Reviews (1)

FINALLY!AReal,Hopeful Approach to end the Hell of Crystal Addiction.
If you have ever thought of trying crystal-meth, or think you have a problem with the drug- this book is essential reading.It speaks to you in a language that today's "users" will understand and have difficulty denying the truths put forth about using meth, sex, sexuality, work and day to day life.After a two year long serious and sometimes seemingly hopeless escape from the world of Meth and "Party life" ...this one book hit every chord of day to day life and real strategies for the tough road of recovery.When every MD, and Psychologist told me that there is no cure for Meth addiction, this book showed me that there is a way and I've been living it everyday now for almost a year. I would recommend this book to anyone who has any questions about using Meth.Required reading for all parents of all teens, and all teen homosexuals! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drug abuse    2. Healing    3. Methamphetamine abuse    4. Patients    5. Prevention    6. Recovery    7. Self-Help    8. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Drug Dependence    9. Treatment    10. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    11. Drug addiction & substance abuse    12. Health & Fitness / Healing   

Reviews (10)

Inspiring Real-life Story
It is amazing to read Melody Beattie's life story of her battle with addiction and destructive behaviors. She leads by example showing what she did to overcome her problems. I was truely amazed by what she went through. This is a wonderful Real life story for anyone struggling with addictions to read.

Prostitution, drugs, to fame in codependency research
Wow. When a friend lent me a copy of this book, I had to buy myself one. This is such a terrific addition to literature and I am so enlightened to have read it. I read Codependent No More over and over with a 1980s copy, and I never would have guessed what Ms. Beattie went through to get where she's at today. Prostitution so she could get drugs, rape from drugged stupors, her arm being photographed with all its needle marks and used to show school children the horrors of drug use -- the clinicians certainly never thought she'd amount to anything, but she learned codependency is the root of all addiction. An incredible story
Melody Beattie has a life story that I would never have imagined from Codependent No More. She has a powerful insight into how and why things happen and Playing It by Heart shows how she has truly "been there." This book was impossible to put down. It is one I would sincerely recommend to anyone who struggles with life, especially when addictions are involved. Her story was very encouraging and I am very glad to have found this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Codependency    2. Codependents    3. Religious aspects    4. Religious life    5. Self-Help    6. Spirituality - General    7. Marriage, family & other relationships    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Popular psychology    10. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (17)

Author went through hell
I am not an abused wife or battered woman, but I can still appreciate what the author went through.She gives the reader a mostly detailed journey through her personal hell.Having said that I find it puzzling that she would choose to go to a costume party as Nicole Brown and OJ Simpson, complete with ketchup on her neck.It was in terrible taste and the author tries to explain it by saying "the reality behind the charade was too important for me to abandon".Then she goes to tell that others at the party thought it was in bad taste and her italicized comments are "that they missed the point."Not surprisingly they did, didn't they. Apparently, she thought they would immediately realize she was abused? She also admits her two youngest children were quite disturbed seeing her dressed like that and she told them it was a game and left it to the babysitter to explain.I, for one, don't look for hidden meanings in Halloween costumes and since Ms. Weldon stressed her love and devotion to her children and how she didn't want them affected by the abuse, I find her attitude about the costumes and her children very strange to say the least. The real deal
Michele Weldon does a magnificent job describing her harrowing journey through domestic violence, and she does so with clarity and unflinching honesty.Domestic violence crosses all socio-economic and cultural boundaries.Just as no two women are alike, no two violent marriages are identical; Ms. Weldon explains her own experience in such a way that anyone living through this hell will see some element of her own situation. Great for a woman who has left an abusive marriage
Thank you Michele Weldon for writing your journey through living and leaving an abusive husband. ---Read more

Subjects:  1. 1958-    2. Abuse - General    3. Abuse - Physical    4. Abused wives    5. Biography    6. Case studies    7. Literary Criticism    8. Literature: Classics    9. Self-Help    10. United States    11. Weldon, Michele,    12. Wife abuse    13. Women Authors    14. Women's Studies - General    15. Biography: general    16. Domestic violence    17. Self-Help / Substance Abuse    18. Women's studies   

