Reviews (7)

Great book.
I really enjoyed this book a great deal.Don't buy it expecting a detailed treatise on either AA or Buddhism, but an wonderful positive journey that shows how the two approaches each have great value.It is a very honest, brave, and heart-felt book.My experience is that many books in this genre are either too flowery, dogmatic, or impersonal to be meaningful, but not this one, IMHO.

This book may not be too helpful.
The semantics woven throughout Alexander's book will not be helpful for an individual who is lost and suffering, or newly sober and looking for insight.Instead, this is a book of arguments aimed at the community of people who have been in AA for a long time or are well established in the "recovery" community. Not seeing value of anonymity, Alexander sets up straw men and then shoots them down, misrepresenting (or perhaps not understanding) other traditions and steps of twelve-step recovery. Many who turn to this book looking for a way out will be mystified while finding no solace. For those, Alexander's piece may do more harm than good. Cool Water: Alcoholism, Mindfulness, and Ordinary Recovery
A very special book, indeed. I found this book to be one of the best I've ever read on recovery. The author is an eloquent and honest writer, who creates a powerful and poetic guide for simple everyday recovery & living. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Meditation    2. Psychology    3. Psychopathology - Addiction    4. Recovering addicts    5. Recovery    6. Self-Help    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    9. Substance abuse    10. Therapeutic use    11. Treatment    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / Addictions   

Reviews (14)

TO BE READ AGAIN & AGAIN
a great book.each time i read it i gain many new insights.the stories at the end of the book reached me 1st.years later i began a serious "working of the steps".through that serious work i did undergo a "profound personality change" which has served me quite well.if a person can accept the sometimes old-fashioned language there is really a lot here that can be profoundly helpful.AA is not the only answer for the alocoholicbut it has worked for millions so should at least be taken seriously.In my experience many things heard in an AA meeting do not reflect the premises in this book.So a person has to be smart.read the book, listen at meetings(if you go) but think, read & contemplate.After 20 years of sobriety i return to this book over & over.Not only for a deep comfort but for inspiration & guidance.one last thought: i don't take myself or "everything" so seriously, but i do take my sobriety seriously.good luck - it is a life "second to none".

62 Years of Proven Effectiveness
While AA may not be the answer for everyone, it is for many thousands of alcoholics and others.12-Step programs are popular in many places now, based on the Steps to recovery first written in this book.Alcoholics Anonymous has never been on any best seller list, but it has sold over 20 million copies.This is good reason to take seriously what the authors say in this book.I can add my personal testimonial:the 12 Steps have changed my life for the better.Given the choice between potential death or 12 Steps, I will take the Steps!

a way of life that works
this book gave me a working relationship with power grater than myself ,that deepens day bye day. I owe my life to this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholics Anonymous    3. Alcoholism    4. Recovery    5. Rehabilitation    6. Sociology    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    8. Treatment   

Reviews (2)

Cold realities from a warm heart
In a hundred pages Scaef does something truly remarkable.She confronts the self-serving and dangerous side of co-dependency yet maintains a nonjudgmental perspective.Many, many books, of course, discuss the dangers co-dependents present to themselves.This one goes beyond to look at the less comfortable topics of co-dependents' tendency toward manipulation, promotion of disease in others, martyrdom, dishonesty, and pathological self-centeredness.As a professional who grew up in a seriously alcoholic home, I wish that I had read this book years ago to see the pay-off I was getting from organizing my life around the pretense that I was other people's answers.But despite the harsh realities Schaef points out (and simply and compellingly demonstrates), I was left with a sense that I was not being shamed or judged and that I had the freedom to do better.This book takes more character to digest than most books on the subject, and I suspect that its writing took manifestly more character than one assisting people to continue seeing themselves as victims.I recommend it without qualification.

