The Canyon

Take some action while you’re going through your recovery or while your contemplating detox. For books that look at addiction and recovery with a focus on the psychology of our choices, check out:

* Why Good People Do Bad Things: Understanding Our Darker Selves by James Hollis
* The Self Psychology of Addiction and Its Treatment: Narcissus in Wonderland by Richard B Ulman and Harry Paul
* Treatment of Alcoholism and Other Addictions: A Self-Psychology Approach by Jerome D. Levin
* The Addictive Personality: Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior by Craig Nakken

Drug Addiction Recovery Workbooks

For books that are interactive in nature, the kind that you can turn to for guidance in those moments when you need spiritual help rather than clinical instruction, turn to:

* Soul to Soul Meditations: Daily Reflections for Spiritual Growth by Gary Zukav
* Addiction & Recovery for Dummies by Brian F., PhD Shaw, Paul, PhD Ritvo, Jane, D.Phil Irvine
* The Addiction Workbook: A Step-By-Step Guide to Quitting Alcohol and Drugs (New Harbinger Workbooks) by Patrick Fanning and John Terence O’Neill
* Willpower’s Not Enough: Recovering from Addictions of Every Kind by Arnold M. Washton
* The Recovery Book by Arlene Eisenberg, Howard Eisenberg and Al J. Mooney

History of Drugs of Addiction

If you’re an addict, one of your favorite topics is going to be drugs, whether or not you’re in recovery. It’s a hard habit to break and addicts aren’t alone in this. The history and evolution of drug production are a constant source of interest to addicts, alcoholics, and “norms” across the board. These are some of the best books I’ve seen on the subject:

* On Speed: The Many Lives of Amphetamine by Nicolas Rasmussen
* Illegal Drugs: A Complete Guide to their History, Chemistry, Use, and Abuse by Paul Gahlinger
* Altering American Consciousness: The History of Alcohol and Drug Use in the United States, 1800-2000 by Sarah W. Tracy and Caroline Jean Acker

Autobiographical Books About Drug Addiction

The personal stories of those who have been through addiction and recovery are inspiring and uplifting when you’re in or contemplating getting treatment for your drug and alcohol addiction. You get to laugh at the comedic moments and experience the ups and downs of addiction and recovery vicariously, whether or not you identify with the author. There’s a lot to learn from other people. The following is a good place to start:

* Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff
* Drinking: A Love Story by Caroline Knapp
* Dry: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs

* More, Now, Again: A Memoir of Addiction by Elizabeth Wurtzel
* Leaving Dirty Jersey: A Crystal Meth Memoir by James Salant
* The Heroin Diaries: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star by Nikki Sixx
* How to Stop Time: Heroin from A to Z by Ann Marlowe
* A Small Journal of Heroin Addiction by Robin Marchesi

Fiction With Drug Addiction as the Major Theme

Want to disappear into a fiction world and watch other people destroy their lives with drugs and alcohol? It’s a great way to validate your choice to enter recovery. Check out:

* Crank by Ellen Hopkins
* Glass by Ellen Hopkins
* Smack by Melvin Burgess
* Candy: A Novel of Love and Addiction by Luke Davies
* Beauty Queen by Linda Glovach

Are there any books on drug addiction and recovery you recommend?

Tags: Drug Addiction, drug addiction recovery

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This entry was posted on Sunday, May 18th, 2008 at 9:55 am in Drug Addiction, Drug Addiction Treatment