If you are struggling with addiction or alcoholism, then I have a book list for you. I have also included titles, for family members, who are suffering because of their loved one’s abuse. Just relying on books alone will not be enough to fix all your problems, but reading the right material can certainly help.
There are thousands of titles that will be of interest to people recovering from an addiction. These books contain valuable information and inspiring stories.
My list of books on alcoholism and addiction are as follows. To learn more about a title, click on the link to read the full description as well as reviews for the book. Note that some books are physical while others are available on both the Kindle and in print. This list is in no particular order, and I am not endorsing or recommending any of the material, it’s just a list for your reference.
The Addictive Brain by Michael J. Kuhar – ($19.19) This book explains in details the effect of drug abuse in the brain. Michael Kuhar depicts in this book the long-term brain changes caused by using illegal drugs. Thus showing the reasons why most addicts cannot simply escape their addiction. Also in this book, Kuhar describes the reasons why there are people who are susceptible to addiction. This addiction can be described with similar addictions that provide pleasure like gambling, sex, alcohol, and caffeine. In his book, Kuhar also outlined the twelve characteristics that are mostly successful in the treatment of drug addiction.
Drugs and Drugs Policy by Mark A.R. Kleiman, Jonathan P. Caulkins, Angela Hawkin – ($11.53) perhaps this is one of the most useful books that discusses in detail the nature of each drug, components, and effects in the brain and in the body. The book also describes the illegal trading of drugs, its negative effect on the economy, as well as its role in most terroristic activities. Finally, the author moved to discuss the drug policy in the United States detailing the corresponding punishment for the type of drug and volume confiscated plus the regulations on how these drugs should be used by medical professional and how it is abused illegally.
Drug Use and Abuse by Stephen Maisto, Mark Galizio, Gerard J. Connors – ($128.64) This book centers on an interdisciplinary approach to covering current drug issues. The content is practically rich with biological, social, psychological, historical, cultural, and medical perspective that emphasizes on the effect of a drug that is not solely physical but mainly biological and psychological. The suggested approach centers on psychopharmacology and pharmacology. Meanwhile, the book also has a detailed discussion on the component and classes of drugs as well as its physical and mental effects to a user and the destructive manifestation of behavior when taken aggressively. Note: you might want to see if your library has a copy. The book is expensive.
Buzzed: The Straight Facts about the Most Used and Abused Drugs from Alcohol to Ecstasy by Cynthia Kuhn – ($12.18) This book presents useful information about the chemical components of every drug available in the street. It provides detailed information as well of the respective effects of these drugs in the brain, in the body, and its effect on the person’s emotional and psychological being. The book also describes in detail the long-term and short-term effect of these drugs and the behavioral disorder development that it creates to a person. Ultimately, this book wanted to provide information that shows all details about each drug so that a person would think twice or even a hundred before taking one, and also this book will help the therapist to assess the gravity of the addiction of every patient and thus decide the mode of treatment that best fit the patient.
Addiction Why they Can’t Just Stop by Susan Cheever – ($17.13) this book was also made into an HBO documentary that reflects the impact of drug addiction on their families, the economy, and in a larger picture the society as a whole. This book depicts lives of people who drastically change because of addiction wherein their families equally suffer the effect. It also tries to provide a picture of a stigma that goes with the addiction by describing the ill effects of drugs in the brain of the addicts that makes it extremely hard for them to stop taking drugs on their own.
Cracked: Life on the Edge in the Rehab Clinic by Drew Pinsky – ($10.19) This is a book written by the famous co-host of Loveline that deals with love problems including addiction. This books chronicles the author’s experience with his patient cases of addiction and abuse which aims to enlighten readers about the growing cases of drug abuse and it’s corresponding psychological and emotional effect not only to users but to the general public who had been victims of drug caused crimes in the street or even within their houses. Note: Dr. Drew is not an addict, but he is an expert in the field of recovery.
Will Power’s not enough by Arnold M. Washton – (9.87) This book presents insights on how a person’s desire to abstain himself from drug abuse or any form of addiction do not simply work and eventually lead the person back to addiction. It present facts about drug addiction, why people get hooked on drugs, and some important treatment methodology that can be applied and sought to help a family member or any drug dependent person to rehabilitate himself and eventually emerge as a new person with a stronger perspective in life.