Concise introduction to the problem of co-dependence
Schaef has written many books on the subject of addictive behavior, and I've read most of them.This one puts forth her basic philosophy (which is that dysfunctional, addictive behaviors are part & parcel of ourculture) in a slender volume that's easy to pick up & reread. Especially interesting is her theory that co-dependence is encouraged inour schools and churches.She presents her case with lots of examples, andwith the kind of passion it would be easy for the unconvinced to laugh at,but I personally think she speaks a truth that many people might finduncomfortable to face. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholism    2. Codependency    3. Drug abuse    4. General    5. Human relations    6. Neurology - General    7. Psychological aspects    8. Recovery    9. Self-Help    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    11. Behavioural theory (Behaviourism)    12. Drug addiction & substance abuse    13. Family & relationships    14. Popular psychology    15. Psychology & Psychiatry / General    16. Women's studies   

Reviews (1)

Astonishing enlightenment
Wow! This brings up a lot interesting views and opinions on today's society and our social acceptance of alcoholism. I think it is a great read for all ages, especially young folks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Recovery    3. Self-Help    4. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    5. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    6. Medicine: General Issues    7. Self-Help / Alcoholism   

Reviews (3)

Understanding Me
Having recently celebrated my 1 year anniversary in AA, this book really helped me understand where I am.There just aren't many people with my sobriety time in the fellowships I attend.They seem to have more or less time, so it has been difficult for me to understand why I feel the way I do.Those that came into AA when I did all seem to be gone and anybody with about my sobriety has been there before.I have a great sponsor, a solid Big Book Program, great fellowship and a constantly improving "life", but why do I feel different than I did a few months ago?Not bad, not great, but just good.
If you're in your second your, look forward to relate...
I received this book after my first year of sobriety.It was incredibly useful to understand the transitions that I went through after just focusing on being clean & sober.I highly recommend to anyone who starts becoming more aware of feelings and life circumstances that we had years of not dealing with.

Helped to remind me that I'm not alone
I bought this book after I celebrated my first abstinence Bday and didn't read it for another 6 months.I was so comforted by the stories of recovering folk in their 2nd year of sobriety, all who were experiencing difficulties in recovery that I could relate to.One of the most important things this book helped me to see is that it's okay to struggle.Now that I have 21 months of sobriety, it's not all about how do I take a shower or cook for myself; rather, I'm learning how to be a part of the world.This book was a welcome reminder that the issues I struggle with are akin to those that many 2nd-year recoverers struggle with. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Case studies    3. Recovery    4. Rehabilitation    5. Self-Help    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    7. United States    8. Alcoholism    9. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    10. Counselling    11. Drug addiction & substance abuse    12. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (3)

Patient Workbook
I loved Dr. Perkinson's book, "Chemical Dependency Counseling" and was eager to purchase this workbook for use with my clients in treatment. I found it helpful, but too expensive to require them to purchase it, or for our treatment center to purchase it for the 500 clients a year that we admit. I wish a CD-ROM was included, but I understand proprietary issues. I must say, however that I believe his publications should be mandatory for everyone working in our field.

This book keeps my patients sober.
I have been using these exercises for years and they keep my patients sober. The patients take the book home and go over the material they learned in treatment. This keeps them sober. Most treatment centers use a collection of poor exercies they gathered over the years. Here are all of the great ones in one place. The text covers chemical use history, honesty, steps one through five, and relapse prevention. It's a Great Book!

Finally a great book for gamblers.
We use this book for all of our patients. They love the exercises and take them home and go over them again and again. This keeps them thinking about recovery. The book leaves no stone unturned. It has everything a problem gambler needs to stay in recovery. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Problems, exercises, etc    3. Psychopathology - Addiction    4. Recovering addicts    5. Recovering alcoholics    6. Rehabilitation    7. Self-Help    8. Social Science    9. Sociology    10. Sociology - General    11. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    12. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / Addictions   

Reviews (1)

The most useful text I've found
There's an awful lot of books out there purporting to be written by "the experts" regarding alcoholism and drug addiciton. Very few of them provide any useful insights into how the families of those suffering from Chemical Dependency can find the help they so badly need. In this book Stephanie Brown and her colleagues put their many years of research and experience together in a format that is easily understood and more perhaps more importantly that can be put into practice. She demystifies and gives language to concepts and ideas that can be baffling and overwhelming to families in crisis. The stages of recovery from active use through early recovery and the trauma that involves, moving through to ongoing recovery issues, are explained clearly, highlighting how the family "system" is affected and tools the family can use to navigate each stage.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Family relationships    3. Psychological aspects    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Addiction    6. Recovering alcoholics    7. Rehabilitation    8. Self-Help    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Drug Dependence    11. Temperance    12. Family welfare    13. Popular psychology    14. Safety in the home   

Reviews (3)

Easy to read and fascinating
This book is wonderful. It gives me a new way to understand my clients struggling with abstinence from using substances. I love the case examples.

