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[Why You Drink and How to Stop: A Journey to Freedom] [By: Valli, Veronica] [December, 2013]
Actress & NY Times best selling Author Kristen Johnston
"Veronica Valli has written one of the clearest, most fascinating & truly helpful books on addiction I've ever read.
To me, it's up there with 'Clean' by David Sheff, except from the viewpoint of someone who's in long term recovery.
Whether you're struggling now & need help, have struggled in the past, or you've ever loved an addict, this book pierces through the confusing and terrifying misinformation that surrounds this disease.
From the first page to the last, I was completely enthralled by this brilliantly researched, refreshingly straightforward & delightfully compelling book."
This book does exactly what the title promises.
Why some people drink destructively has puzzled many people for a long time. Why do you wake up promising yourself you will never do it again, but doing it over and over? Or why does your loved one continue to self-destruct, even if they promise to stop? If you are a problem drinker or love someone who is – then this book is for you.
Written by an addictions therapist and recovered alcoholic, Why You Drink and How to Stop peers into the darkness of alcoholism and lays out the reasons that alcoholics drink the way they do.
Based on her years of experience working with addicts and alcoholics and her own personal struggle with alcoholism, Veronica explores how alcoholics think, feel and react differently to the world, and shows how these are the engines that drive someone to destructive drinking.
In three comprehensive sections she explores how alcoholism is the symptom of a spiritual illness, and then goes on to lay out the solution.
This book is a must for anyone who has despaired over their own or anyone else’s drinking.
You will read this book with a growing clarity that leads to hope. You will put it down knowing there is a solution.
"Veronica Valli has written one of the clearest, most fascinating & truly helpful books on addiction I've ever read.
To me, it's up there with 'Clean' by David Sheff, except from the viewpoint of someone who's in long term recovery.
Whether you're struggling now & need help, have struggled in the past, or you've ever loved an addict, this book pierces through the confusing and terrifying misinformation that surrounds this disease.
From the first page to the last, I was completely enthralled by this brilliantly researched, refreshingly straightforward & delightfully compelling book."
This book does exactly what the title promises.
Why some people drink destructively has puzzled many people for a long time. Why do you wake up promising yourself you will never do it again, but doing it over and over? Or why does your loved one continue to self-destruct, even if they promise to stop? If you are a problem drinker or love someone who is – then this book is for you.
Written by an addictions therapist and recovered alcoholic, Why You Drink and How to Stop peers into the darkness of alcoholism and lays out the reasons that alcoholics drink the way they do.
Based on her years of experience working with addicts and alcoholics and her own personal struggle with alcoholism, Veronica explores how alcoholics think, feel and react differently to the world, and shows how these are the engines that drive someone to destructive drinking.
In three comprehensive sections she explores how alcoholism is the symptom of a spiritual illness, and then goes on to lay out the solution.
This book is a must for anyone who has despaired over their own or anyone else’s drinking.
You will read this book with a growing clarity that leads to hope. You will put it down knowing there is a solution.
Paperback
First published August 10, 2013
71 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Veronica Valli
4 books12 followersVeronica has worked as a therapist and life coach specialising in addiction for over ten years; her experience includes working with young people in the criminal justice system, primary care adult treatment, outreach services and private practice.
Veronica has also worked in local government, delivering local drug and alcohol strategies.
As a recovered alcoholic and drug addict, she has personal experience of what it takes to recover from an addiction. Veronica struggled with alcoholism through most of her twenties.
As a binge drinker, she was aware for some time that something was wrong but was unable to define what it was; a chance meeting led to her finally getting help and turning her life around.
At the height of her addiction, Veronica was unable to go to work without the aid of a drink; her life and confidence were in tatters. She got sober in 2000 at the age of twenty-seven.
She now uses this experience to help and inspire others. She fully believes that all alcoholics and addicts can recover if they have access to the right kind of help, and that they can then go on to live life to the full.
She is committed to educating and informing the public on problem drinking and addiction and has appeared regularly on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire as a specialist guest.
She has also appeared on the Lorraine Kelly show on ITV, and an ITV programme entitled The Truth About Binge Drinking; she has also appeared in national magazines and publications, discussing recovery from alcoholism.
Veronica is married with two young sons and is currently working in private practice.
Veronica has also worked in local government, delivering local drug and alcohol strategies.
As a recovered alcoholic and drug addict, she has personal experience of what it takes to recover from an addiction. Veronica struggled with alcoholism through most of her twenties.
