Reviews (5)

Great for morning meditation
Several years ago, I began the practice of reading and reflecting every morning, using "day" books.This is one of the best books I have used.The New Testament of the Bible is one of the two greatest books on recovery ever written (the Big Book is the other), so the Bible verse and related reflection by the author are a perfect combination, and it works well with the "24 Hour Book" and "Daily Reflections", and probably any other daily reflection book you care to use.Pick it up!

A must have for spiritual guidance
This is an excellent book for daily reading. It's spiritually uplifting and an encouragement for addiction recovery. It gives moral lessons and does it without a preaching attitude. It's written from the heart and I recommend it for any one that is seeking a more spiritual life.

Inspiring! Strengthens and encourages.
This inspiring daily devotional strenthens and encourages the reader.The author provides practical insights into scripture and makes the Bible comealive for living in today's world.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Devotional    4. Devotional calendars    5. Devotionals    6. English    7. Prayer-books and devotions    8. Religion    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    10. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works    11. Self-Help / Twelve-Step Programs   

Subjects:  1. Clinical Psychology    2. Community Mental Health    3. Community Organization Of Social Welfare    4. Mental Illness    5. Psychology    6. Therapeutic communities    7. Alcoholism    8. Drug addiction & substance abuse    9. Psychology & Psychiatry / Clinical Psychology    10. Rehabilitation   

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholism    3. Behavior therapy    4. Counseling of    5. Drug And Alcohol Abuse Treatment    6. Psychology    7. Psychopathology - Addiction    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    9. Treatment    10. Addiction & therapy    11. Drug addiction & substance abuse    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Addictions   

Reviews (3)

I even like the cartoons
I am studying in Hawaii and you need to learn this global criterior and I hope this book helps me. If anybody out there has been to the school for this or has their certificate from here and has any other suggestions please e-mail me with them.thanxsandimckinlay@onebox.com

A time-tested classic
Working in the field of alcohol abuse and prevetion for over ten years, I consider this a valuable reference in my library.Kinney and Leaton explain concepts in easy to understand terms while not skimping onnecessary details.There are often comic drawings in the margins whichhumorously go to the heart of the topic; instead of belittling the topics,these drawings serve to bring the topics to life.Currently working as atrainer, I find myself often going back to this book for reminders andclarifications.

Comprehensive text
Loosening the Grip is comprehensive in its coverage of a broad range of aspects of alcohol use as well as alcoholism. It reviews historical perspectives, etiology of disease, medical aspects and special populations,and in its 6th edition, has remained abreast of scientific and culturalchanges in the field of alcoholism treatment. It has a reader friendlyappearance, using cartoons metaphorically to emphasize points. Very usefulall-around info on the subject. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcohol Abuse    2. Alcoholism    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Language    5. Psychopathology - Addiction    6. Self-Help    7. Social Science    8. Sociology - General    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    10. Treatment    11. United States    12. Drug addiction & substance abuse    13. Psychiatry   

Reviews (5)

A refreshing new history source for all 12 Step people
I was contacted by Hazelden and asked to review and, if possible, endorse this book. Flattered, I nonetheless wondered why they would select an A.A. historian for a book devoted primarily to the woman who founded Al-Anon. However, I reviewed the A.A. portion carefully and thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. It is well written. But I never expected to use it as often as I have in my recent A.A. history titles. We are now blessed to have some 12 biographies of Bill Wilson--some good, some not so good, and some just the usual fluff. But there is so much to learn and report still about Bill's conversion experiences, about his childhood connection with the Congregational Church, and about other elements of particular interest to those of us who are Christians and are seeking to unearth the real elements of the early A.A. Christian fellowship and story. Consequently when I undertook my three most recent AA history titles - A New Way Out, A New Way In, and The Conversion of Bill W. -- I found myself constantly turning to the details this fine author had laid out in the course of telling the story of the wife of A.A.'s founder. I found it to be truthful, carefully researched, and well-written; and I now know I shall be using it frequently as an historical reference resource concerning early A.A. It is not a book that blasts Bill, nor is it a book that fails to convey the difficulties Lois faced. It is a book which helps to show us the real Bill Wilson in relation to the A.A. program of recovery.