A More Humane Approach
Those of us who struggle to control our own alcohol or drug use, or who live with someone who is trying to cut down or quit, may greet the harm reduction approach, persuasively presented by Dr. Andrew Tatarsky, as good news indeed. A practicing psychotherapist, Tatarsky is concerned with meeting clients "where they live": In the context of drug and alcohol abuse, this entails exploring the meanings these substances hold for the individual user and grounding the therapy in the process of self-discovery---rather than requiring abstinence from the outset, which is the traditional "one-size-fits-all" approach to counseling. Move over AA, there's a new kid on the block
Andrew Tatarsky and his contributors have brought the honesty, the sympathy, and the efficacy of harm reduction into the treatment of substance users, and it's about time!Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholism    2. Drug abuse    3. Harm reduction    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Addiction    6. Psychotherapy - General    7. Treatment    8. Addiction & therapy    9. Drug addiction & substance abuse    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Addictions   

Reviews (1)

From Experience...
I read this book from cover to cover during one of my frequent retreats to the local sweat lodge. After a few too many cans of Kylon Arcylic (gold is my fav!), my resulting state of mind and body will instruct me to take refuge there.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcohol Abuse    2. Alcohol use    3. Alcoholism    4. Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies    5. Native American Sociology    6. Navajo Indians    7. Psychological aspects    8. Psychopathology - Addiction    9. Public Health    10. Self-Help    11. Social Science    12. Social conditions    13. Sociology    14. Sociology - General    15. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    16. Medical / Public Health    17. Medicine | Public Health    18. North America    19. Social & cultural anthropology    20. Social theory   

Reviews (2)

A New Approach
In contrast to the now popular emphasis on addictive drugs "hijacking" the brain reward centers and producing pleasure, Dr. Khantzian life work has pursued an alternative route in explaining why addictive drugs can become so compelling in an individual's life. His emphasis has mainly and consistently been on the human psychological vulnerabilities involved in addictive suffering. Based on three decades of clinical work with patients, as well as numerous clinical investigative studies, Dr.Khantzian has persuasively instructed us that suffering and problems with selfregulation are at the root of addictive disorders. His work has repeatedly underscored that individuals who become dependent on addictive substances (including alcohol and nicotine) do so not because they seek pleasure or self-destruction (some have considered addictions as "suicide on the installment plan"), but more because they use alcohol and other addictive drugs as an attempt to self-medicate their suffering and to regulate their lives. Although in the long run such attempts cause great disruption in peoples' lives, in the short run individuals have the powerful discovery that each class of drugs have appeal because they relieve a range of painful feelings and help to cope with powerful emotions and behaviors that for them are otherwise overwhelming and unmanageable. Dr.Khantzian has been described as the "father of the self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders," and has also written extensively on "self-care" deficits associated with the addictions, the importance and utility of modified group techniques and self-help groups in recovery and effective treatments. Dr. Khantzian writes persuasively, evocatively, and compassionately about the human vulnerabilities involved in addictive disorders. Dr. Alan Stone, Professor of Law and Psychiatry at Harvard University, has characterized Dr. Khantzian as a "master � clinician exploring the internal world of the addicted person � convincingly demonstrating his self-medication hypothesis," and novelist Dr. Michael Palmer has said that Dr. Khantzian's book, Treating Addiction as a Human Process, is a "highly intelligent volume that can be read with pleasure and awe from beginning to end. It is the cornerstone on which the next generation of knowledge in addiction medicine will be built." Dr. Khantzian has been acknowledged as a pioneering clinician in understanding the psychological and psychiatric pain associated with substance use disorders, and his focus on the self-medicating function of abused substances, and the refinement of his work stressing addict's ego deficits of selfregulation and self-care have become the standard in the field of addiction treatment. A New Approach
In contrast to the now popular emphasis on addictive drugs "hijacking" the brain reward centers and producing pleasure, Dr. Khantzian life work has pursued an alternative route in explaining why addictive drugs can become so compelling in an individual's life. His emphasis has mainly and consistently been on the human psychological vulnerabilities involved in addictive suffering. Based on three decades of clinical work with patients, as well as numerous clinical investigative studies, Dr.Khantzian has persuasively instructed us that suffering and problems with selfregulation are at the root of addictive disorders. His work has repeatedly underscored that individuals who become dependent on addictive substances (including alcohol and nicotine) do so not because they seek pleasure or self-destruction (some have considered addictions as "suicide on the installment plan"), but more because they use alcohol and other addictive drugs as an attempt to self-medicate their suffering and to regulate their lives. Although in the long run such attempts cause great disruption in peoples' lives, in the short run individuals have the powerful discovery that each class of drugs have appeal because they relieve a range of painful feelings and help to cope with powerful emotions and behaviors that for them are otherwise overwhelming and unmanageable. Dr.Khantzian has been described as the "father of the self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders," and has also written extensively on "self-care" deficits associated with the addictions, the importance and utility of modified group techniques and self-help groups in recovery and effective treatments. Dr. Khantzian writes persuasively, evocatively, and compassionately about the human vulnerabilities involved in addictive disorders. Dr. Alan Stone, Professor of Law and Psychiatry at Harvard University, has characterized Dr. Khantzian as a "master ... clinician exploring the internal world of the addicted person ... convincingly demonstrating his self-medication hypothesis," and novelist Dr. Michael Palmer has said that Dr. Khantzian's book, Treating Addiction as a Human Process, is a "highly intelligent volume that can be read with pleasure and awe from beginning to end. It is the cornerstone on which the next generation of knowledge in addiction medicine will be built." Dr. Khantzian has been acknowledged as a pioneering clinician in understanding the psychological and psychiatric pain associated with substance use disorders, and his focus on the self-medicating function of abused substances, and the refinement of his work stressing addict's ego deficits of selfregulation and self-care have become the standard in the field of addiction treatment.Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholism (Psychiatric Aspects)    2. Drug Addiction (Psychiatric Aspects)    3. Drug addicts    4. Etiology    5. Mental health    6. Psychological aspects    7. Psychology    8. Psychopathology - Addiction    9. Substance abuse    10. Addiction & therapy    11. Alcoholism    12. Drug addiction & substance abuse    13. Psychology & Psychiatry / Research    14. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (2)

