Sasha4

Dear SR family

My mind now tortures me 24 hours a day.
Even when I am sleep.
It tortures me over things I did non the past.
Most were embarrassing things at work.

I cannot carry on like this.
It's making me ill.
Please can anyone suggest the best book I could read to help me stop doing this.

Many thanks

jr67

Hello Sasha.

Wow. A tall order. There's a world of books out there, of course, so a world of possibilities for how to respond to your post.

(And I have a work tele call scheduled in 10 minutes, so not much time to elaborate, but I want to respond somehow to your cri de coeur, so here goes):

I just happen to have mindfulness meditation on the brain, as I just came from posting something along m.m. lines in the Weekender thread.

So my book suggestion is for one on that practice. There are many. The one that I found years ago that introduced me fully to the practice, and the one (among others) that I continue to go back to for refreshers on the theory and the daily carrying-on of the practice, is "Full Catastrophe Living," by Jon Kabat-Zinn.

Aellyce

Do you want distraction or learning? If distraction, I would maybe read any fiction or non-fiction topic that you find interesting and engaging but does not give you more anxiety. If learning, maybe read about the psychology of rumination, intrusive thoughts, guilt, shame etc and how to consciously regulate the mind better - there is so much out there, I would just google.

Awake61

I read this every morning first thing. Then I just sit quietly and breathe. Not alway easy, but I have made it a pattern in my brain adjustment. Tao Te Ching (the way of life).

Abraham

We have this section also. https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/book-club/ Just sayin. Not trying to be rude or anything. I usually am reading non fiction stuff like text books so I wont bore you.

biminiblue

Obsessive thoughts are something I had to learn to manage, too.

For me it's a multi-pronged approach, not just reading. I did read quite a few targeted self-help books and websites, but you'll have to do your own search for those.

There are other things though: eating a well-balanced nutritious diet with low added sugar and low caffeine. Caffeine and sugar both lead to an over-active brain.

Exercise. Every day for an hour.
Drink enough water.
Get eight hours of sleep every day.
Connect with someone, either here or in real life.

As far as reading, may I recommend the New Testament?

Anna

I also struggled a lot with obsessive thoughts about my many mistakes. These books helped me a lot to manage and to live a more peaceful life:

Amen, Daniel Change Your Brain, Change Your Life
Bassett, Lucinda From Panic to Power
Burns, David MD When Panic Attacks
Chodron, Pema The Places that Scare You
Doidge, Norman MD The Brain that Changes Itself
Dyer, Wayne Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life
Orsilla, Ken Mindful Way Through Anxiety

Derringer

The book Alcoholics Anonymous laid out a recovery process 80 odd years ago.

Its not just about stopping drinking ... alcohol is mentioned in the first step and then not again after that.

My only experience is that ... a spiritual solution.

Worked for me and has worked for millions over the last 80 years. 👍

nez

Wherever You Go there You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh

Sasha4

Yes I read it every new year I celebrate sobriety. I've read it 8 times for 8 years thanks.

Sasha4

I thought there was one highly recommended for things like this.

Is it by Eckhardt someone or other?

I just wanted to check it is the right one before I order it.
I've very little money left since my job folded.

It's me and my 10 year old daughter so things are very tight.

Thanks all

taplow

I would say to read anything by Krishnamurti.

nez

While it is a good possibility that the library is closed during these times, many have a program called E books and you can borrow these online.

Tetrax

Maybe The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle? I've not read it but hear it mentioned a fair bit. Not necessarily in recovery forums though, so not sure how much use it is for help in actually getting off booze.

Cityboy

When I first found SR in January and began reading and posting, I was amazed to find that so many people who had developed a dependency on alcohol had so much trouble with past regrets, just like me. Things I did while drinking of course, but also things that were not a result of drinking. They reinforced the notion of numbness, and then the drinking lead to more things to regret. The cycle is broken now, but I still sometimes get hammered with thoughts of regrets from the past. They usually pass, come and go, but aren't as bad as before.

As for books, I read a lot but mostly they are history oriented.

Are you mostly looking for something specific to the topic of dealing with regrets, or any other subjects in particular?

Anna

Can you make use of the Public Library in your area? I use the online service and reserve ebooks which are then sent to my phone. You can also reserve audio books if you prefer those.

Also, if you are interested in Eckhart Tolle, he has tons of videos on Youtube, as does Wayne Dyer, who is fantastic.

The Untethered Soul (Audio Book) by Michael A. Singer is available for free, in full, on Youtube and it's excellent.

Sasha4

Thanks
I am off booze as you put it.
Ive been off booze for 8 years.
Yes I think thats the book I was thinking of.

Sasha4

My thoughts are horrific.
I can never see myself forgetting what I torture myself about.
I can still see me carrying on until I'm 80 like this.
I really hate myself and I cannot continue feeling this way.
It ruins everything.

Anna

You could look on Youtube for Guided Meditations and you will find a huge number to choose from. They can help you to clear your mind and release your unwanted thoughts.

kk1k5x

I don't know if it includes any books you're looking for, but there was news today that Internet Archive made millions of books available for free due to the virus - https://archive.org/details/nationalemergencylibrary

Maybe you can find something to distract yourself with without having to pay (you said money was tight)? I hope this can be of some help to you