Overcoming addiction can sometimes feel like a long and lonely journey. Group, as well as individual therapy, can go a long way toward helping you feel less alone. Sharing stories and struggles with others who are going through the same ups and downs of recovery is a vital part of the process.
While there is no replacement for a comprehensive and in-depth treatment program, reading stories from people who have also struggled with addiction can help you feel less alone. They can also be helpful for friends and family members of folks who are on the path to recovery. Below, you’ll find a list of the 7 best books on addiction recovery to read now.
Being Sober: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting To, Getting Through, and Living in Recovery by Dr. Harry Haroutunian
Author Dr. Harry Haroutunian once worked as the physician director at the famed Betty Ford clinic, where he treated hundreds if not thousands of recovering addicts. After his experiences at the clinic, he decided to put pen to paper in an effort to help those who are in recovery as well as the people closest to them.
Dr. Haroutunian takes a “one day at a time” approach to treating addiction, which can be really helpful for those who struggle to imagine themselves sober. His book outlines the different stages of addiction and recovery while focusing on the freedom you can gain from living a life without substance abuse.
A recovering alcoholic himself, Dr. Haroutunian writes in a way that’s approachable and free from judgment. He also offers a proven path to sobriety and ways to ask for help when you need it.
Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America by Beth Macy
If you or a loved one looking to support you is curious about how the opioid epidemic took America by storm beginning in the 1990s, opt for this title by Beth Macy. Now a TV series, Dope Sick examines the opioid crisis from top to bottom and shows how the pharmaceutical industry convinced doctors that opioid pain killers weren’t addictive.
The book includes Macy’s take on the crisis as well as first-hand accounts from former addicts, their families, doctors, and EMTs who know firsthand the damages of opioid addiction. It’s a great insight into how the opioid crisis became possible, which can be helpful for those in recovery who are still struggling to figure out how things in their own lives got so out of hand.
The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober: Discovering A Happy, Healthy, Wealthy Alcohol-Free Life by Catherine Gray
Author Catherine Gray shares her journey to sobriety as well as what happened after she decided to quit drinking for good. You’ll learn what led Gray to get sober as well as her experiences with sobriety. She writes with wit and the book is a real page-turner. If you’re more interested in diving into the personal story of someone struggling with addiction, The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober is your best bet.
Gray also discusses how and why binge drinking has become so normalized in the US, and she spoke with neuroscientists and psychologists about what drives people to drink as well. She also touches on the damage that alcohol does to our bodies and minds. Her personal stories, plus the science to support her ideas, make this one of the best books on addiction recovery.
Recovery: Freedom From Our Addictions by Russel Brand
Actor and comedian Russel Brand has been sober for more than 14 years. If you’re an actor, artist, or writer, you may struggle to imagine your creative life without drugs or alcohol. Brand is here to break the stigma that rock ‘n roll and creativity are all about substance abuse. He shares his own story as proof that you can be artistic and sober.
Recovery is filled with personal anecdotes as well as advice and tools that helped him become free from his crack cocaine and alcohol addictions. In the years since he has recovered, he’s even created a men’s recovery group of his own with the aim of helping other addicts. His writing is funny, smart, and engaging, making Recovery a must-read for all recovering addicts.
Rewired: A Bold New Approach to Addiction and Recovery by Erica Spiegelman
As the title suggested, Rewired takes a new approach to addiction and getting sober. Author Erica Spiegelman focuses on the power of self-actualization or, the complete realization of one’s potential, abilities, and appreciation of life, in terms of addiction recovery. The book hopes to guide readers to full sobriety: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Rewired speaks on recovery in holistic terms and offers advice through the use of personal anecdotes (Spiegelman struggled with addiction herself), success stories, and affirmation and intentions that will guide and motivate you.
The Big Fix: Hope After Heroin by Tracey Helton
Author Tracey Helton lived on the streets in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District as a heroin addict for years. She shares her story of reclaiming her life from her heroin addiction and how she went from being a homeless addict to a stable mother of three.
The Big Fix is an excellent read for other women who struggle with addiction. Helton touches on the powerful relationship between substance abuse and prostitution, and she shares her own personal stories as a way to encourage recovery. Helton had to build her life up from nothing, and her story serves as an inspiration for addicts who believe there is no way out.
Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction by David Sheff
If you’re a parent with a child who struggles with substance abuse, Beautiful Boy will help you feel less alone. It’s also a good read for addicts themselves, for it shows the devastating effect addiction can have on the people they love the most.
Sheff traces the story of his son Nic’s addiction from the early days to the moment when he realized that his child needed help. He also shares what he and his family did in an attempt to support him throughout the recovery process. Nic does succeed in getting help, and his story can serve as inspiration for those struggling with substance abuse as well as for their families.
There is great power and value in using group therapy to treat substance abuse and addiction. The shared human experience of a collective creates an opportunity to learn empathy and compassion for others. Your healing is magnified by the experiences and inspiration of listening and healing along with other human beings. At Promising Outlook, we focus on group therapy because we know that healing collectively is healing powerfully. We offer learning and therapy in a group environment in addition to your individual therapy plan because we know that not only can you benefit from others, but your experience is also important in the healing of others. Call us at (951) 783-2487 today to learn more about collective and individual healing. Find your voice by listening to others. Share your experiences so others can learn from you. Empower your recovery with therapy that opens your heart and mind to help you become a better person.