The Recovery Book: Answers to All Your Questions About Addiction and Alcoholism and Finding Health and Happiness in Sobriety

by Al J. Mooney, Catherine Dold, Howard Eisenberg

 “A classic. Read it. Use it. It can help guide you step by step into the bright light of the world of recovery.” —from the Foreword by Harry Haroutunian, M.D., Physician Director, Betty Ford Center   “The Recovery Book is the Bible of recovery. Everything you need to know you will find in here.” —Neil Scott, host, Recovery Coast to Coast radio  Hope, support, and a clear road map for people with drug or alcohol addiction. Announcing a completely revised and updated second edition of The Recovery Book, the Bible of addiction recovery. The Recovery Book provides a direct and easy-to-follow road map to every step in the recovery process, from the momentous decision to quit to the emotional, physical, and spiritual issues that arise along the way. Its comprehensive and effective advice speaks to people with addiction, their loved ones, and addiction professionals who need a proven, trusted resource and a supportive voice. This new edition features the revolutionary Recovery Zone System, which divides a life in recovery into three chronological zones and provides guidance on exactly what to do in each zone. First is the Red Zone, where the reader is encouraged to stop everything, activate their recovery and save their life. Next is the Yellow Zone, where the reader can begin to rebuild a life that was torn apart by addiction. Finally, the reader reaches the Green Zone, where they can enjoy a life of recovery and help others. And the Recovery Zone ReCheck is a simple and effective relapse prevention tool.  The Recovery Zone System works hand-in-hand with the 12-step philosophy and all other recovery methods.The Recovery Book covers new knowledge about addiction mechanisms and neuroplasticity, explaining how alcohol and drugs alter the brain. The authors outline a simple daily practice, called TAMERS, that helps people to use those same processes to “remold their brains” around recovery, eventually making sobriety a routine way of life. Written by Al J. Mooney, M.D., a recovery activist who speaks internationally on recovery, and health journalists Catherine Dold and Howard Eisenberg, The Recovery Book covers all the latest in addiction science and recovery methods. In 26 chapters and over 600 pages, The Recovery Book tackles issues such

Committing to Identifying and accepting the problem; deciding to get sober. Treatment Extensive information on current options and how to choose a program. AA and other 12-Step How to get involved in a mutual-support group. Addiction Science and How alcohol and drugs alter pathways in the brain, and how to remold the brain around recovery. Relapse The Recovery Zone ReCheck, a simple new technique to anticipate and avoid relapses. Rebuilding Your How to handle relationships, socializing, work, education, and finances. Physical and Mental Tips for getting healthy and handling common ailments. Pain How to deal with pain in recovery and avoid a relapse if you need pain control for medical care. Family and How to help a loved one with addiction, and how to help yourself.

Genres: Addiction

936 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2014

Reviews

[Kayla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Do not read this book if you want any kind of evidence-based advice about addiction. The author gives no data, and many of the opinions in the book have been refuted when actual research was done (such as the idea that AA is the only way to recover from addiction, that no one can recover alone, or that forcing people into treatment works). It's pretty much the author totally talking out of his ass. Check out the work of Anne Fletcher instead.

[Karla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful resource- explains what to look for, side effects, possible outcomes, possible treatments and alternative treatments. This is great for persons or families helping someone they love. Recommended.

[Miss Murder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Updating this review to add this is what I picked up “out of curiosity” one day and helped me start my recovery journey…so it’s more useful and important than I can convey in a book review. Will re-read.

The go-to book for learning what addiction is, treatment and recovery options/timelines. Kind of like the guide to addiction in general. Can read a little textbook-y, but still very useful information that definitely pulled at my heart strings throughout.