20 Best Books About Addiction (2023 Update)

Whether it involves drugs, alcohol, smoking, or food, addiction is an overwhelming and destructive force. while many rehabilitation programs are available, the truth is that too many people return to their old habits. why? end your addiction now not only explores the biochemical factors that are the real cause of this problem, but offers proven advice on how to break addictions once and for all. based upon the research and experience of dr. charles gantand other pioneers, this practical handbook provides simple step-by-step directions for kicking the habit. perhaps most unique, end your addiction now is designed both to guide its readers to effective physicians and treatment facilities, and to provide a path for those who wish to seek wellness on their own. at the heart of dr. gant's approach is a distinctive program of nutritional supplements designed to jump-start recovery by reducing substance cravings. dr. gant then walks readers through a natural process of detoxification and biochemical testing that pinpoints the specific deficiencies that must be addressed to achieve complete recovery.

Concise advice on hunting down the personal culprits that sabotage sobriety and personal happiness.in simple, down-to-earth language, dr. allen berger introduces us to twelve of the most common assumptions and attitudes that can sabotage recovery—and gives us the tools to overcome these challenges. although there are many ways to mess up recovery, dr. berger identifies critically important and widespread patterns of thought and behavior.

See what folks are saying about seeds of sobriety: "for every alcoholic/addict uneasy with religious programs, seeds of sobriety is must reading."-jim christopher, founder and executive director, sos international (secular organizations for sobriety/save our selves), hollywood, california "seeds of sobriety is jam-packed with powerful tools for staying sober."-barry solof, m.d., fellow, american society of addiction medicine, regional chief of addiction medicine, kaiser permanente, los angeles, california as desirable as any of these might be in themselves, you needn't work any x-step program, believe in a higher power, or achieve and maintain an attitude of serenity to stay sober. the main emphasis of seeds of sobriety is on the alcoholic's/addict's need to acknowledge their illness and prioritize their sobriety each day. seeds of sobriety also gives helpful hints on coping with different issues without drinking or using. liz purcell is a freelance writer and long-time sober alcoholic. she is also a long-time member of secular organizations for sobriety.

This book is a story from addiction to sobriety. this non-fiction book takes you on a journey of abuse, addiction, and how i have overcome so many obstacles. this book is written to give hope to those who are struggling with addiction along with the family and friends who seek to understand the addict. this book gives spiritual insight along with empowering words of inspiration and truth!

Silent screams: poetic journeys through addiction and recovery is a powerful collection of poetry for anyone who has experienced addiction or had a loved one trapped in its throes. the contributors from this volume courageously share their journeys with addiction, including pain, suffering, and loss. granger and hoffman have collected a masterful collection of accessible poems and provided a framework for understanding how poetry can be part of the healing journey. though some wounds never fully heal, this book will help readers continue their journey toward healing and growth.

"this masterpiece of dogged and loving reporting will astonish you and touch your heart. the struggles and quest for redemption of football star jackie wallace make for a fall-from-grace tale that's both unsettling and uplifting."–walter isaacson, author of steve jobs and leonardo da vincithe heartbreaking, timeless, and redemptive story of the transformative friendship binding a fallen-from-grace nfl player and a pulitzer prize-winning photojournalist who meet on the streets of new orleans, offering a rare glimpse into the precarious world of homelessness and the lingering impact of systemic racism and poverty on the lives of nola's citizens. in 1990, while covering a story about homelessness for the new orleans times-picayune, ted jackson encountered a drug addict sleeping under a bridge. after snapping a photo, jackson woke the man. pointing to the daily newspaper by his feet, the homeless stranger looked the photojournalist in the eye and said, "you ought to do a story about me." when ted asked why, he was stunned by the answer. "because, i've played in three super bowls." that chance meeting was the start of ted's thirty-year relationship with jackie wallace, a former nfl star who rose to the pinnacle of fame and fortune, only to crash and lose it all. getting to know jackie, ted learned the details of his life, and how he spiraled into the "vortex of darkness" that left him addicted and living on the streets of new orleans. ted chronicles jackie's life from his teenage years in new orleans through college and the nfl to the end of his pro career and the untimely death of his mother–devastating events that led him into addiction and homelessness. throughout, ted pays tribute to the enduring friendship he shares with this man he has come to know and also look at as an inspiration. but ted is not naïve; he speaks frankly about the vulnerability of such a relationship: can a man like jackie recover, or is he destined to roam the streets until his end? tragic and triumphant, inspiring and unexpected, you ought to do a story about me offers a rare glimpse into the precarious world of homelessness and the lingering impact of racism and poverty on the lives of nola's citizens. lyrical and evocative, ted's account is pure, singular, and ambitious–a timeless tale about loss, redemption, and hope in their multifarious forms." this book will melt your heart. the story of jackie wallace is an unforgettable tale of hope, grace, and the miracle of the human spirit. ted jackson writes with searing honesty and deep love for a troubled man who started as his subject and became his lifelong friend."–jonathan eig, bestselling author of ali: a life and luckiest man: the life and death of lou gehrig

