"An outstanding effort filled with important information for those who treat alcoholics, live with alcoholics, or who are alcoholics. A significant contribution to the field, and all who deal with alcoholics would benefit from reading it."--Science Books and Films
"A thoroughly readable and rich introduction tothe process of recovery from alcoholism."--New England Journal of Medicine
"Ludwig offers a unique integrative perspective which encompasses the clinical wisdom accrued through twenty-five years of experience as an alcoholism researcher and therapist.The book serves as an excellent primer for clinicians and recovering persons on a practical and multiperspective approach to alcoholism treatment."--Contemporary Psychology
"An exciting contribution to the growing self-help literature in the addictions field.Dr. Ludwig has long enjoyed an excellent reputation both as a researcher and clinician in the field of alcohol studies. This book will strengthen that reputation. It will also save lives."--G. Alan Marlatt, University of Washington
"Perhaps the best book on the subject I have read for a long time."--Donald W. Goodwin, M.D., University of Kansas
"Solid, informative, imaginative, and elegantly written."--Harold Kalant, M.D., University of Toronto
`The sifted and assimilated result of years of thoughtful observation by a kind and sensitive clinician."--Margaret Bean-Bayog, M.D., Harvard Medical School
"An excellent little book--highly informative, full of challenging and stimulating ideas, and teeming with shrewd clinical insights."--British Journal of Psychiatry
"Useful for physicians who wish to understand alcoholism and the recovery process, and to gain anecdotal evidence of this process, which is presented by using the words of recovering alcoholics.Can be of great value to those many physicians faced with individual patients who are drinking too much." --New York State Journal of Medicine
"A rich and interesting book filled with references to research, self-reports by alcoholics, and fictional allusion to the thought-processes of the alcoholic Ludwig does not proselytize about any one approach and he offers a hearty notes/bibliography section for those who wish to find out more about technical aspects of alcoholism and treatment." --KLIATT Young Adult Paperback Book Guide
Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
I have been in substance abuse counseling and AA on and off for a few years. Recently I began researching alternatives to the 12-step approach in secular organizations such as SOS and non-AA affiliated books such as "Rational Recovery." This was one of the books I chose to read and I'm very happy I did. Written by a medical doctor and experienced researcher, the book brings together a lot of information about alcoholism that I had picked up in bits and pieces from treatment into an understandable and inspiring model for recovery. The chapters -- entitled "Paradoxes and Contradictions", "The Lure of the Siren", "The Dry Drunk", "The Mystery of Craving", "On and Off the Wagon", "The Proper Frame of Mind", "Resisting Temptation", "Sobriety Scripts" and "The Sober Mind" -- cover in depth how and why alcoholics relapse, and present foundations for committed sobriety. He states the fundamental view of the book in the preface: "1. ...many alcoholics, under the proper circumstances, do manage to recover. 2. Those who recover do so by adopting certain characteristic ways of thinking and behaving. 3. The changes associated with recovery...tend to involve...all aspects of their lives." The book follows this premise with scientific background, real life examples, and Insight into why AA and other approaches work or do not work for different individuals. I've been able to put into perspective the seriousness of my harmful drinking and understand what it means for me to make a true, lasting commitment to sobriety. Most importantly, I've gained Insight into the worst aspect of alcoholism (for me), craving, through the latter chapters on how to avoid, curtail and resist it. The information in this book has given me valuable tools to continue with my sobriety.
