|
|
|
Zen of Recovery by Mel Ash Mel Ash shows how Zen mind and practice connect to the heart of recovery. Drawing from his own experience as an abused child, alcoholic, Zen student, and Dharma teacher, Mel Ash presents a practical synthesis of AA's Twelve Steps and Zen's Eightfold Path. |
|
|
|
The Serenity Principle:
Finding Inner Peace in Recovery by Joseph Bailey Joe Bailey captures the essence of the Psychology of Mind/Health Realization model of mental health as it relates to recovery. A good guy and a good resource. |
|
Cool Water: Alcoholism,
Mindfulness, and Ordinary Recovery by William Alexander William Alexander uses mindfulness, story, and meditation to help alcoholics and others embrace the present moment and find healing there. |
|
|
Peace is Every Step: The Path
of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by Thich Nhat Hanh Thich Nhat Hanh teaches the practice of mindfulness--the act of keeping one's consciousness alive to one's present experience, of being truly awake. He offers practical methods to integrate everyday events into the quest for peace within ourselves. Not specific to addiction & recovery, this title addresses the broader issue of spiritual growth. |
|
|
Mister God, This is Anna by Fynn This incredible little classic will blow you away. It's a quick read that will stay with you forever. Just be sure you're ready for it. Not specific to addiction & recovery, but rather, it addresses the broader issue of spirituality in a simple and beautiful way. |
|
|
Alcoholics Anonymous: The
Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism
The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. AA's "Bible," The Big Book tells "how it works" through detailed instructions and personal stories. The Big Book is the traditional "standard text" for individuals in recovery--at least those who come in through AA. |
|
|
The Thinking Person's Guide to
Sobriety by Bert Pluyman Real-life experiences--both the author's and other people's--of recovery from high bottom alcohol addiction. This is a good read for people who know that something is not quite right but are equally certain that their problem isn't "that bad." |
|
|
Many Roads, One Journey:
Moving Beyond the 12 Steps by Charlotte Davis Kasl, PhD Charlotte Kasl presents recovery from a broader point of view. Rather than encouraging reliance on any one program, belief system, or mode of therapy, she challenges individuals to find their own voice and their own sources of strength and spirituality to guide their healing. |
|
|
|
Hour To Hour: The First 30
Days A handy pocket-sized book that delivers what it promises--24 different hourly readings for each of the first 30 days of recovery. This little text is one of Shelly Marshall's simplest and best works. |
|
Addiction & Grace by Gerald G. May, MD This beautifully written book explores the psychology and physiology of addiction as viewed from the perspective of contemplative spirituality. At the same time, it examines the theological and spiritual qualities of grace. |
|
|
Simple Steps...Costly Choices by Bob Lively Bob Lively, an ordained minister and pastoral counselor, delivers the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous translated into biblical, spiritual, and psychological language and made applicable to any and all addictions. |
|
|
A Gentle Path Through the
Twelve Steps by Patrick Carnes, PhD A guidebook and workbook for all people in the process of recovery from addictive behaviors. Includes exercises designed to help newcomers and old-timers alike to explore the nature of recovery within the context of the 12 Steps. |
|
|
The Hidden Addiction and How
to Get Free by Janice Phelps, MD & Alan Nourse, MD Phelps & Nourse convincingly put forth the argument that all addictions are rooted in the same genetic flaw in the body. It is an interesting twist on the disease model of addiction. Somewhat technical but fully understandable and quite compelling. |
|
|
Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry A true modern classic novel in which Malcolm Lowry chronicles an entire lifetime in the course of a single day--the last in the life of an alcoholic British Consul. A painfully realistic look at low bottom alcoholism within the context of a compelling story. |
|
|
Twelve Steps and Twelve
Traditions: An Interpretive Commentary on the AA Program AA's Big Book companion, the "12 & 12" details the Steps and Traditions and tells how each one relates to recovery within the context of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. |
|
|
Living Sober Another AA classic, Living Sober provides a simple, straightforward guide to many of basic principles and practices of the AA program, especially as they relate to individuals in early recovery. This is as clear as it gets. |
|
|
Recovery Wisdom: Slogans to
Use, One Day at a Time A compilation of more than 400 slogans, sayings and other truisms, gathered from the rooms of Twelve Step recovery programs. A simple and enjoyable resource for anyone in recovery. |
|
|
The Road Less Traveled An honest and understandable approach to spirituality, this true modern classic has moved millions of people closer to self-awareness, self-acceptance, and spiritual enlightenment. It stands the test of time beautifully. |
|
|
Slowing Down to the Speed of
Life Carlson & Bailey discuss how to create a more peaceful, simpler life from the inside out. The premise reminds one of Eastern spiritual thought--slowing down and living in the moment, but it derives from the powerful Psychology of Mind/Health Realization model. |
|
|
Confessions of a Closed Mind by Kenneth Byrd Chance An inspiring and empowering story of one man's spiritual journey. More generally, Kenneth Chance offers a look at intimacy, spirituality, and personal transformation from a man's point of view. This is a nicely written work. |
|
|
Ishmael In this extraordinary novel, a man and a gorilla embark on an intellectual adventure that redefines what it means to be human. Not specific to addiction & recovery, but rather, it addresses the broader issue of spirituality from an intellectual viewpoint. |
|
|
Codependent No More A true classic in the field of codependency, this book examines codependency in depth. It looks at what it is, where it comes from, how it affects us and those around us, and how to deal with it on a personal level. |
|
|
Codependents' Guide to the
Twelve Steps Another classic treatment of codependency by Melody Beattie, the author of Codependent No More. This guide interprets the 12 Steps of AA specifically to deal with codependent issues. Provides text, exercises, and activities. |
|
|
The Language of Letting Go A book of daily meditations for codependents. Contains reflections that nurture spiritual and emotional health, serenity, and recovery. This book is written in a direct, unsentimental style and focuses on self-esteem and acceptance. |
|
|
Facing Codependence A guide to understanding the origins of codependence and the path to recovery from it. Pia Mellody traces the origins of codependency back to childhood, describing a whole range of emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, and sexual abuses that may contribute to codependency's appearance in adulthood. |
|
|
The Drama of the Gifted Child:
The Search for the True Self Now revised and updated to reflect the author's new insights, this modern classic explains why many of the most successful children and adults are plagued by feelings of emptiness and alienation. Miller also discusses how to break the cycle. |
|
|
The Dance of Wounded Souls: A
Cosmic Perspective of Codependence and the Human Condition A persuasive take on the new age by a Twelve Step enthusiast. Presents a set of beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life from a cosmic perspective that combines 12-Step recovery principles with ancient spiritual truths. |