The real truth about recovery? it contradicts science and medicine. it contradicts the bible. it doesn't work. nevertheless, millions of americans have been led to believe that recovery is the answer to addictive behavior. in this startling book you'll learn shocking facts like these: – even though 87% of americans believe alcoholism is a disease, there is no scientific evidence to support the disease model of alcoholism. yet the model provides the basis for nearly all recovery programs.- according to available evidence, addicts in recovery programs have no better recovery rate than those who receive no treatment.- in spite of billions of dollars spent on recovery, there are more alcoholics and drug addicts now than before the recovery approach came into vogue.- though widely thought to have christian roots, alcoholics anonymous has more in common with eastern religions than christianity. it is time to blow the whistle on the recovery industry. the useful lie provides all the necessary evidence. more than that, it points the way toward genuine freedom from addiction.

Step 13is the true story of how one man struggled with alcohol addiction and how god used this life to bring glory to himself. jim brissey opens his heart and honestly portrays his day-to-day struggle to give up his "good friend, buzz." as he shares his own struggles to overcome alcohol and worship god to the fullest, jim testifies that god can, indeed, use anyone to bring others to him.

A practical and evidence-based approach that focuses on family members and friends as positive, crucial instruments of change–you can help your loved one with addiction. – when you have a loved one who is addicted to alcohol or drugs, their addiction impacts the whole family–emotionally, financially, and physically. and with the widespread misuse of substances today, too many family members are experiencing its devastating effects. research also shows that family involvement in helping a loved one with addiction is a powerful predictor of positive outcome. so, how can you help someone you love overcome addiction and create a better life? from the authors of beyond addiction, this healing workbook offers practical, effective, and evidence-based skills for family members who want to understand what drives their loved one's addictive behavior, learn how to discuss it without conflict, and gain the tools and strategies necessary to cope and transform the situation and their lives. this comprehensive guide will empower you to be a crucial instrument of change. – using the authors' invitation to change approach, you'll learn: what drives addiction, and how to address it without condemnation – how to open lines of communication and discuss substance use without an argument – how your behavior interacts with and changes the behavior of your loved one – how your self-awareness and self-compassion are key to helping the person you care about – how to reward positive change, set respectful limits, and discourage negative behavior – how to find peace with your own complicated feelings, like sorrow and anger – concrete ways to help on a daily basis you don't have to try a "tough love" approach, or wait for your loved one to hit rock bottom–two outdated strategies that often exacerbate the problem and can lead to unnecessary suffering. you can be a force for positive change on your loved one's journey to recovery. let this workbook help your whole family move toward greater health and well-being–together.

From the author of addiction and grace, a work that shows how experiencing grace and love frees us to live beyond compulsion and addiction. may reveals a yearning for connectedness, communion, creation and joy in people which can be distracted by attachments to performance, responsibility, or gratifying substances.

"the product of more than 20 years of research, slaying the dragon is the remarkable story of america's personal and institutional responses to alcoholism and other addictions. it is the story of mutual aid societies: the washingtonians, the blue ribbon reform clubs, the ollapod club, the united order of ex-boozers, the jacoby club, alcoholics anonymous, and women for sobriety. it is a story of addiction treatment institutions from the inebriate asylums and the keely institutes to hazelden and parkside. it is a story of evolving treatment interventions that range from water cures and mandatory sterilization to aversion therapies and methadone maintenance. author william white provides a sweeping and engaging history of one of america's most enduring problems and the profession that was born to respond to it."–publisher website.

His patients are challenged by life-threatening drug addictions, mental illness, hepatitis c or hiv and, in many cases, all four. but if dr. maté’s patients are at the far end of the spectrum, there are many others among us who are also struggling with addictions. and why is it so difficult to stop these habits, even as they threaten our health, jeopardize our relationships and corrode our lives? beginning with a dramatically close view of his drug addicted patients, dr. maté looks at his own history of compulsive behaviour. he weaves the stories of real people who have struggled with addiction with the latest research on addiction and the brain. providing a bold synthesis of clinical experience, insight and cutting edge scientific findings, dr. maté sheds light on this most puzzling of human frailties. he proposes a compassionate approach to helping drug addicts and, for the many behaviour addicts among us, to addressing the void addiction is meant to fill.i believe there is one addiction process, whether it manifests in the lethal substance dependencies of my downtown eastside patients, the frantic self-soothing of overeaters or shopaholics, the obsessions of gamblers, sexaholics and compulsive internet users, or in the socially acceptable and even admired behaviours of the workaholic. drug addicts are often dismissed and discounted as unworthy of empathy and respect. in telling their stories my intent is to help their voices to be heard and to shed light on the origins and nature of their ill-fated struggle to overcome suffering through substance use. both in their flaws and their virtues they share much in common with the society that ostracizes them. if they have chosen a path to nowhere, they still have much to teach the rest of us.

