Reviews (1)

Todd Crandell is a true inspiration & roll model since his recovery
Racing for Recovery: From Addict to Ironman is an inspirational story. How it conveys that if a dream exists, even the darkest depths of addiction can be overcome once you decide to and make the effort to get help. The way Todd Crandell brought himself from these depths and has dedicated his life to the pursuit of preventing drug and alcohol in children and showing those currently battling addiction that, through a lifestyle of fitness and exercise, proves that you can recover and dreams can come true. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. General    3. Personal Memoirs    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Sports - General    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Drug Dependence    8. Sports & Recreation / General   

Reviews (30)

It Works
I've smoked for over 30 years and didn't particularly want to stop, but knew it would be a good idea.I read the 1st half of the book and listened to the cd. no withdrawal, no cravings, no kidding.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't
My husband bought this book/CD combo five years ago after my repeated pleas that he stop smoking. I had and still have him down to three cigarettes a day, but he just couldn't seem to kick the habit entirely. He tried Ms. Hepburn's system, he said it lessened his desire to smoke, but it was still there and ultimately he couldn't shake the habit. I have loaned this book to friends and family who have had success with it. Thus, from my firsthand knowledge, it has had mixed results.
Solid Information, Shaky Approach
I give this book 4 stars for its informational value, but no stars for its effectiveness. The book has a great cover, and that's why I bought it - the promise of any easy break from cigarettes. Well, I enjoyed the reading, but after listening to the CD ("hypnosis session"), I felt like it was a big rip off - like some dummy were saying "when I snap my fingers, you'll be non-smoker". Apparently some people reviewing the book found it effective, but not me - I wish my mind were so easily molded. Of all the reading I've done, I'd suggest the EasyWay method. For a hands on approach, I highly recommend MC2Method.com/QuitSmoking as well. And always keep in mind that if you're currently a smoker, quitting is probably the single most important thing you can do in your life right now. Make it top priority. Once the motivation and commitment to quit is there, that's when you'll successfully do so. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Books On Tape    2. Psychology    3. Self-Help    4. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    5. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Smoking    6. Giving up smoking   

Reviews (58)

I quit, I'm happier
I hear all the AA stuff.My wife is into even though I think she is looking for the "folk wisdom".But hey, wisdom is wisdom.So AA is on to something.I tend to see Jacks view of AA more strongly about AA in the larger social context.And I hated the AA program.
Trash the competion
Good book. Helpful ideas on substance abuse & how to end it,however too much energy put into trashing AA & other treatment options that could help people

Helpful
I found this to be the type of book that I could skim, mark up some, and then go back to the parts that were helpful to me. I decided to write this review because it worked for me. Wow, did it ever work! Easily! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholism    3. Drug addicts    4. General    5. Rational emotive behavior ther    6. Rational emotive behavior therapy    7. Recovery    8. Rehabilitation    9. Self-Help    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    11. Drug addiction & substance abuse    12. Literary Criticism & Collections / General   

Reviews (3)

Freedom
I am totally pleased with how Amazon.com runs it's business.I love ordering books and DVDs and CDs.I have never liked ordering things online, but Amazon.com has changed that for me.
SAA of Tulsa
A primary text for our Fellowship of SAA in Tulsa.Most members have personal copies also.Truly an extremely valuable tool for avoiding the "bubble" of addiction and staying focused on soberity.

Positive Reinforcement, Daily
I find the positive message delivered by this book to be a tremendous help in my recovery from thisdebilitating disease. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Prayer    2. Psychology    3. Recovery    4. Self-Help    5. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    6. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (2)

An amazing book
I had the privilege to attend the weekend workshop on which this book is based about six years ago. It was a life-changing experience for me in my recovery from food addiction. This book is almost a word-for-word replica of that workshop (and was approved by the leaders of the workshop). For anyone struggling to understand the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, read this book immediately. It is true to the heart and soul of the "big Book" and completely modernizes the information so that it's easy to understand in today's world.
A Program For You
A very readable, thorough, and helpful overview of the AA Big Book. This is actually a textual version of the well known weekend long Big Book Study seminars given by two gentlemen who shall remain anonymous as in the book.I found this to be a great way to delve into the Big Book again and look atit in a structured fashion. Once you are finished with this book you willhave learned about the history of AA, the history of the Big Book, read theBig Book, and actually studied the Big Book.It also contains generalinformation on the disease of alcoholism. I believe that this is arefreshing look at the Big Book and will lead you on the path that theoriginal AA members intended for you to follow. Most AA members at sometime feel that they have received most of the information that the Big Bookhas to offer, this book will give you a new plan to study the Big Book andwill renew your interest in the wonderful program of AA. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholics Anonymous    3. Recovery    4. Rehabilitation    5. Self-Help    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    8. Twelve-step programs    9. W., Bill    10. W., Bill.    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Popular psychology    13. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (21)

