or issue in my life. It reminds me to be grateful and keeps me on track. It is not your conventional way of thinking, but it makes so much sense if you open yourself to the principles and meditations it offers. I have it on my desk for easy access on a daily basis. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Inspirational    2. Inspirational - General    3. Meditation    4. Meditations    5. Self-Help    6. Spiritual life    7. Spirituality - Course in Miracles    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (4)

Excellent Introduction to Psychology of Mind and addiction treatment
Joseph Bailey did a wonderful service by writing this book which clearly and efficiently discusses how to apply POM to the understanding and treatment of addiction. Highly recommended to professionals and the self-help audience.--Fred P. Gallo, Ph.D., Author of Energy Tapping and Energy Psychology

Practical Book
This is a practical spiritual book no unlike 12 steps it works. I would also encourage people to read An Encounter With A Prophet for a powerful spiritual book that get's you closer to your higher power.

Finally, a concept that really works.
Bailey has presented easy to grasp ideas that really work for the person in recovery. I have used it on both a personal and professional level and would encourage others to do the same. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. General    3. Mental Health And Hygiene    4. Peace of mind    5. Recovery    6. Rehabilitation    7. Self-Help    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    9. Complementary Medicine    10. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    11. Popular psychology    12. Self-Help & Practical Interests    13. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Drug addicts    3. Family    4. Family Relationships    5. Rehabilitation    6. Self-Help    7. Substance Abuse    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    9. Drug addiction & substance abuse    10. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    11. Popular psychology    12. Self-Help / Substance Abuse