From a Grateful Friend of Lois
The story of Bill Wilson is an amazing one.And it's one that so many are familiar with.But many within Alanon are not as familiar with our co-founder, Lois Wilson.Mr. Borchert has written an intimate story of this courageous and loving woman.I highly recommend this book to anyone in either AA or Alanon who is interested in the origins of these amazing programs of recovery!
Awesome
I identified, I re-felt the pain, I laughed, I cried and felt overwheling gratitude for the lives of Lois and Bill as the writer took me through the unfolding of their lives as the wonderful gift of AA and then Al-Anon emerged. What a gift! Suburbly written.
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Subjects:  1. 1894-1988    2. Al-Anon Family Group Headquart    3. Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc    4. Alcohol And Health    5. Alcoholics    6. Alcoholics Anonymous    7. Alcoholics' spouses    8. Biography    9. Biography & Autobiography    10. Biography / Autobiography    11. Biography/Autobiography    12. Family relationships    13. General    14. Lois,    15. Recovery    16. Specific Groups - General    17. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    18. United States    19. W., Bill    20. Women    21. Self-Help / Alcoholism   

Reviews (2)

This book's program should be in all alochol abuse programs.
If you have a problem with alcohol and has been unsuccessful with conventional programs or know someone who has. DON'T GIVE UP BEFORE YOUR READ THIS BOOK. IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE OR THE LIFE OF A LOVE ONE.Thisprogram can help millions who suffer from alcoholism. It explains why somany alcoholics are unsuccessful at abstaining from alcohol. Itcontradicts the general perception of alcohol abuse and that alcoholicscan't be helped until they want to. It proves (if you will) that alcoholismis indeed a disease and not only mental but mostly physical. I foundanswers and reasons for why alcoholics behave the way they do and how it isgenetic and hereditary. This book is based on scientific and medicalresearch and the findings are absolutely amazing.It also shows that likeany other physical disease or illness, if after diagnosing the problem,there is not a physical treatment to prepare the damage, recovery is almostimpossible.The program described is extraordinary to say the least.Frankly it disturbed me that our government has had this evidence for over40 years that this program can triple the success rate of recoveringalcoholics as well as make it easier and less painful for persons trying toget help.Reading this book could probably greatly increase the amount ofpeople who seek help.

Great book - helps explain the chemistry of alcohol cravings
I found this book facinating! It not only explains why some people cravealcohol but it also gives a roadmap out of the horrible maze of addiction. It is facinating and gives real help to those people that haven't foundtheir solution to their problem. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcohol    2. Alcoholism    3. Complications    4. Diet therapy    5. Neurology - General    6. Physiological effect    7. Recovery    8. Self-Help    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    10. Self-Help / General   

Subjects:  1. Adult Children Of Narcotic Addicts    2. Clinical Psychology    3. Criminal Law - General    4. Criminology    5. Drug Abuse    6. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    7. Popular Culture - Counter Culture    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Sociology - General    11. Alcoholism    12. Crime & criminology    13. Drug addiction & substance abuse    14. Law / Jurisprudence   

Reviews (3)

Little new here
Most likely anyone who's been around the rooms on a regular basis for more than a few months has heard most of what is in here...And that which they haven't heard is otherwise predictable. Unfortunately, most "recovery humor" is best suited to the feeble and middle brow humor of 60's and 70's Readers Digest, and this book is no exception. It's just plain corny and it's really not very funny. Addiction and recovery can be so dark and edgy; it would be nice to see some of that reflected in the literature and humor.

Dont take yourself so seriously.
A lot of funny items within the book.It is a really great way of carrying the AA message.

Funny and touching
I just read this book and find it not only funny but thought provoking. It made me think of some of the things that were going through my head early in my recovery. As a recovering addict/alcoholic I find it refreshing that someone besides myself can find humor in some of the past (and sometimes present) behaviors. I would highly recommend this book to other people in recovery. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholics Anonymous    3. Alcoholism    4. American - General    5. Caricatures and cartoons    6. Humor    7. Meditation    8. Psychological aspects    9. Self-Help    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    11. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Drug Dependence    12. Alcoholics Anonymous--Humor    13. Alcoholics--Caricatures and cartoon    14. Alcoholics--Humor    15. Alcoholism--Psychological aspects--Humor    16. American wit and humor, Pictorial    17. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Subjects:  1. Alcoholism    2. Alcoholism (Psychiatric Aspects)    3. Drug And Alcohol Abuse Treatment    4. General    5. Prevention    6. Prevention and control    7. Self-Help    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    9. Drug addiction & substance abuse    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    11. Psychology-General    12. Self-Help / Alcoholism   

