Books on Recovery, Spirituality & Codependence
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Toronto ONtario
Posts: 80
Dry by Augusten Burroughs is THE book I re-read every time I feel myself at risk of relapse. There is so much I identify with in terms of the drinking/withdrawl experience that speaks to me. It reminds me of the futility of drinking.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Midwest
Posts: 8,334
Finished Diary of an Alcoholic Housewife. I actually had to force myself to put it down at 1 am, so I could finish the last chapter this morning.
"And like my Dad, I want to grab life by the mane and ride it hard - except sober. I used to think alcohol and other drugs were the way to living large. Using them made me fearless, allowed to throw up my arms and scream "Wheee!" until they turned me dull and stupid. I was drinking to escape things that pissed me off, bond with friends, celebrate good news. My anesthetized life was a pathetic shadow of what it is now."
Wow - read that line "until they turned me dull and stupid" over and over. Loved this book so much, I may read it again
"And like my Dad, I want to grab life by the mane and ride it hard - except sober. I used to think alcohol and other drugs were the way to living large. Using them made me fearless, allowed to throw up my arms and scream "Wheee!" until they turned me dull and stupid. I was drinking to escape things that pissed me off, bond with friends, celebrate good news. My anesthetized life was a pathetic shadow of what it is now."
Wow - read that line "until they turned me dull and stupid" over and over. Loved this book so much, I may read it again
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Midwest, USA
Posts: 11
Here, a list of some books that I got something from:
"Alcoholics Anonymous"
"Living Sober"
"John Barleycorn." - Jack London
"Those Drinking Days: Myself and Other Writers." Don Newlove.
"Witness to the Fire: Creativity and the Veil of Addiction." - Linda Shierse Leonard.
"Iceman Cometh" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night" Eugene O'Neill
"Living Sober"
"John Barleycorn." - Jack London
"Those Drinking Days: Myself and Other Writers." Don Newlove.
"Witness to the Fire: Creativity and the Veil of Addiction." - Linda Shierse Leonard.
"Iceman Cometh" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night" Eugene O'Neill
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,036
Originally Posted by Pondlady 
Finished Diary of an Alcoholic Housewife. I actually had to force myself to put it down at 1 am, so I could finish the last chapter this morning.
"And like my Dad, I want to grab life by the mane and ride it hard - except sober. I used to think alcohol and other drugs were the way to living large. Using them made me fearless, allowed to throw up my arms and scream "Wheee!" until they turned me dull and stupid. I was drinking to escape things that pissed me off, bond with friends, celebrate good news. My anesthetized life was a pathetic shadow of what it is now."
Wow - read that line "until they turned me dull and stupid" over and over. Loved this book so much, I may read it again
"And like my Dad, I want to grab life by the mane and ride it hard - except sober. I used to think alcohol and other drugs were the way to living large. Using them made me fearless, allowed to throw up my arms and scream "Wheee!" until they turned me dull and stupid. I was drinking to escape things that pissed me off, bond with friends, celebrate good news. My anesthetized life was a pathetic shadow of what it is now."
Wow - read that line "until they turned me dull and stupid" over and over. Loved this book so much, I may read it again
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,036
Originally Posted by DarrenW
Drinking, A love story is my favorite. Read it one year ago when I quit...and reading it again now.
I just learned the author died 11 years ago from lung cancer.
I just learned the author died 11 years ago from lung cancer.
Its_me_jen
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Salina, Ks
Posts: 8,547
For those of you who are interested in swapping books, I started this group some time ago. It's never really taken off but it should!
How cool would it be to share a book that you feel saved your life and then have the next person share it with someone else ..... passing it on is a good thing!
Here's the link to the group: SoberRecovery Book Swap - Groups - Swap.com
How cool would it be to share a book that you feel saved your life and then have the next person share it with someone else ..... passing it on is a good thing!
Here's the link to the group: SoberRecovery Book Swap - Groups - Swap.com
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 101
"The Brain That Changes Itself" by Norman Doidge, M.D.
I haven't finished reading it but one of the subjects it deals with are addictions and how the brain adapts to bad habits and why.
(Description from Amazon)
An astonishing new science called "neuroplasticity" is overthrowing the centuries-old notion that the human brain is immutable. In this revolutionary look at the brain, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Norman Doidge, M.D., provides an introduction to both the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity and the people whose lives they've transformed. From stroke patients learning to speak again to the remarkable case of a woman born with half a brain that rewired itself to work as a whole, The Brain That Changes Itself will permanently alter the way we look at our brains, human nature, and human potential.
I haven't finished reading it but one of the subjects it deals with are addictions and how the brain adapts to bad habits and why.
(Description from Amazon)
An astonishing new science called "neuroplasticity" is overthrowing the centuries-old notion that the human brain is immutable. In this revolutionary look at the brain, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst Norman Doidge, M.D., provides an introduction to both the brilliant scientists championing neuroplasticity and the people whose lives they've transformed. From stroke patients learning to speak again to the remarkable case of a woman born with half a brain that rewired itself to work as a whole, The Brain That Changes Itself will permanently alter the way we look at our brains, human nature, and human potential.
Sobriety is Traditional
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Orcas Island, Washington
Posts: 9,064
I have been struggling with a lot of AA books lately. The personal stories in the AA "Big Book" are must-read for any newcomer recovering alcoholic.
The AA idea may seem dogmatic and old fashioned, but Narcotics Anonymous offers an updated version of the same program. I highly recommend their book It Works, How and Why: The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Narcotics Anonymous (Narcotics Anonymous World Services, 1993; PO Box 9999, Van Nuys, CA 91409)
The AA idea may seem dogmatic and old fashioned, but Narcotics Anonymous offers an updated version of the same program. I highly recommend their book It Works, How and Why: The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Narcotics Anonymous (Narcotics Anonymous World Services, 1993; PO Box 9999, Van Nuys, CA 91409)
Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Chicago Burbs- Illinois
Posts: 202
I don't think anyone mentioned it but "Courage to Change" by Dennis Wholey had a huge impact on me. Maybe not so useful for someone with a lot of sobriety but what a powerful book when you are drifting around saying "What the hell is wrong with me?".
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
