Alcoholism Books

I was disappointed and depressed by this book. Chapter 4, "We Agnostics", retains the heavy-handed treatment of Agnostics found in "the Big Book": "We agnostics and atheists chose to believe that human intelligence was the last word... Rather vain of us, wasn't it?" Agnostics are not atheists; and agnostics are no more or less prone to vanity than those with religious faith. If there is vanity here, it is on the part of the author - who falslely presupposes what Agnostics believe about human intelligence, and uses this erroneous presupposition to conclude that Agnostics must be vain. Shortly thereafter in the chapter the Agnostic disappears for some reason. The Atheist then is then brought to his knees, literally, when confronted by one of those seemingly unstoppable attacks on egotism: "Who are you to say there is no God?" Of course the Agnostic would have answered, "Who are you to say there IS a god?" Perhaps this is why he disappears in chapter 4 in both "the Big Book" and "A Simple Program."

AA still has a long way to go in its treatment of Agnosticism and Atheism. In this context, "A Simple Program" represents little or improvement on "The Big Book".

With 7 years in the Program, I am amazed that a book like this hasn't been published sooner. A very needed addition/update to the Big Book. Possibly a preview of what the next revision of the Big Book will look like. Although I am considered a "Big Book thumper" I find no fault in this translation of "our bible...." Masterfully done and a true landmark for those of us in the Program today..... Yes it is 1998 and time for an update such as this..... rw texas

This book explains what it means to be an Alcoholic. Being an Alchoholic is as much an attitude towards yourself and life, as a craving for alcohol. For the many who are at the bottom looking for answers, or to the skeptic who isn't sure whether or not they are an Alchoholic, this book offers clear answers to a confusing problem.

I bought this book one day after experiencing a wonderful hangover, and then it sat on my bookshelf unread for years. I actually read the book while drinking a glass of wine. As I turned the pages, I realized more and more the exact measure of how much I had lost control of my life, and the capacity I possessed for lying to myself.

Spend 12 dollars for a 12 pack and have fun tonight, or spend 12 dollars on this book and learn what it takes to have fun for the rest of your life... real fun.

Twenty years of soberity here. Yes it is time for an update and this is it. I would recommend this book to new people in AA along with the book An Encounter With A Prophet.

Thanks to these authors for putting together a resource for the significcant others of those affected alcoholics and drug addicts. While, so many self help books written for family members label those who want to help as co-dependents, this one does not! Instead, I was able to read about several options I have as a parent of an addicted teenager to help him. As a result, I was able to find several teen oriented support meetings that my son can has gone to and I feel that I have helped him...finally! Thank You!!

"Addiction-Free" by Gene Hawes and Anderson Hawes fills a niche in the literature on alcoholism and addiction. Alcoholism and drug addiction is universally recognized in American medicine as the disease of substance abuse and represents one of America's largest epidemics. Studies put the numbers of alcoholics in the U.S. at 18 million, and the numbers of drug addicts at five-and-a-half million. Consequently, one of the greatest imperatives in America today is to help these alcoholics/addicts begin recovery before they ruin their careers, impoverish their families, get imprisoned, kill others on the highway, or finally kill themselves in car crashes, overdose, or liver failure. This imperative is answered in full in "Addiction - Free; How to Help an Alcoholic or Addict Get Started on Recovery." It explains all the little-known ways by which millions of former alcoholics/addicts actually have started recovery, and are recovering today. It tells how to get help with starting recovery in any community, anywhere in the U.S. It guides readers to all of the medical treatment programs there are for alcoholism/addiction. Importantly, it also advises how those individuals closest to the alcoholic/addict can start recovery from the deep emotional injuries they themselves have suffered, while also helping the alcoholic/addict in their lives to recover. For the many millions of Americans who desperately need it, "Addiction-Free" is indispensable and even inspiring. The book is well organized, easy to read and can be read through or used as a reference for individuals, families, and professionals.

This book focuses exclusively on achieving sobriety through Alcoholics Anonymous, and it (unfortunately) ignores any other way to quit drinking. Numerous studies -- as well as common sense -- show that alcoholics/addicts are a diverse group, and that many people benefit from approaches OTHER than those that are based on the 12 steps. AA is fine for people who have a religious or spiritual bent, but other groups (like Secular Organizations for Sobriety and SMART Recovery) are appropriate for alcoholics who want to become sober without relying on a Higher Power.

This book would have been much better if it had been written from a more open-minded perspective.

