When I finally stopped drinking myself to death, it was the specific support and help that allowed me to slow down, and take this one opportunity I had to stop drinking and stay that way…. for good.
The timing for me (this time) was just right, and selecting and reading the best factual and self-help books was one of the most important things that helped me to identify and start to change my irrational and destructive behaviours.
I have narrowed down my reading material to my personal top 5. Breaking Addiction by Dr Lance Dodes This is my number 1 book as it was the book that made the penny drop with me! An excellent book that outlines what addiction actually is, and inspired me to read as much as I could on the subject. If you buy 1 book to help yourself buy this one! The Chimp Paradox by Dr Steve Peters I read this when I was in treatment and it re-enforced what I was learning about how the brain works and the links to emotions. Its a fun book to read and it helps the reader understand why and how the brain processes emotions. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Mate I read this book after I had been clean for a couple of years and wished I had come across it a lot earlier. Gabor Mate writes in such a precise and easy to understand style and he knows what he’s talking about! If you, or a friend or relative is having problems with any form of addiction, then read this book! Back to Sanity by Steve Taylor A great book that outlines the importance of being present (mindfulness) and how to reconnect with yourself…. and the author works at Leeds University ;-) Problem Drinking by Nick Heather and Ian Robertson A book that my key worker recommended me to read when I was in treatment. Challenges the disease model and provides a history of alcohol, AA and alcohol in society. These guys knew the score back in the 1980’s and it is frightening that alcohol treatment in general has taken so long to evolve, remaining fairly static up until the second decade of the 21st century. (This book is not available as a Kindle version but is often available in print on eBay).
Mark Franklin is the CEO and founder of Start Recovery, a private counselling service based in Leeds, Yorkshire, UK.
Start Recovery has a full range of both alcohol counselling services and drug counselling services available.
So if you think you might benefit from treatment, get in touch and we'll see what we can do to help you.