For decades you've been told that addiction is an irreversible disease, a biological force over which you have no control. that defeatist message not only is without scientific foundation, but actually prevents your overcoming addiction. now, world-renowned addiction expert stanton peele demystifies addiction and offers a groundbreaking program that puts at your disposal what does work in treatment and recovery. for four decades, dr. peele has challenged our understanding of addiction and recovery. in recover! dr. peele's perfect program takes you through the key concepts of mindfulness–that is, your ability to detach from your addictive experience and to see that it is not who you are–combined with the buddhist idea of loving kindness, or self-acceptance. it's an easily grasped, yet multifaceted program that allows your true self to overcome your addictive urges. instead of focusing on what's wrong with you, the perfect program will help you discover, embrace, and build your recovery on what's already right about you. combining the best evidence-based treatments with the mindful use of meditation, recover! presents a life-transforming philosophy for freeing yourself from addiction forever.

A rare glimpse into a parent's worst nightmare. how do you help an addicted child? drug abuse, heroin addiction and the opioid epidemic are rampant. is one of your kids on drugs? if so you face many challenges dealing with teen drug use. trying to help the user, keep your family and relationships intact and maintain your own sanity and life, will test you like nothing else. when you are swept up in the cyclone of a child's addiction, it is chaos. it is difficult to get a true perspective of what is happening around you so that you make the best decisions. this book will help you understand what is happening. 'addict behind our bedroom door' chronicles the years d. l. and her husband spent struggling with the ravages of their daughter's mental illness and addiction. it is an honest, raw, unpolished look at what it is like to be in the storm of addiction with someone you love. d.l's journey is a testimony to the strength of a mother's love. it speaks to endurance and resiliency in the face of overwhelming despair and terror when a child is suffering from drug addiction. this is a story about setting boundaries for self-preservation. it gives permission to ask for help and removes the shame of parenting an addicted child. it is about letting go of guilt while simultaneously holding onto the wish that one day; the addict will get well. this story is about never giving up hope in the face of despair. it is about the promise that love can overcome the horror of addiction and loss. locking the bedroom door at night did not keep the addiction out. it was always present, intruding and threatening the safety and security of their home. d.l's journey is a testimony to the strength of a mother's love. it is resiliency in the face of despair and fear. it is about setting boundaries while working tirelessly to overcome obstacles and hardship that sit in the way of a child's recovery. it is about never giving up or letting go of the promise to love and hope for healing.

Recovery rising is the professional memoir of william white, who, over the span of five decades, evolved through several diverse roles to emerge as the addiction field's preeminent historian and one of its most visionary voices and prolific writers. recovery rising contains the stories, reflections, and lessons learned within one man's personal and professional journey. recounted here are many of the ideas, methods, people, and organizations that shaped the modern history of addiction treatment and recovery. these engaging stories are at times poignant and at times humorous, but always revealing, informative, and inspiring. william white's peers will find their life's work affirmed in these pages and a younger generation of addiction professionals and recovery advocates will feel the passing of a torch.

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The popular recovery model of getting clean and preventing relapse is effective but does not go far enough. it is time to set our sights on something far greater and because of jesus and what he has done for you, far greater is available and possible. struggling to avoid triggers while living in fear of relapse is not recovery. "becoming a threat to addiction" sets a new standard for addiction recovery and reveals how to go from living in addiction to threatening addiction and the darkness behind it. this book will enable you to make that journey by helping you: – identify the little things that lead to big failures. – eliminate once and for all the underlying causes of relapse. – accurately define recovery. – know how to generate desire for recovery when there seems to be none. – understand the spiritual laws behind addiction recovery and how to use them to your advantage. – see why you can’t change a habit without changing the lifestyle it is connected to. – understand the difference between outward hunger and inward hunger. – understand the three stages of addiction recovery and where most people get stuck. – recognize the difference between your spirit, soul, and body and how addiction recovery must include all three. – establish the right foundation for your best life. (a portion of the proceeds from the purchase of this book will go to provide copies for men and women in recovery programs.)