Honest and thorough
This book is a must read for any parent who has concerns about their child taking drugs.It is incredibly thorough in terms of covering all types of drugs, what to look for in your child's behavior/physical appearance, sharing various kids and parents stories, drug abuse from both the kids and parents perspectives, what to do and how to deal with the abuse, and most importantly, knowing that you aren't alone.A beautifully and honestly written book.

This book is a must for anyone working with teens
I work with teens with drug/alcohol problems and this book is an absolute must. It is an excellent book in that it dispels the myths about teen addiction that are very prevalent in our society. These myths prevent us from dealing with our children, students, and patients in the most effective way. In addition to factual and up-to-date information about addiction's causes and treatment, it includes information from the teens themselves that is not ony profound but touching.While the book is full of essential research, it is also a book I could not put down. The authors artfully provide information in a way that keeps you wanting to turn each page. I know that as a result of this book, I will never again seeaddiction in quite the same way. This book has many practical applications as well as providing a paradigm shift in my thinking. This is a book not only for professionals, but for parents dealing with these issues. I consider it a "must have" book in working with kids. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescent Psychiatry    2. Alcohol And Health    3. Alcohol use    4. Alcoholism    5. Drug use    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    8. Family/Marriage    9. Life Stages - Adolescence - Drugs/Drinking    10. Parenting - General    11. Substance use    12. Teenagers    13. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (3)

Best Overview of Evolution of Federal Policy This Decade
I recommend this book highly. It is a well-written concise description of the transformation over the last decade of government policy/budgets and supporting media from helping citizens to tracking and punishing citizens.In combination with Gary Webb's Dark Alliance, it is an excellant tool tohelp understand how the "War on Drugs" works and how we havesupported a variety of private and political purposes to use it and theenforcement bureaucracies to help ensure that wealth is controlled by asuprisingly small group of people in America. This is elitism at its mostexpensive and just the kind of environment that leads to symptoms like Y2K.When employees, organizations and constituents are out of alignment andfinancial disclosure of government investment not clearly and simplyavailable by place and people, frightening things go on and citizens losetheir ability and will to act. The American people can change this, andbooks like these help us see the world whole and begin a healthy andpositive conversation.

Best Overview of Evolution of Federal Policy This Decade
I recommend this book highly. It is a well-written concise description of the transformation over the last decade of government policy/budgets and supporting media from helping citizens to tracking and punishing citizens.In combination with Gary Webb's Dark Alliance, it is an excellant tool tohelp understand how the "War on Drugs" works and how we havesupported a variety of private and political purposes to use it and theenforcement bureaucracies to help ensure that wealth is controlled by asuprisingly small group of people in America. This is elitism at its mostexpensive and just the kind of environment that leads to symptoms like Y2K.When employees, organizations and constituents are out of alignment andfinancial disclosure of government investment not clearly and simplyavailable by place and people, frightening things go on and citizens losetheir ability and will to act. The American people can change this, andbooks like these help us see the world whole and begin a healthy andpositive conversation.

Best Overview of Evolution of Federal Policy This Decade
I recommend this book highly. It is a well-written concise description of the transformation over the last decade of government policy/budgets and supporting media from helping citizens to tracking and punishing citizens.In combination with Gary Webb's Dark Alliance, it is an excellant tool tohelp understand how the "War on Drugs" works and how we havesupported a variety of private and political purposes use it andenforcement efforts to ensure that wealth is controlled by a suprisinglysmall group of people in America. This is elitism at its most expensive andjust the kind of environment that leads to symptoms like Y2K. Whenemployees, organizations and constituents are out of alignment andfinancial disclosure of government investmen not clearly and simplyavailable by place and people, frightening things go on and citizens losetheir ability and will to act. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Criminology    2. Drug Crimes    3. Drug abuse    4. Drug control    5. Government policy    6. Law    7. Moral and ethical aspects    8. Narcotics, Control of    9. Political Freedom & Security - Civil Rights    10. Public Affairs & Administration    11. Social Policy    12. Social Science    13. Sociology    14. Sociology - General    15. United States    16. Alcoholism    17. Central government policies    18. Drug addiction & substance abuse    19. Ethical issues & debates    20. Political Science / Civil Rights    21. USA   

Reviews (1)

The concept of addiction
This is a darn good book!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Compulsive behavior    2. Hypnotism    3. Lifestyles    4. Mental Disorders    5. Mental Health And Hygiene    6. Psychology    7. Psychopathology - Addiction    8. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    9. Substance abuse    10. Alcoholism    11. Drug addiction & substance abuse    12. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Subjects:  1. Administration    2. Clinical Psychology    3. Psychology    4. Psychopathology - Addiction    5. Public Health    6. Adolescents    7. Alcoholism    8. Medical-Administration    9. Medical-Public Health    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / Clinical Psychology    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (2)

answered so many questions
i learned so many things. each chapter was so helpful.everyone dealing with this situation is addressed. i am sending copies to my parents and also my children.thank you for your expertise, dr. spickard.

Dying for a Drink by Dr. Anderson Spickard, Jr.
As the child of an alcohol dependent father who has since passed, I was able to better understand his sickness.From this book, which I have recommended many times over to providers who treat the alcohol dependent patient, I gained an education in 14 days of reading that would have taken many years otherwise.Thank you Dr. Spickard ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholism    3. Recovery    4. Rehabilitation    5. Self-Help    6. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    7. Treatment    8. Self-Help / Alcoholism   

Subjects:  1. Clinical Psychology    2. Psychology    3. Psychopathology - Addiction    4. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    5. Popular medicine    6. Psychology & Psychiatry / Addictions   

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• Large Print

Reviews (3)

Wonderful book--words can't describe
Speaking as someone from an alcoholic family, this book helps you "detach, with love" as they say in AA.You realize you can live life for yourself and that you deserve to.The courage to change is needed because the old patterns are familiar and comfortable, but they no longer work.The book brings together wisdom from diverse sources, is divided into 365 short sections corresponding to days of the year, and encourages you truthfully, yet warmly, every step of the way. Read this, it's time to stop beating up on yourself!!

Inspirational and helpful!
I've been in recovery for five years, and I use this book to start my day. It's full of helpful recovery reminders that make it a very special source of inspiration for me.My relationship with Jesus Christ, the Bible, andthis little book make my recovery possible.I'd recommend it to anyone whostruggles with issues of codependency.

Overall Excellence
This little book is chocked full of inspiration ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Devotional calendars    3. English    4. Family relationships    5. General    6. Prayer-books and devotions    7. Psychology    8. Self-Help    9. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism   

Reviews (5)

alcoholism & creativity
Never have I seen anything quite like this. This is the definitive book on creativity. & When you don't create, ahhh, the ills that befall us. We fall into an addictive pattern trying desperatedly to recreate that atonement w/God. Failing that, one either drinks, or does whatever to replicate that feeling one more time. Again & again. This book revealed the essence alcoholism. Why certain people drink or create. Simple as that. I've reread this one @ least 2x now.Enjoy your journey.

