How are you filling your free time? What do you do when you are not at work or at a meeting. Hopefully, if you are socializing it is with others working a program of recovery. Rather than friends from your past. Perhaps you have a hobby. Maybe you are part of a book club. Are you reading anything right now? Other than your Big Book and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, of course. Hint, Hint.
While you can never open your Big Book too much, there are times when you will want to branch out and utilize other materials relevant to recovery. There are, in fact, several great books that have helped countless people better understand their own addiction…and learn ways to maximize their potential in recovery. There are number of memoirs written by people in recovery who have relapsed, perhaps you can learn from the author’s program mishaps. Really, there is no shortage of great recovery related reading material, for both people in recovery and their friends and family.
A few weeks ago, we mentioned a new book about alcohol, alcoholism and the birth of recovery in America. Perhaps some of you went out and purchased the book, or downloaded it on your Kindle. Maybe it wasn’t your cup of tea. No worries, there are several books that might pique your interests.
Reading In Recovery
When you have finished your program reading for the day or week, it might be a good idea to turn the page. Listed below are some recommendations that you may find enjoyable. All of which pertain to recovery, but some are more specific to certain people.
Beautiful Boy by David Sheff: This is a book that comes up often among people who have a child battling addiction or people who want to get some insight on how their disease affects the family. David Sheff gives an account of his son Nic’s battle with drugs and alcohol. As well as the lengths David went to help his son find recovery.
Loving Our Addicted Daughters Back to Life: A Guidebook for Parents by Linda Dahl: A more recent publication geared towards the parents with daughters struggling addiction. A “go-to manual for parents seeking direction to help their daughters.”
Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff: A book that gives the flip-side of addiction in the family. Written by an addict trying to find a way out of the darkness of addiction into the light of recovery. Relapse was part of Nic’s story, demanding that he return to treatment again which he writes about what happens next in his second book We All Fall Down. In his second book, “Nic voices a truth that many addicts understand: not every treatment works for every addict. By candidly revealing his own failures and small personal triumphs, he inspires young people to maintain hope and to remember that they are not alone in their battles.”
Dry by Augusten Burroughs: In this memoir, the author of Running With Scissors gives an account of his battle with alcoholism. He writes about his intervention, treatment and helping another alcoholic friend find recovery.
“Think of your head as an unsafe neighborhood; don’t go there alone.” ― Augusten Burroughs, Dry
Addiction Recovery
Hopefully, you will have some time this summer to consider the reads above. You never know what you might get out of them. If you came across this post, there is a chance you were looking for the ideal place to begin the journey of recovery. If so, look no further. Hope by The Sea can help you stem the tide of active addiction and teach you how living a life in recovery is possible. Please contact us today.
