10 Profound Books on Drug Addiction & Recovery to Read in 2023

The second edition features additional stories and a reference section. Amy Dresner had it all growing up in Beverly Hills, but at 24 she started dabbling in meth and unleashed a fiendish addiction monster. She was arrested for “felony domestic violence with a deadly weapon” and found herself penniless, divorced, and looking at 240 hours of community service. For two years, she bounced from rehabs to halfway houses, struggling with sobriety, sex addiction, and starting over in her 40s.

Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change

• Macy gives you the lowdown on this opioid crisis from start to finish, showing how big pharma misled doctors into believing these painkillers were not addictive.
• For some, hearing stories about addiction might be triggering when in the thick of their own personal battles.
• The most crucial concerns regarding addiction are answered in this book in a ground-breaking manner.
• It is a landmark in understanding and remaining balanced in a world where addiction is big business.
• Whether you’re a recovering addict or someone who wants to support a loved one in their recovery, there is a book out there that can help.

Phillips, a well-known actress, courageously shares her personal story of addiction and the challenges she faced in her quest for sobriety. Her memoir serves as a powerful reminder that recovery is possible and that it is never too late to embark on a journey towards healing and self-discovery. “Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man” by Bill Clegg is a powerful memoir that delves into the author’s struggles with addiction and his journey towards recovery.

About the Author

You may even smoke while listening, and there aren’t any gimmicks or fear-mongering techniques. If you’re finding it hard to work through these steps, semi-anonymous authors give you practical tips on harnessing these steps, improving your character, and forging forward with long-term recovery. Here are some of https://ecosoberhouse.com/ the best books related to drug and alcohol use disorders. The information on this website is not intended to be a substitute for, or to be relied upon as, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or qualified health provider with questions regarding a medical condition.

Memoirs, Biographies, and Family Stories: First and Second-Hand Accounts of Recovery

You might also gain a stronger insight into why their loved one behaves as they do. In Quit Like a Woman, author Holly Whitaker examines the drinking culture, specifically surrounding alcohol and women, and gives women a step-by-step guide to quitting—or at least, changing their relationship with alcohol. However, best alcoholic memoirs beyond the book that focuses on some key ideas, including changing our beliefs and practicing abstinence, among others, Whitaker aims to change the narrative surrounding alcohol consumption. Former “20/20” anchor Elizabeth Vargas shares her story of anxiety and alcohol use disorder in this compelling memoir.

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• It Calls You Back is Luis Rodriguez’s second memoir, following Always Running.
• Jerry Stahl was a writer with significant and successful screenwriting credits — Dr. Caligari, Twin Peaks, Moonlighting, and more.
• Haroutounian worked as the physician director at the world-famous Betty Ford Clinic.

This process requires individuals to address not only the physical aspects of addiction but also the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of their lives. Here’s a celebrity memoir from famous actor and comedian Russell Brand that also offers helpful advice for recovery. The actor performs the audiobook himself with the right balance of humor and sincerity. “High on Arrival” by Mackenzie Phillips is praised for its complete honesty, rawness, and the impact of the author’s recovery journey on inspiring others to seek recovery.

Whether it’s smoking, alcoholism, drug dependency, or sexual addiction, recovery is a lifelong process that requires dedication, patience, and support. Fortunately, there are many books available on the market that offer guidance, insight, and inspiration to those struggling with addiction and those who want to help them. In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the best books about addiction and recovery, with a specific focus on books about smoking and tobacco, alcoholism, drug dependency, and sexual addiction. And yet, there is something relatable and valuable within every person’s journey. For some, hearing stories about addiction might be triggering when in the thick of their own personal battles. But for many, many others, audiobooks about addiction and recovery help them feel less alone and provide a source of inspiration and empowerment.

Terry: Daughter’s Struggle Memoir by George McGovern

Grappling with low self-esteem, self-loathing, and loneliness, Garza seeks out a reprieve from her suffering in brothels, hookups, and the inevitable blackouts. Like many addictions, Garza’s will get worse before she seeks help and finally comes to terms with her obsessions. The 2008 recession caused Melissa Bond to lose her employment and suffer from sleeplessness. Her doctor often ups her dosage of benzodiazepines, a class of medications that includes Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, and Ativan.

We can’t recommend this book strongly enough, especially if you have tried and failed to stop using drinks or drugs in the past. Knowing how to prep for surgery can help with the recovery process that follows. I used to work in fashion/beauty/celebrity PR, and I related to her lifestyle before she got sober. I thought my party-girl ways were so glamourous, but it was really sad and unfulfilling, despite the glitz and glamour. Jerry Stahl was a writer with significant and successful screenwriting credits — Dr. Caligari, Twin Peaks, Moonlighting, and more. But despite that success, Stahl’s heroin habit began to consume him, derailing his career and destroying his health until one final, intense crisis inspired him to get clean.

Medication-Assisted Treatment: A Natural Approach

• Shubaly narrates his work exclusively for Audible, and his reading feels like a good friend telling you a story and offering advice.
• The opioid epidemic claimed over 450,000 victims between 1999 and 2018 as opioid painkillers were aggressively prescribed in the late 90s.
• Written by experts at the Center for Motivation and Change, Beyond Addiction is a truly unique guide for people who are dealing with a loved one’s substance use disorder.
• If you are concerned about any of the issues raised on this page then please seek medical advice from a doctor or treatment specialist.
• Together, the books were adapted into a 2018 film starring Steve Carrell and Timothée Chalamet.

In her book, she addresses issues such as facing facts, the question of AA, and other people’s drinking. Without sugarcoating the struggles of sobriety, she emphasizes the many blessings of an honest life. This commitment involves the willingness to make changes and adopt healthier habits.

Carr delves into his past, meticulously investigating his own story to unravel truths about his battle with addiction, recovery, and even his experience with cancer. Through his introspective narrative, Carr provides a unique perspective on the challenges of addiction and the possibility of redemption [4]. It encourages readers to embrace the joys and rewards of sobriety while shedding light on the impact of alcohol on health and mental well-being. Exploring the thoughts of an addict and a life unraveled by narcotics, this memoir spans the author’s struggles with opioid use disorder, to her time in jail, and ultimately to her recovery. High Achiever offers hope and inspiration and a raw and page-turning read. So here are 10 best-selling and/or award-winning books on addiction and recovery.