Empowering Your Sober Self: The LifeRing Approach to Addiction Recovery

by Martin Nicolaus, William L. White (Foreword)

"A sophisticated, insightful, well-documented view of the philosophy and practice that are at the heart of the LifeRing approach. This book offers a perspective on recovery that can motivate change in clinicians and researchers as well as among individuals struggling to find their sober selves." -- Carlo DiClemente

302 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Taury · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty disappointed. Didn’t purchase a book to read discord against other recovery groups. Pretty unprofessional in my opinion.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally managed to get hold of a copy of this book. Unlike A.A.'s recovery program, which revolves around the acceptance of a Higher Power, adherence to the Twelve Steps, and an admission of powerlessness, LifeRing's philosophy puts personal responsibility at the frontline. It promotes recovery by encouraging sobriety in a secular environment, allowing other members the chance to offer feedback during the meeting. It no way attacks A.A.; it does, however, offer a viable alternative to addicts who, for one reason or another, can't recover the A.A. way.

[Blaze-Pascal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one approach to drug "addiction" treatment. I like the introduction to the book because it gives a little story of the author's journey to start the program. I'm not going to explain what the program is, my advice, make educated choices. Look into the 16-step for discovery and empowerment.

good luck on your journey towards wellness.

[Jonathan Schildbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

LifeRing is a secular alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous. Here Nicolaus not only lays out the LifeRing philosophy of sobriety and the intent behind their program and meetings, but explains the way it developed, as well as the way AA and the modern addiction-treatment industry developed and operates. Of particular note is the role of the alcohol industry in supporting the original acceptance of the idea that alcoholism is a disease. In this way, the "disease" of alcoholism ends up seated as a personal problem -- you have a disease -- as opposed to alcohol being a dangerously addictive substance that brings a whole host of potential health problems along with it. In the 'strange bedfellows' category, following prohibition, the alcohol industry and AA teamed up to lobby for this cultural understanding of alcohol addiction. Nicolaus further argues that this understanding of alcohol addiction supports the concept of powerlessness that is a core component of AA, along with the attendant need for shame, self-flagellation, and penance. LifeRing's official policy on the disease concept is that they do not take a stance, but Nicolaus presents several arguments pointing out why the alcoholism-as-disease theory is based on bad science, as are many other 'modern' understandings of alcohol addiction, such as the belief there is an identifiable genetic component to it. By classifying alcoholism as a disease, though, it became something insurance companies would pay to have treated, and gave rise to a whole industry where much of the treatment, beyond the initial medical intervention to stabilize people going through withdrawal, is based not on actual science or best practices, but on a program and theory essentially born out of religion. Furthermore, much of the 'treatment' is provided by people with minimal education or training in addiction, and with limited oversight of the industry as a whole. This is not to say that there are not numerous clinically sound programs and professionals treating addiction, but rather, that much of the 'recovery industry' is built on running people through step-by-step programs with little evidence of the efficacy of that treatment.
In contrast to the fixed steps of AA and many other providers in the addiction/recovery field, the LifeRing approach is to focus on the more personal and positive. For example, rather than recounting the history of one's drinking/drugging and all the harm and disaster it brought in its wake, most of the meetings ('How was your week?' meetings) are based on members sharing what challenges they have recently overcome, and what challenges they may be facing, as well as what strategies helped them to achieve successes in overcoming the dive back into the bottle, and what strategies they are hoping to employ against further potential slips. Instead of a concept of powerlessness, LifeRing stresses that everyone has the power to avoid taking that first drink of the day/evening, and move through life seeking empowerment toward one's own chosen path, free of addictive substances. That said, LifeRing is not treatment per se, but is intended as community support for people seeking to stay sober, by encouraging the development of a 'personal recovery program' for working through one's own challenges with addiction. The core concept is based on the body of evidence that individualized treatment has been shown to be more effective for overcoming addiction than following a pre-existing set of steps and rules. That includes using AA for those people who find it to be useful. Overall, it is a well-researched work, likely to make interested parties question what they think they know about addiction and addiction treatment, and to highlight a different path toward sobriety than what they assumed were their only existing options.

[Michael Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been involved in Lifering for a while now, but I just recently read this book. There are several key differences with AA which is the reason I was drawn to Lifering. Probably the biggest difference and what I believe really sets Lifering apart from AA is there is no mention of a higher power. In my experience, AA is a very spiritual organization. I have no need for an invisible helper to recover from addiction. I only need the principles of Lifering and my own focus and commitment. If you need an alternative to AA, give this book a read and see if Lifering is something you might like to try.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Challenges one's thinking that AA is the one and only approach to recovery in terms of group/self-help. Enlightening!