Author Hourihan evidently chose not to publish any of his works before his death; now they are appearing from a press (Vedantic Shores) of which his widow is the principal. This book about the famous 10-year-long depression AA cofounder Bill suffered (1945-1955) draws heavily on the principles of Hindu Vedanta, to which Hourihan, a Boston Irishman, subscribed. It is, where the facts bear, factual, but essentially fictional as to the explanations of Bill's inner llife, by which I do not mean necessarily untrue, just that they are not really known and Hourihan's guess is perhaps as good as any. This is a sort of spiritual whodunit, so it would not be sporting to do a capsule summary of what Hourihan thinks was (a) the original cause, and (b) the cause of the lifting of Bill's depression, except to say that this writer, who has done a youth biography of Bill (Bill W., A Different Kind of Hero: The Story of Alcoholics Anonymous) finds Hourihan's thesis at least plausible. I think anyone interested in the sources of AA, now an ackowledged world wonder among moovements dealing with the causes and cures of those assorted scourges called "substance addictions, is almost certain to be captivated by this well-written, insightful book. Hourihan does not say whether or not he was himself an alcoholic; my guess is he was, because he is so sympatico with it, but that will have for the moment to remain unknown in accord with the AA tradition of anonymity, which tends to be cacelled by death.

With sensitive accuracy, Paul Hourihan, in his novel "Bill W - A Strange Salvation," has portrayed Bill Wilson as being both humble and spiritual, the two main ingredients for achieving meaningful sobriety.
Overwhelmed by the enormous significance of the movement he had created, Alcoholics Anonymous, Hourihan suggests that it was these very qualities that influenced Wilson's decline into his long depression throughout which he sought spiritual reassurance and strength.
"A Strange Salvation" provides a valuable tool for members of the Fellowship in all stages of recovery, and to those dedicated to finding peace of mind.

Bill W., A Strange Salvation is a novel based on the life of Bill Wilson, founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. Wilson founded AA in the 1930's after suffering his own excessive drinking problems for years. Although driven to a higher purpose, all of his life, his greatest achievement- sobriety for himself and thousands of others was not enough. A deep depression filled his mind and his soul for almost twenty years.

This book asks gut wrenching, soul searching questions that reach deep into the psyche of readers, both those who have experienced alcoholism and those that have not. The questions are universally relevant and inspire readers to search for their own truths.

Author, Paul Hourihan was committed to the spiritual path for over 45 years. A graduate of Boston University, his personal experience includes the writing of more than a dozen books as well as the teaching of courses on mystics and mysticism. In this book, Mr. Hourihan takes us on a perceptive journey during which we delve deeply into the causes and the effects of Bill Wilson's depression. The author provides us with a possible answer and the discovery of the "strange salvation" which may have saved Wilson from a worst fate.

A profound, in-depth study of the subject in an easy to read novel format, this book is enlightening.

This book has some very good sections mixed with average, repetitive sections. Some chapters appear almost verbatim in other text books. I have been able to use it as a reference for writing papers but other than that it's a book that you can pass over.

As a standard text this leaves much to be desired. My main concern is that there is too little emphasis on the behavioral and subjective effects of drugs and too much emphasis on neurochemistry and physiology. Also, the selection of topics is somewhat arbitrary -- many important etiological and other issues are ignored -- and the quality of writing is quite uneven. It is a book that every professional needs to own - but it isn't the stand-alone "comprehensive" text that it claims to be.

If you desire to have knowledge of addictive disorders then this book is a must read. Its comprehensive, written well, and packed with useful and extremely practical information. It covers history, diagnosi, disorders, treatment and much much more. Highly recommended if you are to be a well read and effective clinician or just want in depth information from an incredible amount of experts in the field.

This book has been of great help with my preparation for taking the test to become a LAC (Licensed Addiction Counselor)

Addiction Treatment Forum (www.atforum.com) book review; September 2000; Stewart B. Leavitt, PhD, Editor -- Simply put, Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment; 5th edition. is a book that may help save lives. In this 380 page text, Marc A. Schuckit, MD provides an overview of drug classifications and mechanisms, and covers the pharmacology and mental/physical effects of alcohol, depressants, stimulants, opioids, hallucinogens, cannabis, and more. Most critical, there is an emphasis throughout the book on how to deal with emergency medical problems related to drug abuse, dependency, and overdose.

Schuckit, who is affiliated with the University of California Medical School and Veteran Affairs Healthcare System in San Diego, is a talented lecturer and he apparently writes like he speaks: clear and concise, technical but understandable. This 5th edition of his text dating back to 1979 includes a 70% updating of reference material with a focus on newer developments in pharmacotherapy, plus an all new chapter on prevention. The coverage of substances of abuse is all-encompassing; ranging from "Acid" (hallucinogens) to "Zoom" (stimulants), and everything imaginable in between.

