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Recovery Writing: Discovery and Healing in the Twelve Steps
A moving and informative book from an addict in recovery, sharing stories from his experience and research on the healing effects of writing in Twelve-Step fellowships that includes step-by-step exercises.
James Ryan is an addict in recovery. He is now over twenty years sane and sober, married and a father of two, and a PhD graduate who researches the power of writing to heal. In this book, James tells his own story and the stories of the addicts he interviewed in the course of his research. These narratives, informed by existing research on writing’s physical and psychological effects, lead to a social understanding of healing.
While writing does enable us to emote and confess, this is not the limit of its power. Writing heals our relationships as much as our bodies and minds. It attunes us to our social reality and improves our way of being with others. The notion of a higher power and the divine are also explored.
Included in this book are step-by-step instructions for writing exercises that offer a first-hand experience of social healing. These exercises, drawn from the backs of coffee-stained diner placemats and the hard-earned experience of addicts struggling to remake their lives, introduce those willing to undertake this journey to the powerful, life-changing world of recovery writing.
James Ryan is an addict in recovery. He is now over twenty years sane and sober, married and a father of two, and a PhD graduate who researches the power of writing to heal. In this book, James tells his own story and the stories of the addicts he interviewed in the course of his research. These narratives, informed by existing research on writing’s physical and psychological effects, lead to a social understanding of healing.
While writing does enable us to emote and confess, this is not the limit of its power. Writing heals our relationships as much as our bodies and minds. It attunes us to our social reality and improves our way of being with others. The notion of a higher power and the divine are also explored.
Included in this book are step-by-step instructions for writing exercises that offer a first-hand experience of social healing. These exercises, drawn from the backs of coffee-stained diner placemats and the hard-earned experience of addicts struggling to remake their lives, introduce those willing to undertake this journey to the powerful, life-changing world of recovery writing.
296 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2023
2 people want to read
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November 30, 2022
Incredibly well-written, this book explores the power of introspective writing in all its forms.
The interviews are truly touching and explore the complicated journey to recovering from addiction. I particularly liked that different "types" of addicts were included. Addiction and recovery are not restricted—anyone can be an addict, anything can be an addiction, and we can all recover if we give ourselves the tools and the time we need to do so.
The advice and tools within are not restricted to addiction, either. Writing is something we can, and should, all do.
The interviews are truly touching and explore the complicated journey to recovering from addiction. I particularly liked that different "types" of addicts were included. Addiction and recovery are not restricted—anyone can be an addict, anything can be an addiction, and we can all recover if we give ourselves the tools and the time we need to do so.
The advice and tools within are not restricted to addiction, either. Writing is something we can, and should, all do.
Displaying 1 of 1 review