Completely Ridiculous
It's obvious that all these glowing reviews are by a small band of loyal groupies from the Kay Sheppard Yahoo group.
Unhelpful for binge eaters
I have been a food addict for years now, and I was looking for a step-by-step recovery plan to help me.This book is terrible and the suggestions are completely ridiculous.For example, Kay Sheppard says not to use iodized salt because it contains sugar.This is blatantly untrue--check the label of any salt container yourself.Furthermore, her "abstinent" meal plan recipes include potato salad and blueberry muffins--total binge foods for just about anyone!

Yes it works but.....
Just for the record this is not the Food plan of OA.OA has a list of recommended food plans which can be obtained at a meeting.However OA states clearly that there is no "formal plan and as such encourages its memebers to seek professional advice.
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Subjects:  1. Compulsive eating    2. Eating Disorders - General    3. Self-Help    4. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    5. Twelve-step programs    6. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Subjects:  1. Alcoholism    2. Attachment behavior    3. Clinical Psychology    4. Medical / Nursing    5. Neurology - General    6. Psychology    7. Psychotherapy    8. Self-Help    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    10. Substance abuse    11. Treatment    12. Addiction & therapy    13. Illness & addiction: social aspects    14. Psychology & Psychiatry / Psychotherapy    15. Rehabilitation   

Reviews (11)

Great Resource for Overeaters
I really appreciate this book. I loved the caring tone and the way the author seemed to reach out and give the reader a hug! I think that so many of the stories and descriptions spoke to my heart about myself and friends that I found myself calling friends or emailing parts of the books so we could talk ideas! This is a gem! Thank you for writing it, Doreen.

Thank you, Doreen !
without giving too many details as it would be too personal, I consider this book a "gift from above"... : it helps people understand WHY they eat too much, and how to get your eating pattern back in control to lead a successful weight loss. Doreen gives plenty of tips, such as affirmations.There is no pretention in her book and it helps people who have been struggling with emotional overeating and who have been victims of abuse,whether the "facts" happened during their childhood or later in life. It's a powerful self-therapy book, highly recommended !

Excellent for emotional eaters
I had never made the connection between my emotions and my eating until I started reading this book.After tolerating abuse from my parents and my husband, I had no idea why I seemed so nice and happy on the outside but one little thing could make me lose it and throw a temper tantrum.By doing the exercises in this book, I began to see how I had been keeping my emotions stuffed and as I released them, I also released the weight.Great book.I highly recommend it for emotional eaters. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Compulsive eating    3. Eating Disorders - General    4. Inspiration & Personal Growth    5. New Age    6. Obesity    7. Psychological aspects    8. Psychopathology - Eating Disorders    9. Self-Help    10. Coping with eating disorders   

Reviews (42)

A Decent Read
I thought the book had some interesting information in it. It wasn't the best book by Terrance but it was certainy a tribute to his intellectual curiosity.

A good view of the Terence McKenna phenomenon
This book provides a good overview of reflections of the late Terence McKenna, a celebrated icon of the contemporary psychedelic scene and discussion, comparable perhaps with Timothy Leary in the 1960's.For the curious reader, "Food of the Gods" offers a rich insight into his thought and its appeal. But that appeal turns out to be rather narrow and limited, unfortunately. Like Leary, McKenna commanded considerable attention, reaching a wide audience and achieving some degree of celebrity. But as reflected in the pages of this book, his analysis and views turn out to be surprisingly (I would even say disappointingly) weak, and fatally biased, with no solid substance.
Classic thesis on consciousness & more
Regardless of your views on drug use, this book is a must read for anyone with an open mind. It will challenge fundamental beliefs, and force you to make new ones. This is one of the best books I've ever read. Note, you can skip the middle half (e.g. the history of drug use among various societies) of this book and still come away with the essence of what McKenna is proposing.
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Drug abuse    3. General    4. Hallucinogenic drugs and religious experience    5. Health/Fitness    6. History    7. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    8. Religious aspects    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    10. Cooking / History    11. Modern fiction   

Reviews (24)

Glad I read some of her other stuff first
This book is okay.I think her book "Where to Draw the Line" was much better.Still this is a good workbook format and Dr. Katherine is the boundary master.Not sorry I bought it, but would recommend going to the other book first.

pretty good
boundaries is an issue of considerable difficulty for most folks.knowing when to allow yourself to be pulled in versus isolating.while most of us settle in somewhere in the middle, most folks face boundary problems with someone - a parent, child, spouse, co-worker...this is a fairly short book.it does not discuss ad nausium scholarly, research, or theoretical bases.it discusses numerous topics that can be of immense help as well as some (very) good exercises.this book is an easy read and relatively well written.i think it is worthwhile perusing for the individual experiencing boundary concerns.i think it is definitely worth the used price, possibly new.