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholics Anonymous    3. Alcoholism    4. Neurology - General    5. Rehabilitation    6. Self-Help    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    8. Treatment    9. Twelve-step programs    10. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    11. Drug addiction & substance abuse    12. Self-Help & Practical Interests    13. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (7)

Get Ready to Grow
This isn't a book for the timid.It's for those who want to go deep, to grow, to expand.It's a challenging journey into the last frontier -- our own selves, our wounds, our fears and shed light in the old darkness in order to come out the other side and discover how unique and lovable we really are. Great workbook.Get ready to feel uncomfortable, but it's worth the effort. It's not something you're going to hurry through.It's an on-going process

THE Way Out
This is a clearly written step-by-step guide for healing. The 12-steps programs have clearly demonstrated over the past several decades, a superior track record of helping individuals overcome their problems whether it be alcoholism, overeating, codependency etc.
Depends on how you use it but it worked for me.
Overall this book was great for prompting a writing workshop for myself & 6 recovering adults whose 12-step involvement varied (ie. ACoA, AA, CodA, & combo).We began using it for a weekly 2 hour Sunday AM writing workshop meeting.Read more

Subjects:  1. Recovery    2. Self-Help    3. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    4. Twelve-Step Programs   

Reviews (2)

A Must Read for Codependents
I borrowed this book from my therapist's library, as I'd arrive early each week to read a chapter at a time. I'm buying a copy for myself so I can write all over the margins! This book is a MUST for anyone close to a codependent as well as the codependent people themselves. It will feel like the author is reading your mind, was a fly on the wall as you grew up & has been following you all your life & knows your struggles by heart. Being truly understood by someone is a joy, but understanding oneself is the 1st step on the journey toward emotional & physical health, self-worth & self-respect, getting one's life & personal power back. Excellent overview of alcoholic families and the dysfunction
This book was so relieving.To find reasons for ways my family functioned as a child and functions today as an adult.Sharon writes in a very objective way which is easy to understand and relate to.She has such vast experience, both personal and professional, in the field of family alcoholism which she shares in a well thought out and organized way.I could not wait to finish this book and move on to another one of her books, "Another Chance", which I am currently reading and becoming even more educated on my own co-dependent issues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult children of alcoholics    2. Alcoholics    3. Alcoholism    4. Codependency    5. Family relationships    6. Health - General    7. Recovery    8. Self-Help    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    10. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    11. Popular psychology    12. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (1)

Helped me become complete and whole again.
I dont think any other author covers recovery and the approach the same way. Im left with not only a new better self, but a better understanding of how to improve other aspects of my health. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative Therapies    2. Dietary supplements    3. Functional foods    4. Health & Fitness    5. Health & Fitness / Alternative Therapies    6. Health & Fitness / Holism    7. Holism    8. Self-Help    9. Self-Help / Alcoholism    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    11. Vitamins   

Subjects:  1. Alcohol use    2. Alcoholism    3. Case studies    4. Drug addiction    5. Personal Growth - Success    6. Self-Help    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    8. Youth    9. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (63)

Drug War: The History and Politics of Failure
Author Mike Gray tackles the failed drug war in this book and effectively shows how the present war has many similarities to alcohol prohibition in early part of the twentieth century. Gray begins his discussion of the subject of drugs by taking the reader back to 1925, in the city of Chicago, during the height of the nightmare of prohibition. Gangs ruled the streets. The air was filled with the smell of cheap booze and the sound of gunfire. Police were defenseless to the total chaos going on all around them. They simply could not stop the manufacture and consumption of alcohol. There was too much money to be made by selling this "forbidden fruit". There was no possible way that this "war" on alcohol could ever be won.
An Excellent Comprehensive History -Not to Mention Futility of-The War On Drugs
This is the 1 book I've come across so far that gives a good, linear history of America's War on Drugs.It begins by comparing mid-90s Chicago with the Windy City of 1925; and all the attendent corruption, violence and hypocricy that comes along with prohibition.It then proceeds to pre-1914 (the year of the Harrison Tax Act) America, and discusses drug uses, patterns of abuse and addiction rates and profiles of the era of legalized drug use, and 1 prohibitionist's lament that "This Constitution thing keeps getting in the way."The thrust of the chapter is that drug abuse and addiction were rare and rarely harmful prior to their being made illegal.
History speaks for itself........we lost this war
Great Book
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Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Drug Abuse    3. Drug Crimes    4. Drug control    5. Drug traffic    6. History    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. United States    11. Alcoholism    12. Current Events / General    13. Drug addiction & substance abuse   