As a binge drinker, she was aware for some time that something was wrong but was unable to define what it was; a chance meeting led to her finally getting help and turning her life around.
At the height of her addiction, Veronica was unable to go to work without the aid of a drink; her life and confidence were in tatters. She got sober in 2000 at the age of twenty-seven.
She now uses this experience to help and inspire others. She fully believes that all alcoholics and addicts can recover if they have access to the right kind of help, and that they can then go on to live life to the full.
She is committed to educating and informing the public on problem drinking and addiction and has appeared regularly on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire as a specialist guest.
She has also appeared on the Lorraine Kelly show on ITV, and an ITV programme entitled The Truth About Binge Drinking; she has also appeared in national magazines and publications, discussing recovery from alcoholism.
Veronica is married with two young sons and is currently working in private practice.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 14, 2021
Very useful. This book was short, but informative. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling with alcohol and looking to control their intake. I choose this rating because I value he author’s knowledge and experience of this subject. Thank to Veronica for sharing this book with so many! Make the time to read this book so that you can change the negative habits that you have picked up due to your possible trauma
This book was short, but informative. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling with alcohol and looking to control their intake. I choose this rating because I value he author’s knowledge and experience of this subject. Thank to Veronica for sharing this book with so many!
This book was short, but informative. I would recommend this book to anyone struggling with alcohol and looking to control their intake. I choose this rating because I value he author’s knowledge and experience of this subject. Thank to Veronica for sharing this book with so many!
September 14, 2024
Recovery is tough
This book comes from a perspective of a clinician and a participant. I love it. The anecdotes, wisdom, hard truths, and encouraging quotes help anyone who is need of extra tools in their box of recovery. I kept highlighting information and I will have to catalogue all this so my brain does not forget. Good for this in alcoholism, recovering from alcoholism, and helping a loved one who is struggling. There is hope.
This book comes from a perspective of a clinician and a participant. I love it. The anecdotes, wisdom, hard truths, and encouraging quotes help anyone who is need of extra tools in their box of recovery. I kept highlighting information and I will have to catalogue all this so my brain does not forget. Good for this in alcoholism, recovering from alcoholism, and helping a loved one who is struggling. There is hope.
January 3, 2017
Great book. Really in tune with how an alcoholic thinks and feels. Great tips and advice. Highly recommend this book to anybody who wants to get off the alcoholic Rollercoaster.
May 3, 2020
Great overview of the essentials of recovery. Very comprehensive, recommend for anyone on the journey of recovery.
October 10, 2023
3.75 stars
May 3, 2014
I read this book in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. I wanted to read the book because my family has a lot of drunks and alcoholics, who have no desire to stop drinking. I have seen my daddy and sister start drinking brandy at 8 am. my daddy, when he was temporarily living here, went through a bottle of brandy daily. Not the little bottle, but the humongous bottle.
For the review, I am focusing on summarizing the first few chapters.
First, the author defined alcoholism in three phases: physical addiction; psychological craving and obsession; and spiritual illness. Alcoholics have a dependence on alcohol. Alcoholics also develop a tolerance to alcohol. Next, alcoholics use alcohol to numb pain and cope with emotions.
This sounded similar to when I was having sex. I wanted sex. I craved sex. I used people to get sex. I would get upset when I could not have sex. I used sex to numb pain and cope with my emotions. I was a mess on the inside. I became somewhat of an addict--a functioning addict because I still went to work and school.
Valli went on to discuss types of drinking behavior, such as heavy and binge. With the birthday party, I mentioned, I guess I was binge drinking, even though I had little to drink, but I was drinking hard liquor. My memories was hazy and I had to ask someone else about what I did that night.
Chapter 2 focused on the problem. Why does someone go from being a non-alcoholic to an alcoholic. For example, someone may be unhappy with their life and starts drinking. They may be emotionally immature. Each person has their own triggers, which causes them to start drinking and then move into alcoholism.
Chapter 3 focused on what drives people to drink. Valli discussed 3 reasons: fear, denial, and emotional unmanageability. Fear can cause people to do unhealthy things, such as drinking, doing drugs, having sex, and overeating. Next, denial is when we lie to ourselves. Forms of denial include hostility and rationalization. Finally, Valli discusses emotional unmanageability, "which causes us to For example, alcoholics may not can manage our finances or driving.
I liked reading the book. Valli speaks about alcoholism from a personal and professional perspective.
For the review, I am focusing on summarizing the first few chapters.