Disappointed
No real practical advise.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Human relations    3. Interpersonal Relations    4. Intimacy (Psychology)    5. Psychology    6. Recovery    7. Popular psychology    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (7)

Thorough and compassionate
I really enjoyed this book, I found it thorough and empathic. The reader is lead through the many stages of childhood with compassion and given helpful exercises to overcome issues and obstacles present at each stage. The ability to understand the child is well presented by the author. As with psychotherapy generally it is more helpful to work with a therapist, this book is a great beginner or would work well alongside psychotherapy sessions.

The Inner Child Workbook
I did not find this book to be a helpful resource for my clients who have had difficult or painful childhood experiences.In many cases the exercises in this book require a greater degree of affect tolerance than the client has at her disposal.The consequence for the reader using this strictly as a self-help book,easily could be emotional overwhelm, and reinforcement of poor self-esteem as the reader continues to wonder what is wrong with her; this time because she cannot accomplish the tasks outlined in this workbook.

RELEASE THE ENERGIES THAT HOLD YOU IN LIMBO
There's a difference of talking of what your traumas (no matter how significant)are, and actually releasing the feelings and energies that accompany them.If you're really ready to get your life going and become a whole person, this book will do it.Once you've looked at the inner feelings and dealt with them, you're on your way to whatever you want of yourself.Talk about opening doors.You're worth it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Imagery (Psychology)    2. Inner Child    3. Personal Growth - General    4. Problems, exercises, etc    5. Self-Help    6. Self-actualization (Psychology    7. Self-actualization (Psychology)    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    9. Popular psychology    10. Psychotherapy    11. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (19)

AA Bait
If you are seeking alternatives to Alcoholics Anonymous, this book is useless to you & a waste of your money.It is nothing but 12-step promotion under pseudoscientific guise.The research is sloppy (the average American consumes 156 pounds of sugar per year [p. 222] is only off by 100 pounds or so, the story on p. 259 about the United flight forgets the fact that the guy had a digestive virus, & p. 288 misspells the name of the Northrop Corporation [now Northrop Grumman]).
Excellent overall coverage of the disease
I thought this book provided the reader with an excellent range of coverage and understanding of the disease.Particularly interesting was the genetic link and the proof that there are different chemical reactions in the brain in those predisposed to alcohalism.However, just because there may be a genetic link to the disease, the authors in no way gave any excuses to the victim.Instead, they offered research on a range of options for treatment focusing mainly on the most successful, the 12 step program.This book would be helpful to anyone who suspects they have the disease or knows someone who may have the disease.

Exceptional!
This is a great book.It gives you the science of alcoholism and what is needed to defeat its hold on an individual.There's a lot of not so useful information about alcoholism out there promising quick cures if only you just . . . .but this book is exceptionally good.If I could give it to each family affected by alcoholism I would.It's for the alcoholic and it's for those amongst family and friends that don't understand--I think many in the medical community could use it.Insurance companies should really have a look.Alcoholism is a nasty, exhausting, baffling disease--this book was my first step in understanding and having some modicum of hope that it doesn't need to be that way with the proper help and treatment.
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Subjects:  1. Alcohol And Health    2. Alcoholics    3. Alcoholism    4. Health & Fitness    5. Healthy Living    6. Rehabilitation    7. Self-Help    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    9. Treatment    10. Self-Help / Alcoholism   

Reviews (10)

Has helped 100's
We have been using this book for at least 10 years in dozens of groups.We have used it in home based small groups and also at our church.We don't do the activities, but do discuss all the questions and read it aloud in the group.We will be starting at least two new groups in the fall using this book.We have seen lives change by going through the questions.It is wonderful and I highly recommend it!

12 Step Process
As an AOD counselor, I routinely suggest 12 step process to my clients. For those with a Christian background, the Spiritual Journey Workbook, combined with the Recovery Bible, is a very effective path, and many clients have benefited from this pprocess.

