Synopses & Reviews
The author of the recovery mainstay
12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery offers a fresh list of "smart" things to do to attain and sustain emotional sobriety. Whether it's called "dry drunk" or "white knuckle sobriety," it's that stage in recovery when we realize that "putting the plug in the jug" isn't enough. The next step is taking responsibility for the emotional immaturity that fuels our addictive personality and has a tremendous impact on ourselves and others. Allen Berger, PhD, draws on the teachings of Bill W. and psychotherapy pioneers to offer twelve hallmarks of emotional sobriety that, when practiced, give people the confidence to be accountable for their behavior, ask for what they want and need, and grow and develop a deeper trust in the process of life. These smart things include:
understanding who you are and what's important to youlearning not to take others' reactions personallytrusting your inner compasstaking responsibility for your reactions to problematic situations
It is in these practices that we find release from what Bill W. described as an "absolute dependency" on people or circumstances, and develop the tools to find prestige, security, and belonging within.
Review
Berger, Allen. 12 Smart Things To Do When the Booze and Drugs Are Gone: Choosing Emotional Sobriety Through Self-Awareness and Right Action.
Hazelden. Sept. 2010. c.200p. bibliog.
ISBN 9781592858217. pap. $14.95.
McAlister, Brian. Full Recovery: Creating a Personal Action Plan for Life Beyond Sobriety. 2d ed. MacSimum. Sept. 2010. c.240p. ISBN 9780982394816. $22.95. SELF-HELP
These two titles cover similar territory--how to free oneself from emotional bondage and to achieve abundant living after putting the plug in the jug. Psychologist Berger (12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery) draws on the studies from psychological research and the lessons of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) founder Bill W. to offer 12 smart things to do to achieve self-mastery--the maintaining of a healthy relationship with oneself. Each chapter offers readings and instructions on such goals as pressuring oneself instead of others to change, appreciating what is, and not taking things personally. Essentially, Berger helps the reader to fill the hole once filled by addiction in a manner comfortable to those familiar with AA material. Motivational speaker and recovering alcoholic McAlister incorporates a strong reliance on God for assistance in achieving long-term success. He uses personal examples and case studies of both success and failure to help the reader explore old maladaptive habits/beliefs, find motivational activities, and develop a game plan that overcomes hurdles. He provides exercises and practical applications for career and relationship goals. All those in recovery or even actively drinking can get help from either book, but practicing Christians may prefer Full Recovery. Brian McAlister
Review
"True emotional sobriety is a life's journey, with...much to be learned along the way. Dr. Berger provides a wonderful, detailed road map to guide readers on the journey."
--Jerry McDonald, ACATA; Producer, Drug Awareness Hour at the Betty Ford Center
Synopsis
The author of the classic 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery offers a fresh list of "smart" things to do to attain and sustain emotional sobriety.
The author of the recovery mainstay12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery offers a fresh list of "smart" things to do to attain and sustain emotional sobriety. Whether it's called "dry drunk" or "white knuckle sobriety," it's that stage in recovery when we realize that "putting the plug in the jug" isn't enough. The next step is taking responsibility for the emotional immaturity that fuels our addictive personality and has a tremendous impact on ourselves and others. Allen Berger, PhD, draws on the teachings of Bill W. and psychotherapy pioneers to offer twelve hallmarks of emotional sobriety that, when practiced, give people the confidence to be accountable for their behavior, ask for what they want and need, and grow and develop a deeper trust in the process of life. These smart things include: understanding who you are and what's important to youlearning not to take others' reactions personallytrusting your inner compasstaking responsibility for your reactions to problematic situationsIt is in these practices that we find release from what Bill W. described as an "absolute dependency" on people or circumstances, and develop the tools to find prestige, security, and belonging within.
Synopsis
In times of crisis like the coronavirus pandemic has caused, we need all the recovery tools we can get. Smart sobriety means working on all the stuff our substances were covering up.
The author of the classic 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery offers a fresh list of "smart" things to do to attain and sustain emotional sobriety. Whether it's called "dry drunk" or "white knuckle sobriety," it's that stage in recovery when we realize that "putting the plug in the jug" isn't enough. The next step is taking responsibility for the emotional immaturity that fuels our addictive personality and has a tremendous impact on ourselves and others.
Allen Berger, PhD, draws on the teachings of Bill W. and psychotherapy pioneers to offer twelve hallmarks of emotional sobriety that, when practiced, give people the confidence to be accountable for their behavior, ask for what they want and need, and grow and develop a deeper trust in the process of life. These smart things include: understanding who you are and what's important to you; learning not to take others' reactions personally; trusting your inner compass; and taking responsibility for your reactions to problematic situations.
It is in these practices that we find release from what Bill W. described as an "absolute dependency" on people or circumstances, and develop the tools to find prestige, security, and belonging within.
Synopsis
In times of crisis like the coronavirus pandemic has caused, we need all the recovery tools we can get. Smart sobriety means working on all the stuff our substances were covering up. Learn the attitudes and behaviors that are key to attaining and sustaining emotional sobriety and developing a deeper trust in the process of life.
Dr. Allen Berger draws on the teachings of Bill W. and psychotherapy pioneers to offer us twelve hallmarks of emotional sobriety. These "right actions" help us develop the confidence to be accountable for our behavior, to practice asking for what we want and need, and to cultivate a deeper trust in the process of life. Dr. Berger's list of smart things includes
understanding who you are and what's important to you learning not to take others' reactions personally trusting your inner compass
Through practicing these twelve things, we find release from what Bill W. described as an "absolute dependence on people or circumstances. Freed from the emotional immaturity that fueled our addictive personality and hurt ourselves and others, we can develop the tools to find strength from within and continue our successful journey of recovery.
Synopsis
The author of the classic 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery offers a fresh list of "smart" things to do to attain and sustain emotional sobriety. Learn the attitudes and behaviors that are key to attaining and sustaining emotional sobriety and developing a deeper trust in the process of life.
Dr. Allen Berger draws on the teachings of Bill W. and psychotherapy pioneers to offer us twelve hallmarks of emotional sobriety. These "right actions" help us develop the confidence to be accountable for our behavior, to practice asking for what we want and need, and to cultivate a deeper trust in the process of life. Dr. Berger's list of smart things includes
understanding who you are and what's important to you learning not to take others' reactions personally trusting your inner compass
Through practicing these twelve things, we find release from what Bill W. described as an "absolute dependence on people or circumstances. Freed from the emotional immaturity that fueled our addictive personality and hurt ourselves and others, we can develop the tools to find strength from within and continue our successful journey of recovery.
About the Author
Allen Berger, Ph.D., is a practicing psychologist and the author of the popular book, 12 Stupid Things that Mess Up Recovery: Avoiding Relapse through Self-Awareness and Right Action. For more than thirty years, he has been on his own personal journey in recovery while helping others discover a new way of life free from addiction and its insanity.