While this book is considered by some to be the ultimate “brain science 101,” Dr. Erickson does not have personal experience with addiction (unlike some of the other experts on this list). Dr. Erickson also applies an expert pharmacological lens to understanding the unique ways in which Substance abuse the brain and central nervous system respond to different types of substances. As the first book on this list shows, addiction doesn’t necessarily involve alcohol or drugs. And the protagonist of Nolan’s novel is no less ensnared in dependency than a junkie fiending for a fix—except her addiction is to the love of a toxic man. A sobriety-themed book club provides both education on the topic and a supportive community. Discussing experiences with peers can offer fresh perspectives and much-needed understanding.
Look for books that align with your stage of recovery or the information you seek. Finding a book that best meets your needs can also be aided by reviewing it and book summaries. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile.
Lit Up: One Reporter. Three Schools. Twenty-four Books That Can Change Lives
- Her book also sheds light on the reasons why the GLP-1 drugs might offer new hope for those struggling with addiction.
- Liptrot’s evocative writing and vivid descriptions make The Outrun a compelling and insightful read, offering a unique perspective on the challenges of addiction and the healing power of nature.
- They can foster empathy, compassion, and awareness in readers not directly struggling with alcoholism.
- As she progressed on her recovery journey, she discovered the opposite — she was the lucky one.
Since mainstream recovery culture preaches an implicit ethic of self-denial, I found that it was important to find fresh sources for resurrecting my own positive sense of self. I picked up this book because I knew that Tony Robbins was a mega-successful self-help guru, which led me to believe that he had to be a con man of sorts. The first 100 pages blew my mind and I found myself getting excited to read another chapter of this book every night before going to sleep.
Best Books About Addiction
Take control of your drinking—on your terms.Alcohol and You is a comprehensive guide designed to help you better understand your relationship with alcohol and find practical solutions that work for you. The tension between on the wagon/off the wagon is often good fodder for literature. Early sobriety forces, like giving birth, a quick and complete break with a former life in order to make way for a new, sometimes ambiguously desired one.
Drinking: A Love Story
After several readings I’m still at a loss to pin down how Johnson succeeds in being so transcendently gritty, so brutally compassionate. The Legend of the Holy Drinker is the last novel by the great Austrian author Joseph Roth, written while he was dying of the effects of alcoholism and published posthumously. It’s a short, dreamlike fable about an alcoholic vagabond in 1930s Paris. The beautifully wrought story manages to be both joyous and life affirming, even as the author (and protagonist) face the end of life. Every profound journey presents its set of challenges, and a journey to sobriety is no different.
The Sober Diaries: How One Woman Stopped Drinking and Started Living
Walls recounts her experiences growing up in a dysfunctional family with deeply flawed parents who struggle with alcoholism and erratic behavior. The book delves into the complexities of family dynamics, resilience, and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity. With unflinching honesty, Walls shares the challenges and moments of love and tenderness that characterized her unconventional childhood. Another highly regarded book is “The Naked Mind” by Annie Grace, which takes a unique approach by addressing the psychological and behavioral aspects of alcohol dependence.
This critique is set against the backdrop of a society that often stigmatizes sobriety, portraying it as a sign of weakness or a lack of fun. In a society where drinking is often glamorized and romanticized, especially for women, Holly Whitaker’s New York Times bestseller, Quit Like a Woman, stands out as a refreshing, revolutionary perspective. Challenging deeply ingrained societal norms surrounding alcohol and femininity, Whitaker questions the status quo, prompting us to reconsider the narratives we’ve books about alcoholism been taught. What are some great books about sobriety, or books about alcoholism? The following ten books might just provide the nudge you need to forge a clearer, brighter path.
In today’s digital age, our worldview is heavily influenced by social media. Unfortunately, these platforms often glamorize alcohol, portraying it as synonymous with fun, relaxation, or sophistication. Such portrayals can be triggering for those of us seeking sobriety.
I started reading addiction memoirs in college, well before I admitted to having an alcohol use disorder. I chose Atlas of the Heart because it touches on the important theme of second chances. This book provides language for sharing our most heartbreaking moments as a way to connect.
Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood
If you’ve ever wondered whether you or a loved one should change your relationship with alcohol, Sarah Rusbatch’s book Beyond Booze is a must-read. As an Addiction Psychiatrist, I thought I had a pretty complete understanding of alcohol’s long-term effects on the body until I read Sarah’s book. Backed by objective scientific research, Sarah summarizes new evidence showing just how toxic and carcinogenic alcohol is in any quantity. Regardless of whether alcohol is causing you any current life impairments, her sobering statistics will cause you to re-examine your current relationship with alcohol.