Recovery is For Christians Only
Que Dommage!It seems that this book does not deal with anything spiritual, that is unless you are a Christian!It almost appears that no one who wrote this book read Bill's Big Book.Yes, we all know where the 12 steps originated from the Oxford group, but please understand that the beauty and wisdom of this way of life removed the religiosity, turning the concepts of sin into making ammends.When the first page of this book clearly states that it is for those who believe in Jesus Christ, although I may believe, I know it has become an "Exclusive" program and has nothing to do with my own personal spiritual recovery using the 12 steps.
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Subjects:  1. Christianity - Christian Life - General    2. General    3. Inspirational - General    4. Religious aspects    5. Self-Help    6. Spiritual healing    7. Substance abuse    8. Twelve-step programs   

Editorial Review

Years ago, Suzanne Somers lost the chance to appear on a hit television series because she was "too chunky." That missed opportunity started her on a "diet roller coaster," trying all kinds of diets. Now Somers believes that diets and deprivation do not help people lose weight in the long-term. In Read more

Reviews (282)

Eat Great, Lose Weight (Miniature Edition)
I was very disappointed in this book even though it was a miniature.Some of the pages were blank, having not even been printed.I figure the book was a total loss of money spent.

Eat as much as you want.
Sticking to the diet in the book I lost 35 lbs in five months.I find, interesting the fact that I can eat as much, or even more that I need as long as I keep the named proteins and carbs separate.This is the second copy of the book I have purchased and did so for my son and his family. He needs to lose about 20 pounds. I suggested that he follow the book suggestions very strickly and he should attain his goal.

Eat Great, Lose Weight- It really is THAT simple!
I am about to get married in a year, and as usual, I am looking for any way I can to slim down for that perfect wedding dress.Just a few days ago, I was sluggish, and depressed after going on Jenny Craig and failing at it.I went on Jenny Craig at age 16 and was uncannily successful, almost 10 years later, I decided to try it again, but to no avail. It just didn't fit my life style anymore, and I had a REALLY hard time refraining from cheating, and incorporating resturaunt and "non-menu" meals to fit my plan.
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Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. Diets - Weight Loss    3. Eating Disorders - General    4. Health/Fitness    5. Reducing    6. Reducing diets    7. Self-Help    8. Diets & dieting    9. Health & Fitness / Diets   

Reviews (33)

Scott's review of Combatting Mind Control
I found the book very informative and easy to understand. I was able to relate to what Steve was talking about having been raised in a mind control cult myself. I would recommend the book to those who are working on helping someone escape this subtle nightmare to become alive again. I am persuing the same mission field as Steve and he inspired me to stay with it.

Excellent book on cults and mind control
Anyone interested in this book should go to (...) "Constructing Social Reality".The program is hosted by Phillip Zimbardo, the well know social psychologist from Stanford University and long-time president of the American Psychological Association, and features footage of Steven Hassan talking briefly about his views on cults and mind control.It should give one a good sense of the tone, intelligence and validity of Hassan's writing.

This book helped me
When I learned that L. Ron Hubbard had officially "erased" his 2nd wife, Sara, and began describing her as the Russian communist spy Sara Komkosadamanov, and then I saw the huge stack of abandoned dianetics books at a used book store, I knew something was seriously wrong. Since then I've been reading and reading. Now I've just finished a really nice and concise over-view of whole messy subject: 'Combatting Cult Mind Control' by Steven Hassan. If you're tempted to wander into the world of cults, read this book first. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Body, Mind & Spirit    3. Cults    4. General    5. Hassan, Steven    6. New Age    7. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    8. Occultism    9. Psychology    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    11. Anthropology    12. Contemporary non-Christian cults & sects    13. Coping with personal problems    14. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (14)

Seems More than a Bit Off the Reservation -
Dalrymple believes that reasons (excuses) for taking drugs are self-serving and imply lack of control and lack of blame.Evidence offered include the statement that people exposed to strong opiates in medical circumstances rarely become addicted (why, then, is treatment access so restricted?) - but offers no statistics.
One of the Best Books on the "Treatment" Industry
Finally, a book that university students in my course, Drugs and Society, can read that exposes the myths surrounding addiction and treatment.Beautifully written and compellingly argued, Dr. Dalrymple's newest book is his best yet. The engaging narrative has already captured students' attention and helped them begin to question what they had taken for granted about the value of the treatment industry. While the course supplements Romancing Opiates with additional readings on the "other side," many students have found the arguments expressed in this book to make the most sense.

