Co-dependence
Codependent No More by Melody Beatty.. How to stop controlling others and start caring for yourelf. Hazelden Foundation, Minnesota. 1992
This book is a very readable aid to understanding co-dependency. It is regarded as a seminal work and a ‘must read’ if you are in a co-dependent relationship.
Beyond Codependency. Melody Beatty. A follow-on book with life-skills for independent living.
Women who love too much. by Robin Norwood. A popular book for those who are addicted to love and who love men who do not love them back.
Boundaries by Dr. H. Cloud and Dr. J. Townsend.
This is a very useful book. These authors are experts in incorporating biblical truth with good psychology. The result is a seminal work on how to take good care of yourself. “How to say no to others and yes to yourself.” It provides the readers with the important boundary principles and focuses on the setting of your own personal boundaries first., This is less about changing others and more about changeling yourself. Read it. In my experience, the Christian perspective is well presented and tolerated by people from other religions.
Drug & alcohol dependence
It can’t happen to me…A mother’s fight against drug abuse in South Africa by Adele Searll.Struik.1989.
This book is old now and probably out of print, but is a remarkable story of the late Adele Searll’s struggle with her son’s addiction and the information she presents still holds good today. This book doe not deal with the present-day drugs, like ‘tic’.
The Recovery Book. Al J. Mooney, M.D., Arlene Eisenberg & Howard Eisenberg. Workman Publishing. New York, 1992.
Expensive, but a must-have book for anyone in recovery. Presented in bite-sized pieces which are easy to read. You don’t have to read it from cover to cover, rather look up the section you are working with. Useful for families as well.
I want my life back by Steve Hamilton. This is a harrowing but very truthful account of what addiction is really like. Steve tracks his life from childhood and admits how difficult recovery is. He dispels the myths that exist about so-called ‘gateway’ drugs. A powerful book and a good read.
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. This controversial book is another harrowing book about an addict. I enjoyed the style in which it was written. It was very like being inside an addicts head. There has been controversy about how much of this is true.... turns out it is a novel and not an autobiography. For me it doesn’t affect the value of the book. It is not your typical recovery book as he is not a particular fan of the 12 –step recovery programmes. But a riveting read nevertheless. A warning. This is not for the faint-hearted - some people find that it is too vivid to stomach. Addicts generally found it helpful.
Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes. A delightfully lighthearted read about a woman’s experience in a rehab programme. Despite being a light and entertaining holiday read, it had enough home truths to be useful.
Gambling
Confessions of a Gambler by Rayda Jacobs. This is an enjoyable read. It is not an autobiography but a story about a gambler and about the many complications that come with compulsive gambling. It graphically illustrates the compulsion that drives a person to gamble beyond the point of common sense.
Sexual Addiction
Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction. Carnes Patrick. Minneapolis: Comp Care Publishers, 1983
For families of addicts
Love First – A new approach to intervention for Alcoholism and Drug Addiction by Jeff Jay and Debra Jay. Published by Hazelden.
Life-skills
The Road Less Travelled by F. Scott Peck. This is one of those books that you simply have to read. It teaches us about love, responsibility and so much more. It is especially useful for addicts who are in their second year of recovery and trying to undo years of dysfunctional ways of ‘doing business’.
Life Strategies; Self Matters; Relationship Rescue; The Ultimate Weight Solution by Dr. Phil McGraw. You may love him or you may hate him, but he certainly has some good ideas to share about self-esteem and relationships. His weight loss approach is also sound.
Nutrition
How to Quit Without Feeling S**t by Patrick Holford. At last...a book about the physiology of recovery. How to eat so that you don't feed the addictive pathway and so that the craving response is calmed. I can recommend this book... but to be used in conjunction with a proper treatment and recovery programme.
Food is Better Medicine than Drugs by Patrick Holford..
This is a must read for anyone in recovery from addictions. It exposes the prescription drug industry and gives us invaluable information. Read it and make up your own mind. Personally, I find Patrick Holford’s supplements helpful and if used wisely, they work very well in combination with a good low GL diet and regular exercise.
Eating for Sustained Energy. Liesbet Delport - Gabi Steenkamp. Tafelberg Publishers 2000.
This is a well-illustrated book with lots of information and recipes which also taste good. Ideal for diabetics and good for those who want a low GI diet. Low GI. low sugar and carbohydrate diet helps to quieten the addictive response and cravings.
Adult Children of Alcoholics
It Will Never Happen To me.Claudia Black. Medical Administration. Colorado. 1980
A very good place to start. This is a simple book for children of alcoholics. It can be used for anyone from the age of 12. It gives the basic information needed.
The Adult Children of Alcoholics Syndrome. Wayne Kritzberg, Health Communications, Pompano Beach, Florida. 1986.This is a more complex book and can be used by those wanting to come to grips with the more complex dynamics of alcoholism in the family. This book is suitable for therapists wanting to know more about the ACA syndrome and for those wanting to embark on therapy.
Healing the Child Within. Charles L.Whitfield, M.D. Health Communications, Inc., Deerfield Beach, Florida. 1989.
This is one of the definitive books on healing the inner child. There is also a workbook which accompanies this book (order separately) which provides useful exercises for those wanting to work seriously. I would advise going through this book with a therapist.
Other good ACA authors include:
Sharon Wegsheider-Cruz
Robert Ackerman
Janet Woititz
Creativity
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. When you are ready to take a journey into your creativity and spirituality and are prepared to spend 12 weeks doing some writing, drawing and playing, then you are ready for the Artist’s Way. Julia Cameron is a gentle, encouraging guide as she helps you uncover your creative blocks and monsters. She will lead you to a place from where it is possible for your life to change as you uncover and nurture the artist within.
I have worked through her book and found it life-changing. I chose to work alone but there are Artist Way Groups run by various artists and counselors. Please do remember to check out the group leader's credentials.
When you have finished that book, there are many others by Julia Cameron. I enjoyed The Right to Write and refer to it often when I need inspiration.
Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke. First published in 1875, this book remains an inspirational guide through the creative process.
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