Reviews (4)

There's a practical way to end addiction. Who knew?
A great read for anyone who wants to reinforce that they are capable of cultivating their own, unique meaning in life. And, if you've been put off by the irrational teachings of 12 step groups, this book will help you realize that you are not crazy: You aren't powerless. You can choose what life goals to pursue -and you don't need the approval of strangers in a group or coerced faith in an ill-defined "Power Greater Than Yourself" to do so.
It is easy to beat addiction in 10 days at Schick Shadel
As a former addict hooked on alcohol, I believe this book makes some valid recommendations.However, it doesn't need to be so hard to breal addiction to alcohol and many drugs.Ten days at Schick Shadel Hospital in Seattle and I, like tens of thousands of patients before me, was cured from years of slavery to alcohol. No meetings and no daily worries about wanting another drink.If you give the caring folks at Schick Shadel Hospital 10 days, they will give you back your life.
Excellent!
7 Tools to Beat Addiction is an excellent resource for those addicted to alcohol or other substances and want to enrich their lives while reducing or eliminating their alcohol intake.
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Subjects:  1. Addicts    2. Applied Psychology    3. Psychology    4. Rehabilitation    5. Self-Help    6. Self-help techniques    7. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    8. Health & Fitness / Healing    9. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (1)

Altho a difficult read this is a great teaching text
This text provides informative and up to date information regarding a broad range of drug related topic.Althought the reading level is not easy, the information is extremely useful for drug counselors.The information presented regarding psychopharmacology provides an excellent base of preparation for the certification test used in many states.I highly recommend this text as well as many of the web site exercises. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Health & Fitness    3. Health/Fitness    4. Psychology    5. Psychopathology - Addiction    6. Family & Health    7. Popular medicine   

Subjects:  1. Psychology    2. Psychopathology - Addiction    3. Substance abuse    4. Substance-Related Disorders    5. Drug addiction & substance abuse    6. Physiological & neuro-psychology    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / Addictions   

Editorial Review

Using the unlikely backdrop of Northern Africa, Melody Beattie (author of Read more

Reviews (16)

To all of YOU who have written a review for this book
I am writing to all of you who have written a review about this book, and especially to Melody Beattie. To the person who mocked about Melody's inner civil war, or you're already a god or you will never ever hope to KNOW what an inner civil war is. And to the rest of you, this book is not about traveling through Nothern Africa, it is about INNER travel, if you were trying to read an action-packed James Bond or Indiana Jones story, you guys picked the wrong book. This is not a fiction book, it is a book about how to find your inner deamons, your fears, face them and come through truly successfuly. This is a "self-help" book, and should be rated accordingly. I lived an inner civil war myself, and Melody greatly helped in making me understand how everything lies in subtleness, awareness, in trusting the universe. In trusting yourself, in listening to yourself for once! Hence the name of the book. This certainly was one of the pivotal steps in helping me change my life. This book is for people WHO needs it, otherwise you'd be bored to hell, of course. Every kind of book, song, movie, painting, etc... has a porpuse and is meant for certain kind of people. Just stop for a moment and THINK before you rate a book...before you rate anything. It is NOT about "if I liked it or not", it is about "does it work?" This book is not a novel, it is a tool for those who need it. It didn't work for you because you didn't need it. I needed it, and guess what, it worked. It really did. THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH MELODY, YOU REALLY HELPED SOMEONE BE MORE CONSCIOUS, MORE AWARE AND A BETTER PERSON. I ONLY WISH I COULD CONTACT YOU TO TELL YOU THIS PERSONALLY. GOD BLESS YOU, AND YOUR DAUGHTER. -Rafael Romo, Mexico City.