Perfection is the thief of joy. it's a lie that keeps us in a stranglehold of chaos and people-pleasing and addiction and lack. it holds us back from being our truest, most authentic selves. author vitale buford spent nearly three decades of her life in the web of perfection. the roots of her perfection were born in her childhood – she had a dysfunctional home-life fraught with alcoholism, workaholism and shame. this combination created an environment of neglect, where the only way vitale got attention was to be perfect. she was praised for being an "easy child," "pretty," and "self-motivated," so that's what she tried to be. her need for perfection and outside success was coupled with her body image obsession. it was also a distraction from the pain of abandonment and loneliness she experienced in her childhood. it was the perfect storm – she tied her self-worth to her external success and her appearance, and hence, her addiction to perfection was born. the need for perfection followed her to college, and when she started gaining weight, she became obsessed with dieting to make her body smaller and more acceptable. she worked hard in college and got good grades, but her body shame was all consuming. her junior year of college, she was introduced to adderall as a "study drug." she used it for a few months – and ended up losing 20 pounds; she also got her best grades ever with her most rigorous course load. she was sure she had discovered the "perfect drug." she was able to obtain her own prescription the following year. it hooked her immediately. she was addicted not only to adderall but also to the perfection and the weight loss and her newfound ability to accomplish projects and tasks with ease. this was the beginning of a 10-year love affair with adderall. in addicted to perfect, vitale shares the highs and lows of having been a slave to adderall, the destructive relationships that ensued, and the way that she finally broke free. she details the many twists and turns involved in the years leading up to her getting sober and the eating disorder that followed her into sobriety. it took parenthood and radical honesty for her to begin the road to true healing. perfectionism is no longer something that enslaves her, and vitale's story is one of hope that no matter where you are in your life, you can release the grip of perfection. you can heal your pain and your abandonment and your loneliness and your fear and your guilt and your shame. you can experience true freedom, and most importantly, replace perfection with self-love.

As i began to write shortly after my daughter's death, my inner eye became focused, intent on rediscovering sarah. the sarah i knew as a child had long ago morphed into an adult i did not recognize or understand. i blamed myself. where did i go wrong? i was consumed by guilt, grief, and sadness. writing was a means to process what happened. it was therapy, giving me a purpose to get up in the morning. it grounded me allowing me to express my grief through words. as i wrote, the telling of this story took on a life of its own. prose, narrative, and dialogue interweaved, allowing not only the reader but also the author to peer into the looking glass, to see beyond oneself to what lurks in the background of the human soul, and to recognize how special each of us really is. writing this story has been incredibly difficult. i was told i was terribly hard on myself. the truth is not always pretty. but accepting the truth allows one to move forward resulting in healing. healing takes time. it can be painful. sometimes, the nearly healed wound is re-injured, the scab torn loose exposing the tender flesh beneath. it may ooze for a time, but then the healing begins again. grief can be like that. a year has passed; a year of grief, healing, learning, and better understanding the disease of addiction. the road leading to addiction and the reasons one succumbs to substance use disorder is different for everyone. addiction is complex and those who struggle with it often face other mental health challenges such as loss, loneliness, pain, and emptiness. they long for fulfillment. they may feel misunderstood, misjudged, stigmatized, unloved. these voids must be filled. the human spirit demands it. society is quick to formulate judgments toward those struggling with addiction. however, is addiction a choice? is mental illness a choice? everyone's story is different. i can only share my own and how our family was affected. the effects of addiction ripple out, washing over everyone in some manner or form. like many, i originally thought substance use was a choice, a deficit in one's moral code, a weakness that one should be able to control. why must tragedy occur to inspire illumination? will sharing my story allow others to more easily identify the symptoms of addiction and to recognize addiction as a disease? i hope so. i share because i must. in sharing i am breaking the silence, using sarah's voice, as well as my own with a clear objective: to remove feelings of shame and disgrace related to addiction. i believe as you read between the lines of this story each of you will take away something that touches your own heart. if so, i have accomplished what i set out to do. let us direct positive energies toward these struggling souls. rather than projecting fear and judgment, what would happen if society projected understanding, empathy, compassion, and acceptance? acceptance that they have an illness, not just addiction, but often, buried beneath the surface, acute sadness, and unresolved conflict. acceptance means giving these lost souls purpose, inclusion, a reason to live. as society begins to remove the stigma of addiction, boundaries to seeking recovery will lessen, improving the odds of recovery, decreasing the risk of death by overdose. sarah's death must not be an ending-let it be a beginning towards understanding, acceptance, and empathy.