How does one use a book like this? Schuckit recommends skimming all of the chapters covering the many drug classes, including descriptions of individual drugs and associated pathology, then rereading sections of particular interest. From there, the book can serve as a handbook, kept nearby for easily-accessed advice on dealing with drug-related crises or confirming suspected drug-induced symptomatology appearing in clinical settings. The text is fully indexed and evidence-based, with research references listed at the end of each of the 16 chapters.

Certainly, medical practitioners will find this book invaluable. It also could be an essential reference for nursing staff, psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other professionals who need a quick, handy, clinically-oriented manual on alcohol and other drug problems.

Schuckit MA. Drug and Alcohol Abuse: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment; 5th edition. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers; January 2000. ISBN 0306462303. Available online from www.Amazon.com ($49.95 + shipping) and at other booksellers.

This year, I needed a comprehensive text to help me put together a lecture on substance use disorders for psychiatrists taking their board exams. It had been some time since I, a psychologist who conducts research on co-occurring disorders, had updated myself generally on current knowledge regarding substance use disorders. This text was very useful for this purpose; I can see it being a useful reference guide for medical practioners concerned with treating those with substance use disorders. I found Schuckit's classification of substances by their effects (depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens) rather than trying to present information on similar-acting drugs individually (cocaine, amphetamines) particularly useful. The chapters are concise and well-written and loaded with details as noted by the previous reviewer.

That said, I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars because as a comprehensive guide, it gives relatively short shrift to psychosocial treatments. Whereas each chapter on drug classes goes into step-by-step detail about, for example, treating symptoms of acute withdrawal or intoxication for a particular drug class, there is only a single chapter at the end of the text regarding psychosocial treatments. That chapter is too short and lacks sufficient detail to cover recent developments such as the inclusion of evidence-based practices (e.g., motivational interviewing, trauma reduction therapies) into many treatment regimens. And although published in 2005, knowledge on pharmacological treatments in conjunction with psychosocial treatments such as the results of the recent COMBINE study (acamprosate and naltrexone plus CBT for treating alcoholism) are not included in detail.

To be fair, research is moving far too fast for any text to be completely up-to-date by the time of publication. However, this exclusion simply calls attention to the lack of coverage of psychosocial treatments generally.

In short then, this text is recommended as a primer and a guide to medical management of substance use disorders and will be of particular use to those working in emergency rooms or detoxification centers. Those working in longer term programs needing guidance on the management of addiction disorders through the post-acute and relapse management phases should consider a different text.

A lot of funny items within the book.It is a really great way of carrying the AA message.

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.

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.

Overall the reference guide was not as informative as I expected. I also expected that the Guide would have contained more information, relating to the program itself. I may be incorrect, but sensed the Guide was written by a non-progam person.

The contents, more specifically, word listings are readily available through a number of search engines, which in my opinion are more complete.

The idea of presenting key individuals significant to the program is interesting, but also available in more detail through alternate sources.

The product was delivered before the scheduled date, well packaged, and in excellent condition. This part of the transaction I would rate as 5 Star

Just what I needed to prepare a talk on recovery. Great source of facts and information.
Thanks

Find out how often the word 'recovered' is used and other useful and interesting facts about Alcoholics Anonymous - the Big Book.

As a writer about the 12 Steps I've almost worn out my copy!

This book was not at all useful and really boring. Take a bunch of medical research and add a dull author who obviously doesn't know anything about drugs except what he heard> terrible writing and fiction all over the book.HOW COULD SOMEONE TALK ABOUT RECOVERY AND ABUSE IF THEY HAVEN'T EVEN TRIED IT! tHIS BOOK SHOULD BE CALLED"THE BASIC RULES OF HYPOCRISY AND THE DULL AUDIENCE WHO IS EASILY BRAINWASHED"

I wrote this book for two broad audiences and purposes. First, it is intended to provide useful information to lay but informed readers who want to understand the drugs of abuse and the addiction and treatment processes. Second, it can be used as a textbook in a university addiction studies program and as a reference guide to the drugs of abuse and the processes of addiction, treatment, and recovery. One of the things that fueled my interest to write the book is the fact that there are many poorly-researched and highly-opinionated books on substance abuse-related issues. I made an intense effort to ensure that this book was research-based, heavily referenced, objective, and helpful.

The first half of the book focuses on the drugs of abuse, how they work, and how they affect biological, psychological, and social functioning. It was written in part to answer such frequently-asked questions as "How does this drug work?" and "Is this drug addictive?" The second half of the book provides a good description of the addiction process, and walks the reader through the treatment and recovery processes. It also provides additional attention to such issues as individuals with coexisting psychiatric and substance use disorders, genetics and alcoholism, and adolescent addiction. Throughout, this book helps the reader to understand that addiction, treatment, recovery, and even relapse are all dynamic biopsychosocial processes.

I wrote this book for two broad audiences and purposes. First, it is intended to provide useful information to lay but informed readers who want to understand the drugs of abuse and the addiction and treatment processes. Second, it can be used as a textbook in a university addiction studies program and as a reference guide to the drugs of abuse and the processes of addiction, treatment, and recovery. One of the things that fueled my interest to write the book is the fact that there are many poorly-researched and highly-opinionated books on substance abuse-related issues. I made an intense effort to ensure that this book was research-based, heavily referenced, objective, and helpful.

The first half of the book focuses on the drugs of abuse, how they work, and how they affect biological, psychological, and social functioning. It was written in part to answer such frequently-asked questions as "How does this drug work?" and "Is this drug addictive?" The second half of the book provides a good description of the addiction process, and walks the reader through the treatment and recovery processes. It also provides additional attention to such issues as individuals with coexisting psychiatric and substance use disorders, genetics and alcoholism, and adolescent addiction. Throughout, this book helps the reader to understand that addiction, treatment, recovery, and even relapse are all dynamic biopsychosocial processes.

The problem with this title is that it writes of a public figure whose life changed after the period covered by the book. Yes, Harold Hughes was an alcoholic. Yes, Harold Hughes was a Governor. Yes, Harold Hughes was a strong legislative advocate for alcoholics' rights. But that's not the Harold Hughes who spoke and wrote to me about some views he fervently held. In fact, it was he who first contacted me - by phone. He pointed out that he had left the political scene to devote himself to witnessing for Christ. He stressed the importance of having public figures step forward with their full names, identify themselves as believers, make clear they had defeated the ravages of alcoholism, and stand tall for the power of God. It was that view which prompted his founding of SOAR. It was that view that resulted in his writing the Foreword to That Amazing Grace (http://www.dickb.com/titles.shtml). And it was that view that was left out of the instant book. No comment on its relevance half a century ago. But Harold Hughes should be depicted as the Christian, healed, outspoken champion of alcoholics who believe and want to be cured.

As a person who teaches policy to students who are not very interested in it, I greatly appreciate Nancy Olson's interesting and readable account of public policy development for the alcoholism treatment field during the latter half of the last century. Most of the public policy for this field in our country has focused on law enforcement rather than humane and sensible responses to addiction. Ms. Olson's book also reminds us that sweeping policy change like the 1970 Hughes Act, which is the centerpiece of this book, actually begins decades earlier and reverberates for years to come. This one act, amazingly ushered into existence by a one term Senator, was a stunning victory for those who care about really solving the alcohol addiction problem in our country.

I worked in the field when this legislation passed. I can really appreciate the perspective of someone who was making things happen in Washington at the same time that I was working with the OEO program in our community developing community resources and getting people into AA, which was all the real help there was at the time. It was facinating to see that side of the action and to remember those promising days.

Linda Farris Kurtz, ACSW, DPA
Professor, Eastern Michigan University

This book provides real information that those working today for social change in the recovery movement can use to take action. Those who have come before us working as "citizens" bring hope for our efforts today. Ms. Olson's first hand experience in working on policy issues, is a jewel of knowledge for those "sick and tired of being sick and tired" in today's current policy arena. More than all else this book provides detail on how those who wished only to open doors for those suffering were willing and able to come together for a common purpose on policy, all in the "spirit of recovery".

This book offers empowering detail on how the current policy arena developed and the "powers that be" came to life. This includes the NIAAA, NCADD, etc. For those not exposed to this side of our governments structure, but with a desire to learn more, I suggest reading this book immediately.

Ms. Olson does an amazing job of sourcing information, and providing readers with "real" insight on how the recovery movement began, and this is most valuable for the "real people" organizing today to carry a message of hope for real policy change reaching some 18million Americans in need of recovery.

WeRecover.org will continue to encourage all members and those interested in taking action to support recovery for social change to read this remarkable books account of what a few dedicated, educated, and spiritually driven people can do when they are willing take action together.

If you liked this book, also try "The Healing Journey" series of self help journaling books by Phil Rich. The first two books, "The Healing Journey" and "The Healing Journey for Couples", are journaling books written to help people learn how to journal and what to journal about. The other books in the series, called "The Healing Journey Through..." focus on journaling and self help in specific topic areas like grief, divorce, job loss, menopause, retirement, and addiction.

A fair book with some interesting insights