Reviews (2)

Stage 11 Recovery: Love Beyond Addiction
This isn't just a book for people who have been addicted. I read it and I found it invaluable because I wanted a simple book on communication that gets to the point. It's humorous and makes me think what a better world it would be if we just applied these skills to our everyday lives. I think all couples should read this book before they get married or decide to live together. I learned that human kindness coupled with honesty is a very powerful thing.

Don't even think about not ordering this book!
Out of all of the books I have read on relationships, this book, although small, packs a big wollup!The title is a bit misleading, in that it doesn't just apply to the love addict.This book is great for the new couple and the couple who has been together for years... or even a single person looking to get into a healthy relationship.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholism    3. Family relationships    4. General    5. Interpersonal Relations    6. Psychological aspects    7. Psychology    8. Recovery    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    10. Family & Relationships / General    11. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Reviews (6)

The Harm Reduction Model
This book explores the harm reduction model.It provides a variety of techniques to decrease addictive behaviors, many of them new and all of them coherent, logical, understandable, and practical.For people who struggle with addiction--expecially those who have explored 12-step programs and not found them useful--this book is a must read.I highly recommend it as an excellent source of strategy and treatment planning.

There's more than one way to knock a monkey off your back...
One of the best things about this workbook is that it lets you decide what degree of change is best for your recovery. Choosing between total abstinence or moderation may not seem like a wise approach if your addictions have your will power out-gunned. But Horvath models his strategies on the idea of harm reduction -- i.e., some improvement is better than none, particularly since taming a major negative fixation usually takes changing many smaller unhealthy behaviors too. He defines addiction as an extreme form of habit, and makes a logical case for conquering it by increasing self-awareness, resolving conflict, substituting positive behaviors, finding support, avoiding temptation, and being persistent. Much of the guidance you'll get in this book will come from you. The work you'll need to do is customized by your responses to questions designed to help you understand how addiction issues affect your life. Projects at the end of each chapter encourage you to try out the ideas you've just read, and the space allotted for your own notes makes this a valuable personal journal of your progress. This is a process you can return to as often as you need to. Additional resources, including a detailed bibliography and a list of support groups, offer an innovative network of help and info. Horvath acknowledges that 12-step programs work for a lot of people. But he doesn't believe they are the ONLY way to overcome addictions. For those who might prefer a more flexible alternative, this one offers an effective, creative range of options.

A Must For Your Professional Library
Practicing clinicians know that while the 12-step treatment programs have been very successful over many years, there are significant numbers of pstients/clients for whom these approaches have been unsuccessful. The author, Thomas Horvath, a highly experienced and nationally recognized addictions specialist, has provided in this second edition of his work, an alternative approach to treating addictive behaviors. His observations are not limited to the four addictions listed in the title. He mentions at the start of his work 111 addictive behaviors. Are there more? Most likely. He feels that the common denominator of most, if not all of addictive behaviors are two points:addiction is an extreme version of a habit,and, overcoming an addiction uses the same processes one uses to change other habits. From this base, Dr. Horvath presents both research and rich clinical experience supporting his position. The final product is an excellent workbook for the addicted person and a wonderful reference for the professional who would undertake treatment with an addicted person, regardless of the addiction.Read more

Subjects:  1. Psychopathology - Addiction    2. Self-Help    3. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    4. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    5. Illness & addiction: social aspects   

Reviews (6)

Review by Irene Watson, author of "The Sitting Swing."
Yes, there is hope and understanding.Wegscheider-Cruse gives a very detailed account of how we play out our birth roles and act them out in dysfuctional situations. Reading this book gave me the best insight of why I displayed certain behaviors. It also gave me an understanding of the roles other people play.Down right insightful!A must read.

