The Forgive for Good Recovery Workbook: Overcome Addiction, Heal Your Past, and Find Peace in Sobriety

by Fred Luskin, Lyndon Harris, Herb Kaighan (foreword)

Essential skills and strategies for lasting recovery—based on groundbreaking research from the Stanford University Forgiveness Project.

If you struggle with substance use, you’re far from alone. Studies show that alcohol and drug addiction has reached epidemic levels. If you’ve tried traditional treatments—only to relapse—perhaps it’s time for a new approach. This workbook will help you heal the underlying drivers of substance abuse and empower your long-term recovery.

Grounded in decades of research and written by a team of Stanford University mental health researchers and psychologists, this evidence-based workbook offers a proven-effective method for lasting recovery from drug and alcohol abuse—forgiveness. Through the practice of forgiveness—both toward yourself and others who may have contributed to past traumas—you’ll learn to heal the pain at the root of your addiction and look toward the future with renewed hope and optimism.

In order to truly heal from addiction, you must first heal the emotional pain and trauma that drive your substance use. By forgiving yourself and others for past mistakes or offenses, you’ll feel less burdened and more open to life’s possibilities. You’ll also gain the clarity needed to truly beat your addiction and thrive.

If you’re ready to begin your journey toward lasting recovery, let this be your road map.

184 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2025

About the author

In the Forgive for Good workshop and class series Dr. Frederic Luskin presents the forgiveness training methodology that has been validated through six successful research studies conducted through the Stanford Forgiveness Projects.

Prior to the current surge in research interest the importance of practicing forgiveness was extolled in both religious and psychological traditions. Recently, Dr. Luskin’s and other’s research has confirmed its virtues in the promotion of psychological, relationship and physical health. Forgiveness has been shown to reduce anger, hurt, depression and stress and lead to greater feelings of optimism, hope, compassion and self confidence.

Dr. Luskin’s work combines lecture with a hands-on approach to the ancient tradition of forgiveness. Participants explore forgiveness with the goal of reducing hurt and helplessness, letting go of anger and increasing confidence and hope as they learn how to release unwanted hurts and grudges. His presentations explore the HEAL process of forgiveness that, when learned, can lead to enhanced well-being through self-care. In class practice may include guided imagery, journal writing and discussion all presented in a safe and nurturing environment. Dr. Luskin holds a Ph.D. in Counseling and Health Psychology from Stanford University.

Dr. Luskin continues to serve as Director of the Stanford Forgiveness Projects, an ongoing series of workshops and research projects that investigate the effectiveness of his forgiveness methods on a variety of populations. The forgiveness project has successfully explored forgiveness therapy with people who suffered from the violence in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone as well as the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11. In addition his work has been successfully applied and researched in corporate, medical, legal and religious settings. He currently serves as a Senior Consultant in Health Promotion at Stanford University and is a Professor at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. He presents lectures, workshops, seminars and trainings on the importance, health benefits and training of forgiveness, stress management and emotional competence throughout the United States. He offers presentations and classes that range from one hour to ongoing weekly trainings.

Reviews

[John Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I attended my first 12-Step group in 1982. I was struck how stories of fear, loss, resentment, regret and shame dominated the meeting. The group did not know what to do and where to go with the powerful emotions they felt. Over the years and through many other 12-Step meetings (AA, NA and Al-Anon) there was much repetition of these emotions. More than once, I heard someone ask about materials that would compliment the 12-Steps in the path to recovery and finding serenity in life.
As I read through “The Forgive for Good Recovery Workbook”, I found a resource that offered such a compliment. Frederic Luskin and Lyndon Harris have put together a very accessible and practical piece that has a lovely balance of good research and powerful narrative. It can be used effectively by an individual, with a sponsor or even as a stimulating guide for group discussion at dinner before a homegroup.
There is so much to chew on in this guide. The chapter on “The Healing Balm of Gratitude” spoke to me in a powerful way. It strikes me that one outcome of practicing gratitude is hope. I find myself needing more and more hope these days!
Thank you, Dr. Luskin and Reverend Harris, for your good stewardship and ministry in crafting this workbook. I think you have been faithful to your calling.
John Arnold, PhD

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I don’t personally struggle with addiction or substance use, I teach several courses on psychopathology and related topics, and having diverse resources is key. This isn’t a workbook I would have naturally had in my own toolkit, but I’m really glad to add it to my collection—it’s always important to provide students with a variety of materials.
What I love about this workbook is how well-structured and accessible it is. It breaks things down into different types of activities, making the concepts easy to follow and engage with. There’s a lot of great information packed in, and I can see this being a valuable tool for students looking to deepen their understanding of forgiveness. I believe this book can help those struggling with substance use and their family members who have faced similar challenges. Many of the worksheets may also benefit them.
The Standford forgiveness project is an amazing project, and this workbook covers it very well!
I was so happy to come across this workbook on forgiveness! Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

[Dr. Shani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a licensed clinical psychologist for the past 23 years and have rarely seen such a practical and insightful approach to dealing with addiction. This is a great followup to Dr. Luskin's other groundbreaking books on forgiveness and continues to establish him as a world authority on the topic. It is also clear that he practices it himself. Although this significant workbook is primarily focused on the application of forgiveness to reducing addiction, Dr. Luskin sneaks in considerable wisdom in his examples and exercises. For example, incorporating the practice of gratitude as an additional skill towards reducing addiction both directly and indirectly through anger and stress reduction. Unlike other self help books, Dr. Luskin's approach is obviously based in empirical psychological science. I highly recommend this book to all clinicians, especially those working with addiction!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The questions of whether to forgive and if so, how, are often at the heart of healing from trauma. Forgiveness is something deeply personal, and even though it's not necessary for healing, it's something many want to strive for.

While this book focuses on addictions and uses language from the 12 Steps, it can also be helpful for people who are not in recovery but want guidance on how to forgive. There are various activities and exercises that help readers find their path to forgiveness. Through slight modifications, all of the activities--in my opinion--can work for those looking to forgive something big or small, to forgive others or oneself, and through recovery from addiction or not.

If you've ever wanted clear steps to take to forgive, this workbook may be the one for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC! All opinions are my own.

[Jamie Roberson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful for recovery for harms beyond substance abuse. Kind and thoughtful guidance to help achieve forgiveness.