Living Sober by Anonymous – ($10.36) Living Sober is an extremely informative book which does not offer a plan for getting sober but does offer us sound advice about how to stay sober. Basic, essential information from Alcoholics Anonymous. As the book states, “Anyone can get sober. .the trick is to live sober.” Note: this is a personal favorite.
Staying Clean: Living Without Drugs by Anonymous – ($8.76) this books centers on the thirty-three tested ideas on how a person can stay drug free by seeking professional help, involving his family in his rehabilitation, attending to support groups that understand his dilemma and are willing to help in the process of his rehabilitation, praying, and understanding the better life and opportunities ahead without the drug in one’s body. Meditation is another way suggested in this book that will greatly help a person redirects his priorities from drugs to sobriety.
Loving the Addict, Hating the Addiction: For Christian Families Coping with Drug Addiction by Kecia C. Sims – ($11.06) this is a Christian drug rehab book that intends to help the families of an addicted person to cope up with the tragic events in their lives. Most books on drug rehab focus on the effect of the illegal drugs with the addicted person, how it destroyed their lives, and how this addict shall be helped to gain back their normal life. Yet, there are limited books that cater to the pain of dealing with addiction of families who are not into drugs but simply loving someone who is hooked on it. This book aims to provide spiritual guidance to families who are coping up with addiction of a family member.
When Someone You Love Abuses Drug or Alcohol by Cecil Murphey – ($26.00) this is a religious book offered for people who have a family member or a loved one suffering from addiction with alcohol or illegal drugs. This book is made to encourage the people with drug dependent loved one to be strong amidst the crisis by having their spiritual being taken cared of despite the trouble they are encountering. It should be noted that it is not only the addict who are suffering when somebody in the family is using illegal drugs. The family members or his loved one equally suffers.
Drug Abuse Prevention: A School and Community Partnership by Richard Wilson, Chery A. Kolander – ($71.64) while most books centers on various drugs problem, and a few on preventing drug addiction. This book provides an in-depth discussion that teaches students, teachers, and parents to design preventive measures against drug addiction. It also aims to assess the effectivity of preventive materials that will be used. The book also involves policy making to prevent drug use and addiction within a school, neighborhood, and community in general. The book places a heavy expectation on the role of teachers, the community, and the parents in combating the increasing problem of drug addiction. Note: you might want to see if this book is available at your local library.
Beyond the Yellow Brick Road: Our Children and Drugs – ($14.95) this book is basically designed to create awareness of parents regarding the situations that they should be aware especially on drug-related problems that their children might be thinking to experiment or try. The tone is personal that talks to parents directly that comes from someone who has a street-level insight and knowledge on what some adolescent might even consider of going. The books suggest dealing with the problem in a non-accusatory tone; instead, the book proposes a personalized approach to the problem by parents.
Don’t let your Kids Kill You: A Guide for Parents of Drug and Alcohol Addicted Children by Charles Rubin – ($11.35) this book is specially made for parents who have children that are addicted to abuse substance including drugs and alcohol. The book provides self-help instructions on how parents should act logically in times of their children crisis. It contains information on identifying when your child is suffering from drug addiction, early signs of drug dependence, and information on different abused substance. It also has tips on how parents can act to treat or encourage their children to get rehabilitated by creating emotional distance with their children.
Healing the Addictive Mind: Freeing Yourself from Addictive Patterns ad Relationships by Lee L. Jampolsky – ($25) this is another self-help book from Lee L. Jampolsky that centers on understanding a person who undergoes drug addiction and all the negative effects associated with the problem. This book provides detailed reasons for addiction especially on how a drug addict person tends to think and act while denying his situation. The author provides helpful information on how a drug dependent person should be dealt and what is the possible rehabilitation approaches that will help the person submit to rehabilitation. This book also provides suggestion on how a person who is starting to depend on drugs or has an inclination to become addicted to illegal drugs with ways to shift attention to more productive things in life.
To see a list of the 100 most popular books (on Alcoholism and Addiction) click the Amazon link here and here.