First, the author defined alcoholism in three phases: physical addiction; psychological craving and obsession; and spiritual illness. Alcoholics have a dependence on alcohol. Alcoholics also develop a tolerance to alcohol. Next, alcoholics use alcohol to numb pain and cope with emotions.
This sounded similar to when I was having sex. I wanted sex. I craved sex. I used people to get sex. I would get upset when I could not have sex. I used sex to numb pain and cope with my emotions. I was a mess on the inside. I became somewhat of an addict--a functioning addict because I still went to work and school.
Valli went on to discuss types of drinking behavior, such as heavy and binge. With the birthday party, I mentioned, I guess I was binge drinking, even though I had little to drink, but I was drinking hard liquor. My memories was hazy and I had to ask someone else about what I did that night.
Chapter 2 focused on the problem. Why does someone go from being a non-alcoholic to an alcoholic. For example, someone may be unhappy with their life and starts drinking. They may be emotionally immature. Each person has their own triggers, which causes them to start drinking and then move into alcoholism.
Chapter 3 focused on what drives people to drink. Valli discussed 3 reasons: fear, denial, and emotional unmanageability. Fear can cause people to do unhealthy things, such as drinking, doing drugs, having sex, and overeating. Next, denial is when we lie to ourselves. Forms of denial include hostility and rationalization. Finally, Valli discusses emotional unmanageability, "which causes us to For example, alcoholics may not can manage our finances or driving.
I liked reading the book. Valli speaks about alcoholism from a personal and professional perspective.
August 11, 2016
Alcoholism can be found in many different households across the globe and in general is an awful and costly blight to society. A terrible habit that tends to inflict both rich and poor, young and old. Getting out of its destructive emotional and physical clutches is a difficult path for anyone afflicted with the problems it creates. There are organizations (such as A.A.) and many health professionals/councilors that do exist for the purpose of weaning the individual from its deadly grasp. But the Alcoholic must strongly want the help by first and foremost realizing that they do have a problem and then wholeheartedly seeking the means to overcome it. For the most part there are also many self-help books on the market that deal with the problems associated with Alcoholism and how to get back your life without the need to insanely indulge any further in the harmful liquid.
Luckily I never had this problem in my life, though I know of a few people who can't seem to get through the day without being constantly drunk. No matter what concerned friends and family tell them they still refuse to see their consistent drunkenness as the root of their woes and troubles. One really close friend died due to his body eventually failing in no small part to decades of continual and steady alcohol consumption. Up to the day he died he still refused to admit he had a major drinking problem...
Why You Drink And How To Stop is an informative volume written by someone who has been there at the bottom thanks to alcohol. Many tips and testimonies are enclosed within its pages. Even if you are not the one who is plagued by Alcoholism the insight is quite helpful in possibly assisting others you may know that could stand to finally become sober because their life is in complete turmoil and the need to become 'clean' is very much an issue to their wellness.
Luckily I never had this problem in my life, though I know of a few people who can't seem to get through the day without being constantly drunk. No matter what concerned friends and family tell them they still refuse to see their consistent drunkenness as the root of their woes and troubles. One really close friend died due to his body eventually failing in no small part to decades of continual and steady alcohol consumption. Up to the day he died he still refused to admit he had a major drinking problem...
Why You Drink And How To Stop is an informative volume written by someone who has been there at the bottom thanks to alcohol. Many tips and testimonies are enclosed within its pages. Even if you are not the one who is plagued by Alcoholism the insight is quite helpful in possibly assisting others you may know that could stand to finally become sober because their life is in complete turmoil and the need to become 'clean' is very much an issue to their wellness.
February 27, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. My father was a severe alcoholic who struggled with the addiction until he chose to end his life nearly five years ago. After his death, I too found myself struggling with addiction. The root of the addiction comes from just wanting to "feel better." I didn't want to deal with his death. I didn't want to deal with a broken romantic relationship. I didn't want to deal with anybody. I isolated myself and became a binge drinker. Alone. I did this because I didn't want anyone to ever find me out. I was ashamed, scared, and looking for any possible way to make it go away. As much as I tried to hide it, people knew. People always know.
This book helped me to realize that it is okay for people to know. You don't need to go out of your way to let others know unless YOU want to. Many things that I read in this book, I have read before. You must pick up the book and practice what it says. Its more than just reading it. You must LIVE it.
This book helped me to realize that it is okay for people to know. You don't need to go out of your way to let others know unless YOU want to. Many things that I read in this book, I have read before. You must pick up the book and practice what it says. Its more than just reading it. You must LIVE it.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews