Rules to Die By: From Heroin Addiction to Life in Long-Term Recovery and Beyond

by Jordan P. Barnes

What does a life in long-term recovery look like, and how does one make the most of it?

Award-winning author and recovery advocate Jordan P. Barnes reflects on his decade-long journey navigating a life in long-term recovery from all mind and mood-altering substances.

Having distanced himself from a hopeless condition of body, mind, and spirit, Barnes spent the better part of the past ten years navigating the traditional twelve steps and fine-tuned what worked best for him in his personal program of recovery.

What emerged was Rules to Die By, a short read, 15,000-word manifesto comprised of 12 reflections on the practices Barnes has employed to maintain a life worth living. These constructs and observations are broken down into relatable, digestible chunks designed to offer invaluable insight into one man’s journey from heroin addiction to life in long-term recovery and beyond.

97 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2022

About the author

Jordan P. Barnes is a grateful alcoholic & addict in recovery and Sand Island Treatment Center is his home group. When he’s not sharing his experience, strength and hope through writing or talking story, he enjoys bodysurfing and gardening.
Residing in beautiful Kailua, Hawaiʻi with his lovely wife Chelsea and two sons, Jordan has been sober from all mind and mood-altering substances since August 29th, 2011.
Jordan is a member of the Hawaiʻi Writers’ Guild and his debut book, One Hit Away: A Memoir of Recovery won 2020’s “Best Book of the Year” award from www.IndiesToday.com, was a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree as well as a finalist in both the 15th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards and the 2021 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards.

Reviews

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having already read Jordan’s memoir One Hit Away, and his first novel, Bridgetown, I was excited to see this book pop up in my library - Jordan has such an insightful way of speaking on addiction, recovery, and harm reduction.

I read Rules To Die By in a day; it was a quick read but still another thought-provoking piece of writing by the author. I really liked walking through the way he manages his program and his recovery, how he decides to stay clean, and how he walks through his journey each day.

As always, I left this book looking forward to Jordan’s next one!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone can find value in this book. I especially loved the "quality of life essentials" Jordan wrote about which allows us to reflect on what we want out of life, as well as list what to eliminate as we envision what we want life to look like and what it takes to get there. The three suggestions at the end of each segment can be useful in all areas of life outside of recovery. Jordan acknowledges that everyone's recovery journey will look different and is not a one size fits all. This book provides excellent insight and analysis as a follow up to One Hit Away to deep dive into helpful guidance. It also stands alone as an important work and tool!
One person found this helpful

[Kara M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life lessons

Another phenomenal book. I especially benefitted from the summarized lessons that are provided at the end of each chapter. Already looking forward to Barnes’ next book!

[Amy Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Pretty surface level.