Inspiring
This is a unique and courageous book, as heartening to the artist as to the addict in each of us. It is a marvelously distilled meditation on creativity's darkness en route to the light. Leonard has deftly woven literary, spiritual, and psychological treatments of the dark night of the soul into a seamless tapestry, and found precious meaning in some of the most devastating aspects of human experience. For anyone facing their own darkness, this book is a welcome and comforting companion, an inspiring guide, and a very wise friend.

An Appreciation
This is actually an appreciation - not a literary review. I am analcoholic in recovery and have an immense gratitude to Linda for writingthis book. In her book I found answers, or rather experiences I couldrelate to, so similar and fitting to many issues burning and un-explainedwithin me. My daimon has been enriched and my recovery program enhanced asa result of reading her great work. I have become a survivor (witness) tothe road less travelled up the ladder out of the Abyss - I am no longerterrified to visit that void of darkness because I understand the burningissues of Creativity and Addiction parallels and inter-relations all thatmuch better for reading her book. I am able, daily, one step at a time, tounshackle myself as a hostage to my addiction and choose to harness mycreativity productively as a result of being a student of "Witness tothe Fire". And I am a student of her work still, and always will be,due to my acceptance of my powerlessness over my lifelong disease and myneed for every tool I can find to keep me healthy and strong. But I havechosen to let My Higher Power guide my daily existence and can thereforecope and be creative once more. Linda's book is constantly next to mybedside along with my "Big Book" and "My Recovery Book"- in daily use during my prayers and meditations. You helped save my lifeLinda - Thank You. Colin Tatham ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Carl Gustav),    2. Archetype (Psychology)    3. Compulsive behavior    4. Creative ability    5. Creativity    6. General    7. Jung, C. G    8. Psychology    9. Self-Help    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    11. Alcoholism    12. Drug addiction & substance abuse    13. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    14. Popular psychology    15. Self-Help / Addiction   

Reviews (3)

Book is our text for JACS meetings
A group of us recently organized within the Jewish community of Phoenix to start a local chapter of JACS, Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically Addicted Persons, and Significant Others. We use this book as our text. A brief description of the JACS organization, and its relationship to and with other 12-Step programs is included in the Afterward section. Our group has grown steadily week to week, using "Twelve Steps" as both a source of inspiration and as an educational tool. It is not a replacement for other 12-Step programs, and doesn't try to be. Each chapter is devoted to one of the 12 principles, a concept that is not in the Big Book of AA, but which often triggers the introspection and self-awareness that is crucial to persons in recovery. Many Jews in our group are people who felt uncomfortable in traditional 12-Step meetings, for many, often different, reasons. This book reaches out to those people especially, helps ease their suffering, and brings all of us closer, ending the isolation which is so devestating. People get to recovery through many paths. We have found "Twelve Jewish Steps" to be both inspiring and community-building. So far, we've bought 24 books and we continue to need more. People use this book, reading it over and over. It increases compassion, understanding, and hope in both the person in recovery and in his/her family. There is no higher praise I can give.

Important resource for the recovering addict
Although the twelve step program of recovery from alcoholism and addiction was developed by religious Christians, these programs are nondenominational and, in fact, adhere to key tenants of Judaism. The type of introspection, righting of wrongs, and doing better in the future are part of the Jewish process of teshuva which means "return" and is the Jewish way to repentance. Rabbi Olitzky and Dr. Copans set forth this process, offering meditations, aphorisms, psalms and prayers relevant to each of the twelve steps.
THE Jewish contribution to Jewish 12 step spirituality
This book is designed for all those who want help from Jewish tradition in their struggle in recovery from alcohol and other addictions. It provides a Jewish context for Jews in recovery and reminds others of their Jewishroots. It dares to take people where they have never gone before! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alcohol use    2. Alcoholics    3. Alcoholism    4. Jews    5. Judaism    6. Recovery    7. Rehabilitation    8. Religious aspects    9. Self-Help    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    11. Twelve-Step Programs   

Subjects:  1. Alcoholics    2. Alcoholism    3. Life skills    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Addiction    6. Psychotherapy - General    7. Rehabilitation    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    9. Treatment    10. Addiction & therapy    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / Addictions    12. Psychotherapy