Dalrymple leaks his interest in alcohol.
Dr. Dalrymple makes an important point about addiction, that it is a moral and spiritual, not a medical, problem.
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Subjects:  1. Drug Addiction (Psychiatric Aspects)    2. History    3. Medicine in literature    4. Opioid-Related Disorders    5. Opium abuse    6. Psychology    7. Psychopathology - Addiction    8. Recovery    9. Self-Help    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    11. Addiction & therapy    12. Drug addiction & substance abuse    13. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (7)

Helpful and Inspiring
If you have ever lived with an addict or alcoholic, this book gives you inspiration and courage to learn how to be independent in your growth as a person.

Gives me much needed hope......
After many many years of suffering with my husband through his addiction and then facing the hard-hitting rock bottom he went through...this book has given me the hope that I need so much.
The best daily reader I've found
This is the best daily reader I've found so far, even among the other Al-Anon books.I struggle with depression, tiredness, and having grown up the child of generations of alcoholics.Sometimes I don't feel that Al-Anon fits what I'm struggling with, and that leaves me feeling lonely - but this book almost always has something that soothes me in a deep way (which I'm despretely seeking when depression tears at me) and helps me feel stronger in that particular moment.Read more

Subjects:  1. Self-Help    2. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism   

Reviews (146)

Not believable
It is impossible that someone as drunk as she claims to have been could have such absolute recall of details.I don't doubt this girl had a drinking problem and that some of this happened, but really, who remembers this level of detail about their teenage years even if sober?Much of this is just a made up story and that bothers me.I also found strange what others have mentioned - the author denying that she is an alcoholic.How strange.She states that alcholism has a genetic component that she lacks, but that is just not true, and made the whole confessional very odd.

Wrong book for the right time
The book made me ask some important questions about alcohol, particularly how it relates to college and how it can be somewhat overwhelming to function as a non-drinker in today's society. Given the cost and injuries of alcohol at a time when everyone is pointing fingers at drugs and tobacco, this book arrived at the right time to make a real impact in my opinion.
Amazing book about an "alcoholic"
I loved this book, and have reread it many times. Her guilt and shame from blackouts and experiences she has to apologize for to others will ring true for many. To lose time and never get it back from drinking too much is something truly dreadful, in every sense of the word. Her writing is fantastic, and she is truly gifted in getting the reader to feel they've experienced what she is going through on these pages. That said, I kept flipping back to the pages where she writes "I am not an alcoholic" in confusion and disbelief. No one is ever supposed to label another person as an alcoholic, but she fits every single criteria for it. She is obviously knows she has a problem, but just does not like that label whatsoever. I hope someday she can admit to herself that she, who is powerless over alcohol, is what she says she's not. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcohol Abuse    2. Alcohol use    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Girls    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Sociology    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    11. United States    12. Women    13. Women In The U.S.    14. Women alcoholics    15. Zailckas, Koren    16. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (1)

Somewhat Helpful!
I am a practicing mental health therapist.I deal with adults and adolescence that have a history of or are currently dealing with self injury.This book offered some good insight into self injury and treatment options/tips when dealing with a person who self injurers.I was somewhat disappointed in the lengthy explanation of all the disorders.However, I am reading this book from a therapist point of view and not a person who is trying to recover.
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Subjects:  1. Mental health    2. Self-Help    3. Self-injurious behavior    4. Self-mutilation    5. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Other Specific    7. Teenage girls    8. Coping with personal problems    9. Popular psychology    10. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Reviews (2)

Lose Weight Without a Diet Using Simple and Practical Advice!
Dr. Wansink is a food psychologist who specializes in the investigation of the mental and emotional factors that cause us to eat.This book demonstrates that we can lose weight, simply by being more mindful of our eating habits.It contains interesting and humorous case studies that highlight those mindless activities that add 200 or 300 calories to our diet each day and which can add up to 20 or 30 excess pounds in the course of a year.
One of the best ever
This is an absolutely terrific book--well-written ,with nice touches of humor and very specific, practical steps to take that absolutely should help you lower your weight without your wanting to slit your wrists. I've sent a dozen e-mails to friends recommending "Mindless Eating." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Exercise/Health    2. Audiobooks    3. Compulsive eating    4. Eating Disorders    5. Food habits    6. Health & Fitness    7. Health/Fitness    8. Nutrition    9. Nutrition And Diet    10. Psychological aspects    11. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    12. Health & Fitness / Nutrition