A Classic Text On The Effect Of Alcohol On Families
I first read this book in 1991 for a substance abuse counseling class.It does a great job of looking at alcoholism from a family systems perspective.The text even discusses issues such as codependent/enabling counselors within the profession. Healing the Trauma to our Soul
This book shares how alcoholism is a disease that penetrates the whole person and the whole family. Sharon Wegscheider-Cruse goes through the different roles that people act out in an alcholic family and how eachbreaks down unity and supports the addictive behavior of the alcoholic.Then, she gives practical ways this system can begin to heal and recoversuch trauma to the soul.Samuel Oliver, author of, What the Dying TeachUs: Lessons on Living ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholism    3. Family relationships    4. Psychology    5. Self-Help    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    7. Treatment    8. Coping with personal problems   

Reviews (2)

note from J. Franzen, one of the blurbists above
In the actual text, the word "shocking" was in scare quotes and meant exactly the opposite of what it seems to mean here.

For serious students of the tobacco industry
This is worth a selective read if are a serious student of the cigaretteindustry and how it knew early about nicotine's additive and harmfuleffects.It provides a good insight into the thinking and industry-wideprocesses.Since it quotes extensively from actual corporate memos (thatwere given to the Univ of California by an unknown donor) it can be dryreading at times.The authors have organized the raw material well. Whilethis is an important book, and revealing of a rich and powerful industry,it is more useful as a reference.A more readable book on the tobaccoindustry is Ashes to Ashes by Richard Kluger. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Health Care Issues    3. Industries - General    4. Manufacturing Industries (Economic Aspects)    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Public Policy - General    8. Smoking And Health    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Smoking    10. Alcoholism    11. Drug addiction & substance abuse    12. Freedom of information & freedom of speech    13. Political Science / General    14. Public health & preventive medicine    15. Tobacco industry    16. USA   

Reviews (6)

Not for the layman
Much too complicated for the average person. The overall premise that addiction is not just a "mental" problem but can find its roots in the physical is very believeable. BUT the book is more useful in the hands of professionals, not your average drunk. But if you want to go for it....do.

Free at last
I have struggled with crack cocaine abuse for fifteen years and sought out many different forms of treatment with little or no success.After countless N.A.meetings,5 treatment centers and several private counsellors,I wasunable to find a solution to my overpowering cravings.After reading 7 weeksto sobriety,I inquired about a cocaine formula which to my suprise theyhad.I immediatly ordered and began using the formula,which to my(and myfamilies)amazement,began to work within 48 hours.Since that time I have notexperienced a single craving for cocaine and have completly changed myoutlook and behavior.I always knew there was something missing intraditional treatment and am grateful to Dr.Larson for finding that missinglink.I encourage everyone who is struggling with an addiction to get a copyof 7 weeks to sobriety and follow her recommendations and I am sure youwill find success as I have.

A neccessary resource for all addictions counsellors
I am a family therapist specializing in women's addictions therapy.I am the clinical director of a treatment program that admits over 100 women per year. I have also been the coordinator of substance abuse training for thepast four years. Three years ago I invited all the addictions counsellorsin our system of care to read "seven weeks".For most of us, theinformation changed our approach to early sobriety counselling.Clientswho were previously diagnosed as chronically relapse prone wereexperiencing great success following Dr. Mathews Larson's advice. Accessing the vitamin formulas is difficult in Canada, but higher qualitypharmacies are helpful in producing what clients require on an individualbasis. Clients are deeply appreciative that so much of their problem isin their diets. They can change their diets without years of painfulemotional therapy. It is incredibly empowering.Seven Weeks is a gift tosociety.Of the women who follow the "Seven Weeks" plan, morethan 90% report dramatically lower incidence of depression.Thecombination of psychotherapy and sound bio-chemical management is aguarantee for success. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcohol    2. Alcoholism    3. Complications    4. Diet / Health / Fitness    5. Diet therapy    6. General    7. Neurology - General    8. Physiological effect    9. Self-Help    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    11. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    12. Health & Fitness / General