Question about "Living Sober" - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

tomvlll · 08-28-2009, 09:35 AM

Does anybody know the context in which this book was written?

Tommyh · 08-28-2009, 09:47 AM

not excally sure what you mean but I`ll try and figure it out.
It was written by Barry L years ago when AA did not have much literature.At the time I hear it was helpful to some alcoholics,as it is today.
I believe it was written to provide helpful tips to help others get and stay sober,but not as a program guide to sobriety alone

tomvlll · 08-28-2009, 10:48 AM

Thanks bballdad.

the context of my question is that sometimes it seems like the subtitle should be "AA for people who don't want to work the steps."

I was just wondering if the thought process behind the book was that AA wanted to have transition material available for a not-quite-ready newcomer while not scaring them off with all the "God stuff".

Mark75 · 08-28-2009, 10:54 AM

I got the book, and was essentially disappointed... I had learned all that in rehab.

For someone just coming in and has no tools to help avoid that first drink, it probably has some useful info...

Mark

FightingIrish · 08-28-2009, 11:02 AM

I found the book helpful in early sobriety...I had never read anything by anyone talking about how to get sober before...as in, how to physically, tactically navigate early sobriety. I'm glad it was written.

I always laugh (and want to cry) when I hear people says things to the effect of, "Living Sober - pshaw! it's not the Big Book."

It's like, ummm, did it ever claim it was the Big Book? It is what it says it is.

**Astro** · 08-28-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FightingIrish

I found the book helpful in early sobriety...I had never read anything by anyone talking about how to get sober before...as in, how to physically, tactically navigate early sobriety. I'm glad it was written.

I always laugh (and want to cry) when I hear people says things to the effect of, "Living Sober - pshaw! it's not the Big Book."

It's like, ummm, did it ever claim it was the Big Book? It is what it says it is.

I don't think tomvIII wanted a book review, but I'll give him my short synopsis

I love Living Sober, I pick up used copies when I can find 'em cheap and give them to the newcomers who stick around awhile. Not as a replacement for the BB and 12&12, but in my opinion the book is like "Hints & Helpful Tips For, Well, Living Sober!"

I don't believe is was intended as "transition" material, it's just "further reading".

laurie6781 · 08-28-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

I pick up used copies when I can find 'em cheap and give them to the newcomers who stick around awhile. Not as a replacement for the BB and 12&12, but in my opinion the book is like "Hints & Helpful Tips For, Well, Living Sober!"

GMTA, lol I too still do this. I found the book extremely helpful in those first months of recovery. I found it to be an easy read especially for someone who was having trouble 'retaining' the information in the BB. My sponsor gave me "Living Sober". It sure helped me to 'stick' around until I was able to start 'digesting' and applying the BB and working the steps.

J M H O

Love and hugs,

Believe808 · 08-28-2009, 11:50 AM

I used "Living Sober" when I was in early recovery, it actually was all I could get my mind to comprehend at the time. As Astro said, I too give it to newcomers simply because of how it helped me in early recovery.

Rob B · 08-28-2009, 12:00 PM

I personally find Living sober to be absolute crap. That's me, if anyone enjoys it and finds it useful, good for you.

Firehazard · 08-28-2009, 06:07 PM

Laurie6781 said it best

. For this alcoholic in recovery "Living sober" saved

my life with the way it shares simple ways to stay away from that first

drink. It's simplicity set's such a good foundation that it is hard to stray from

the messege. Printed in 1975 it states in the beginning that it is not a plan

for recovery but instead outlined some methods we used for living without

drinking. This was a groundbreaking idea for me as I had the fallacious idea

that quitting drinking was the only thing I needed to do differently. I

suggest its easy reading to all newcomers who cross my path. Some of the

old timers have told me it is just a compilation of the tricks of those first

twenty years of sobriety. Secrets freely given.

Tommyh · 08-29-2009, 04:36 AM

in the big book it says I need to re-create or reconstruct my life.The book just gave me ,when I was a newbie,some helpful ideas from accumulated AA experience to help me stay on track untill I could get on my spiritual feet.To reconstruct your whole life is a big task.I believe it also suggests taking the 12 steps

08-28-2009, 09:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
tomvlll Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 543	Question about "Living Sober" Does anybody know the context in which this book was written?

08-28-2009, 10:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
Mark75 Friend of Bill W. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Looking for snow Posts: 5,600	I got the book, and was essentially disappointed... I had learned all that in rehab. For someone just coming in and has no tools to help avoid that first drink, it probably has some useful info... Mark __________________ "Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."....Philo of Alexandria "Your fear of the future is your greatest mistake." .... Stephen Kellogg

08-28-2009, 11:02 AM	#5 (permalink)
FightingIrish problem with authority Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 873	I found the book helpful in early sobriety...I had never read anything by anyone talking about how to get sober before...as in, how to physically, tactically navigate early sobriety. I'm glad it was written. I always laugh (and want to cry) when I hear people says things to the effect of, "Living Sober - pshaw! it's not the Big Book." It's like, ummm, did it ever claim it was the Big Book? It is what it says it is. __________________ "Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

08-28-2009, 06:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
Firehazard SHARING THE LOAD Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 440 Blog Entries: 17	Laurie6781 said it best. For this alcoholic in recovery "Living sober" saved my life with the way it shares simple ways to stay away from that first drink. It's simplicity set's such a good foundation that it is hard to stray from the messege. Printed in 1975 it states in the beginning that it is not a plan for recovery but instead outlined some methods we used for living without drinking. This was a groundbreaking idea for me as I had the fallacious idea that quitting drinking was the only thing I needed to do differently. I suggest its easy reading to all newcomers who cross my path. Some of the old timers have told me it is just a compilation of the tricks of those first twenty years of sobriety. Secrets freely given. __________________ "Your sucess and happiness are forgiven you only if you generously consent to share them"--Albert Camus

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08-28-2009, 09:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tommyh Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: N.C. Posts: 18,391	not excally sure what you mean but I`ll try and figure it out. It was written by Barry L years ago when AA did not have much literature.At the time I hear it was helpful to some alcoholics,as it is today. I believe it was written to provide helpful tips to help others get and stay sober,but not as a program guide to sobriety alone

08-28-2009, 10:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
tomvlll Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: nj Posts: 543	Thanks bballdad. the context of my question is that sometimes it seems like the subtitle should be "AA for people who don't want to work the steps." I was just wondering if the thought process behind the book was that AA wanted to have transition material available for a not-quite-ready newcomer while not scaring them off with all the "God stuff".

08-28-2009, 11:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
Believe808 Miracles Happen Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 9,977	I used "Living Sober" when I was in early recovery, it actually was all I could get my mind to comprehend at the time. As Astro said, I too give it to newcomers simply because of how it helped me in early recovery.

08-28-2009, 12:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rob B Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southern New Hampshire Posts: 747 Blog Entries: 5	I personally find Living sober to be absolute crap. That's me, if anyone enjoys it and finds it useful, good for you.

08-29-2009, 04:36 AM	#11 (permalink)
Tommyh Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: N.C. Posts: 18,391	in the big book it says I need to re-create or reconstruct my life.The book just gave me ,when I was a newbie,some helpful ideas from accumulated AA experience to help me stay on track untill I could get on my spiritual feet.To reconstruct your whole life is a big task.I believe it also suggests taking the 12 steps

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