by Stanton Peele, PhD & Archie Brodsky with Mary Arnold
Fireside, 1991 ISBN 0-671-75530-7
430 pages
It has been a little over 14 months since I had finally given up consuming alcohol for good. Since I was introduced to "recovery" through the 12-Step faith healing program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1988, I have had brief periods of sobriety in between 4 residential rehabs, one employee assistance program and one outpatient program. None of this worked. Until I finally realized that I needed to stop poisoning myself with alcohol and find something better to do.
So the Life Process Program Dr. Peele, et al. outlines in this accessible book, gives a way addicts can find meaning outside of their destructive habits. I no longer believe addiction is a "disease". It was a way I chose to deal with the world, but whether it was inherited from my parents, or whether it was from my environment I don't know. I do know that I'm much better off not consuming any more alcohol. This book gives the explanation is to why alcoholism, drug abuse, smoking, over-eating, gambling, shopping, etc. are NOT diseases. AA & the other 12-step "fellowships" want you to believe that only their "spiritual" approach is the best way. It isn't. For much more evidence than I can provide here, I invite you to read the Orange Papers:
And of course, check out Stanton Peele's website as well.
I do not self-identify as an "alcoholic". Yes, alcohol was a center of my life for over 25 years, and I would say that I'm a former alcohol abuser. To-day I choose to live my life free of that chemical and also I do not obsess about it. The only time I give it any thought is during my work time as a Wellness Coach and my writing here and on Facebook. The rest of the term I devote to other pursuits which I'll mention here in due time.
Anyway, get this book, whether at the bookstore or at the library. It'll be a good start, much better than that mess entitled "Alcoholics Anonymous" a.k.a. "The Big Book".
Also, some more options for recovery from addictions:
And finally, here's a great oldie by one of the pioneers of the secular recovery movement, Jack Trimpey:
Happy Trails,
TJS
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