Simple but enlightening
The title of this enlightening read caught my eye, for the very fact that many of us, at some time, treat ourselves worse than do others. In Stop Being Mean to Yourself, Melody Beattie finds a unique way towards unraveling the reasons why this may be so.Beattie reaches the reader at the level of the solar plexus - an area of the body to which she refers several times as she recounts her 1996 journey through Algeria, Morocco and Egypt.While one may never see Giza's pyramids, Melody's "leap of faith" in that exotic locale helps the reader to vicariously experience her inner transformation, which is really what this book is about.
Don't Waste Your Money
I am seldom pushed to write a book review, especially a negative review, but this book has compelled me to write one.Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa, North    2. Beattie, Melody    3. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    4. Psychology    5. Self-Help    6. Self-acceptance    7. Self-esteem    8. Travel    9. Journeys    10. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    11. Popular psychology    12. Self-Help & Practical Interests    13. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (1)

Keep coming back -- to "Came To Believe"
I dip into this AA World Services publication daily. I find it best to read one story at a sitting and reflect on the comments and experience of the recovering person -- most of the short reflections are peoples'spiritual experiences in recovery and they range from the "bolt oflightening" to the slow emergence of everyday spirituality. Keep itwith your morning or evening meditation book(s) and dip into it. You'll"keep coming back." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Recovery    2. Self-Help    3. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    4. Twelve-Step Programs    5. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (3)

"Excellent "
For years I have struggled with poor social and communication skills which caused me great frustration.This book was written for people like myself who have grown up in the shadows of alcoholism and consequently did not develop some key life skills as a result of the alcoholic environment.This book is a must read.it is thoroughly well written, with examples and instructions on how to develop the life skills needed. i especially liked the chapter that focused on conversation clues, which gives scenarios that can be used in everyday life. Wonderful!!

Not enough detail for my taste
I'm a veteran of the "adult child" genre, and as I was reading this book, I found myself thinking that other books in my library covered this ground much more effectively for my taste.I found the tone of this volume somewhat simplistic and the sample person-to-person interactions a bit forced (which I suppose is the point), but that made it hard for me to relate to them or imagine myself carrying out the sample exercises. An Invaluable Resource
"Lifeskills" is one of those books everyone should own.It deals with the personality traits inherent in those from dysfunctional families (primarily, children of alcoholics) and presents"normal" functioning skills which children of alcoholics often donot learn.Even if one is not a product of an alcoholic environment, thisbook gives an excellent view of healthy, "normal" responses tolife's daily situations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adult Children of Alcoholics    2. Adult children of drug addicts    3. Codependency    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Life skills    6. Life skills guides    7. Recovery    8. Self-Help    9. Services For The Family    10. Substance Abuse & Addictions - General    11. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    12. Popular psychology    13. Self-Help / Adult Children of Substance Abusers   

Reviews (10)

Spells out the unique dangers of teen drinking
Having navigated through the rocks and landmines of parenting three boys through adolescence, I know that drinking, at least occasionally, can be a part of the journey. We never encouraged it, never "enabled" it, never denied it.
All the elements of a fantastic read are here!
As someone who has experienced the wrath of addiction up close and personally in family members - as have most of us - and been disappointed in the lack of personal stories focused on recovery, communication and scope of the issue, I was at first skeptical of this book when I read about it in a People magazine feature recently; I doubted its substantiality. But I was won over within just a few pages. This educational and readable work is the real deal. Attributes I noticed as I screamed through this page-turner:
Compelling read
This book should be a part of every family's library, a gift from concerned grandparents, a required read for college freshmen, on every teacher's desk, a fun airplane read, a part of every treatment center and a mainstay in the armamentarium of those who counsel youth.
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Subjects:  1. Adolescent Psychology    2. Adult Children of Alcoholics    3. Alcohol Abuse    4. Alcohol use    5. Alcoholics    6. Biography    7. Biography / Autobiography    8. Case studies    9. Developmental - Adolescent    10. Family relationships    11. Life Stages - Adolescence - Drugs/Drinking    12. Self-Help    13. Sociology    14. Specific Groups - General    15. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Alcoholism    16. Teenage boys    17. United States    18. Coping with drug & alcohol abuse    19. Self-Help / Adult Children of Substance Abusers   

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   

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 (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 (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 (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