What do you think?
Rate this book
Staying Sober: A Guide for Relapse Prevention
Very good. Scuffed edges and some on cover. Small crease across back upper corner. Few dog-eared pages. No markings. Pages are clean and bright.
227 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1986
33 people are currently reading
420 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 27, 2010
Having read my share of AA and NA literature, I was refreshed and interested to read a book based NOT on the 12 steps, but on a Medical Physician's experience and observations of over a hundred Addicts/Alcoholics in a clinical environment and their follow-ups post-clinic.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a mind more bend toward the scientific who has tried to read AA/NA literature and just "didn't get it" or found the tone repulsive. Gorski is detached, non-judgmental, and I would later discover a big name in the Addiction-as-a-Science field.
This book is by no means "simple," rather it's more like a college textbook and anyone interested in the field could study it over and over without becoming bored.
I would recommend this book to anyone with a mind more bend toward the scientific who has tried to read AA/NA literature and just "didn't get it" or found the tone repulsive. Gorski is detached, non-judgmental, and I would later discover a big name in the Addiction-as-a-Science field.
This book is by no means "simple," rather it's more like a college textbook and anyone interested in the field could study it over and over without becoming bored.
March 8, 2008
An informative book on relapse prevention that goes beyond the 12steps without conflicting with AA (etc) beliefs. In fact, this enhances the recovery process of 12 steps by delving deeper into the psychological aspect of recovery.
It is a must read for people prone to relapse as well as for non-alcoholic/addict family and friends who wish to understand recovery and addiction.
It also provides compelling arguments for why it is extremely beneficial for there to be a supportive family structure for the recovering addict as well as how and why the people connected to the addict also suffer and will greatly benefit from pursuing some type of recovery for themselves.
It is a must read for people prone to relapse as well as for non-alcoholic/addict family and friends who wish to understand recovery and addiction.
It also provides compelling arguments for why it is extremely beneficial for there to be a supportive family structure for the recovering addict as well as how and why the people connected to the addict also suffer and will greatly benefit from pursuing some type of recovery for themselves.
October 27, 2008
Staying sober is a constant fight, as anyone who has battled an addiction can imagine. Even if you've only tried changing a bad habit, you'll understand how easy it is to slip into old ways. Gorski breaks down the relapse process & shows just how important it is not to start. A very gradual, almost imperceptible breakdown of our program leads to falling off the cliff & back into addiction. A must read for anyone who has ever relapsed on drugs or alcohol.
October 15, 2009
Definitely a great book....I highly recommend this for anyone that has a loved one or family member struggling with addiction.
August 12, 2025
As someone that's sober, I wanted to read a book about it. I loved how it emphasized numerous times that sobriety isn't just abstinence.
This book did answer for a lot of what I've felt and thought about over the past couple of years. This is informative and a good choice to read if you're sober and want to know more about addiction or if you know someone who has an addiction and you want to learn more about it to help them.
This book did answer for a lot of what I've felt and thought about over the past couple of years. This is informative and a good choice to read if you're sober and want to know more about addiction or if you know someone who has an addiction and you want to learn more about it to help them.
Want to read
April 10, 2008This is required reading for the family, which includes me, while my brother is in drug and alcohol rehab. It must be a good one or the treatment facility wouldn't make us all read it along with him.
January 16, 2024
Książka napisana prostym językiem. Odpowiednia dla pacjentów, poszukujacych wsparcia w swoim procesie leczenia. Jednak należy uwzglednic, żw to książka wydana po raz pierwszy 20 lat temu, a więc od czasu jej wydania proces leczenia uzaleznień znaczaco sie rozwinął - wiecej wiemy o wplywie wczesnego okresu życia dziecka na późniejszy rozwoj uzaleznienia oraz o współwystepowaniu uzaleznień z innymi chorobami (depresją, zaburzeniami lękowymi, PTSD) oraz neuroróżnorodnoscią (szczegolnie ADHD). Leczenie tych chorób i zaburzeń znacząco redukuje ryzyko nawrotu uzależnienia
May 14, 2018
Wow. This book literally change my life...the way I think and the way I act. POWERFUL!
August 16, 2019
Very helpful and insightful tool book for staying in recovery. Many important insights, ideas and reminders.
March 30, 2021
A stark and well researched discussion of the path to a well balanced and sober life.
April 14, 2021
a great read for those suffering from substance abuse, those who love someone who suffers or clinical staff treating patients with substance abuse issues.
August 2, 2022
This book has opened my eyes to my struggles in my recovery program. By focusing on PAWS symptoms, I learned how to manage these roadblocks and to continue and be vigilant for relapse signs.
April 24, 2024
I was reading this book for a college class, and i work at a rehab facility, and i think it provided me with a bunch of information i can apply!
Read
March 2, 2023Good information for those interested in addiction counseling/therapy
January 4, 2015
Relapse is a fact of life, which any addict or family member of an addict will tell you. Understanding the mechanisms of relapse in order to prevent it is therefore a matter of the highest importance. "Staying Sober" is certainly not the only book on the subject, but it is very useful.
Gorski & Miller's textbook comes with the option to buy a separate workbook, too. I have yet to work through that, but the textbook is a very good read.
What struck me is that the authors base their knowledge on experiences with actual addicts and use this as the starting point instead of taking AA or a 12 step programme as the point of origin. This impressed me. When that is said, the book is closely tied to the AA 12 step approach and way of thought. But even if you do not subscribe to the powerless dictum and the concept of the need for a Higher Power to keep you sober, there are still a lot of useful insights in the book. I doubt that any addict will not find many examples that could easily be taken from his or her own life. Also, the focus on identifying the warning signs of relapse, and making your own personal list of these in order to prevent relapse strikes me as a very useful tool.
Summasummarum, read it and grab whatever you can use in YOUR own life. I know I did.
Gorski & Miller's textbook comes with the option to buy a separate workbook, too. I have yet to work through that, but the textbook is a very good read.
What struck me is that the authors base their knowledge on experiences with actual addicts and use this as the starting point instead of taking AA or a 12 step programme as the point of origin. This impressed me. When that is said, the book is closely tied to the AA 12 step approach and way of thought. But even if you do not subscribe to the powerless dictum and the concept of the need for a Higher Power to keep you sober, there are still a lot of useful insights in the book. I doubt that any addict will not find many examples that could easily be taken from his or her own life. Also, the focus on identifying the warning signs of relapse, and making your own personal list of these in order to prevent relapse strikes me as a very useful tool.
Summasummarum, read it and grab whatever you can use in YOUR own life. I know I did.
March 17, 2008
only cool people can drink like me
July 5, 2013
A definite recommended read for persons in recovery.
September 27, 2014
This book is a very fast read and very informative. A must to help stay Sober in life for me. By Gods grace I am worthy of his praise. AMEN
May 9, 2017
Outlines the stages of addictive relapse and the techniques of relapse prevention.
A classic book using the CENAPS model of treatment which details a client’s stages leading to relapse. Included is a good description of relapse prevention strategies that can be followed to maintain a client’s sobriety.
A classic book using the CENAPS model of treatment which details a client’s stages leading to relapse. Included is a good description of relapse prevention strategies that can be followed to maintain a client’s sobriety.
Read
September 3, 2018haven't read the last couple of chapters but not sure it's worth it, either.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews