Have you ever tried typing “books on addiction” in the Amazon search field? I did. Items one through 16 of over 10,000 results appeared on my screen. On reflection, I’m not sure how helpful that was. Where are we supposed to start? At result number 1? 2? 16? 3,462?
Whether you are struggling with addiction or know someone who is, helpful resources can be life-changing. Yet, a search for good reads yields so many results! It can be overwhelming, to say the least. If you’re looking for some expert input, personal experience, or helpful advice, the following are a few top picks that cover a full range of addiction topics.
Here’s a Quick List to Narrow Your Options
- Recover To Live
Are you trying to gain a better understanding of conditions and activities related to behavioral addictions? Recover to Live, by Christopher Kennedy Lawford, who is over 25 years in recovery, offers a collection of expert opinions from leaders in the field regarding addiction and what you can do to overcome it. The book covers a wide range of addiction manifestations, including drugs, alcohol, gambling, smoking, eating disorders, hoarding, sex, and porn addiction. The content is designed as a self-treatment guide for those struggling with any of these behaviors. - Living Sober
The anonymous author of Living Sober views sobriety as the first step in recovery. The focus of the content is the healthy day-to-day living that comes after a person gives up alcohol or other drugs. According to the writer, it is during these challenging times that real recovery occurs. This book offers tools to use when facing these times and is closely tied with the 12-Steps tradition. - Under the Influence
In print for several decades now, Under the Influence, by James Robert Milam and Katherine Ketcham, is a helpful resource on alcoholism. The authors seek to dispel the myths surrounding alcoholism and offer assistance for those struggling with alcoholism or an addicted loved one. The book covers how to help someone with alcoholism, how to tell if a loved one has alcoholism, and how to increase chances of recovery. - Why Don’t They Just Quit?
If your family member is struggling with addiction, you’ve probably asked this question. Why Don’t They Just Quit, by Joe Herzanek, offers insight into addiction, co-dependence, relapse, interventions, and other related topics. It’s a good resource for anyone with questions about addiction and the recovery process. - Recovery and Renewal
Many addictions start with a legal, doctor-approved prescription. With this in mind, Recovery and Renewal by Baylissa Frederick, focuses on addiction issues related to prescription drugs, specifically benzos. It looks at the side effects and withdrawal that can occur when taking sleeping pills, anti-depressants, and other tranquilizers. Frederick, a noted counselor on matters of substance abuse and addiction withdrawal, offers information for anyone who wants to know what to expect from benzo withdrawal as well as techniques for getting through the process. - Addiction as an Attachment Disorder
Addiction is a disorder in self-regulation. Individuals who become dependent on addictive substances cannot regulate their emotions, self-care, self-esteem, and relationships. In this monumental and illuminating text Philip Flores covers all the reasons why this is so. But it is the domain of interpersonal relations that he makes clear why individuals susceptible to substance use disorders (SUDs) are especially vulnerable. His emphasis on addiction as an attachment disorder is principally important because he provides extensive scholarly and clinical insights as to why certain vulnerable individuals so desperately need to substitute chemical solutions and connections for human ones. - Addiction: Psychology and Treatment (BPS Textbooks in Psychology)
Addiction: Psychology and Treatment brings together leading psychologists to provide a comprehensive overview of the psychology of addictions and their treatment across specialities and types of services. * Emphasises the use of several approaches including CBT, psychodynamic and systemic and family treatments, and consideration of the wider picture of addictions * As well as the theories, gives a clear overview of the application of these models * Reflects the very latest developments in the role played by psychological perspectives and interventions in the recovery agenda for problem drug and alcohol users.