One of the most powerful things you can do when recovering from an addiction is to educate yourself about it in every way possible by reading books about addiction. Learning about addiction, its causes, symptoms and solutions to sobriety can help you feel more prepared for recovery. Whether you are looking into addiction recovery, are in the middle of a treatment program or just completed rehab, reading some additional material about addiction is always helpful.
Here are some useful books about addiction that can keep you inspired and informed about recovery.
1. Clean – Overcoming Addiction and Ending America’s Greatest Tragedy by David Sheff
This is a book that aims to take on the epidemic of addiction in the U.S. by working to explain how the disease affects the country. It explains why it happens so often, the issues with treatment systems, the war on drugs and the latest research and discoveries. It can be great reading material to start to understand the landscape of addiction and how it affects not only you but countless others in the nation.
2. Rewired- A Bold New Approach to Addiction and Recovery by Erica Spiegelman
The author’s goal in writing this book is to layout a path to recovery that is simple yet still empowering for people. It focuses on helping people learn to think differently and essentially “rewire” their brain so that they can embrace living healthy and sober. Spiegelman is an addiction counselor who has had her own struggles with alcoholism and addiction that helped inform her understanding of a healthy recovery.
3. Drink – The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol by Ann Dowsett Johnston
This book tells the author’s own personal story of her descent into alcoholism and her inspiring journey to recovery. In addition to being a memoir, the author also discusses the issues of alcoholism that particularly affect women. It helps the reader understand more about why alcoholism is becoming a growing epidemic among women while also providing an uplifting story of one person’s path to becoming sober.
4. Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis and Larry Sloman
A story of addiction told by the singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Scar Tissue” bravely confronts the dark issues associated with heroin abuse. The book takes the reader into the deep sadness and despair that go along with heroin use and avoids ever glamorizing it as part of being a musician. The content can be insightful but potentially triggering for anyone in recovery from heroin addiction so it is important to be cautious about reading at the right time.
5. This Naked Mind- Control Alcohol by Annie Grace
This book is another empowering look at how people can discover freedom and happiness through learning to live sober. The author looks at the reasons our society drinks, how much time is wasted by drinking and asserts that being sober provides freedom and not loss. It can help readers start to view drinking and addiction differently so that they can see their choice to quit as a powerful tool for change.
6. Codependent No More – How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie
Anyone who has experienced addiction or has had a loved one in their life suffering from addiction can benefit from reading this book. It has numerous exercises and self-tests to help people that have become lost in another person’s disease. Family members and friends of addicts should read this book if they want to regain their sense of individuality as their loved one goes through recovery.
7. Integral Recovery by John Dupuy
The author of this book helps the reader to understand the roots of addiction while also providing a guide that will help you structure an effective recovery. For anyone interested in holistic recovery this book is particularly useful in recovery techniques for the mind, body and spirit.
8. Under the Influence- A Guide to the Myths and Realities of Alcoholism
This book helps dispel all of the misinformation and myths surrounding addiction recovery that can damage people’s understanding of how to become sober. It discusses the myths and the true solutions to addiction recovery that the reader can use in a very practical way.
9. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Mate
The content of this book about addiction brings together an insightful and expansive view of addiction in our society. It connects the roots of addiction to childhood experience and trauma while helping the reader understand how trauma perpetuates the cycle of addiction.
10. Dry: A Memoir by Augusten Burroughs
Reading about other people’s experiences with addiction and recovery can be enlightening and inspiring. This book follows the author’s struggles with alcoholism, their time in rehab and the obstacles they faced in becoming sober.
If you are interested in learning more about addiction and how to recover, any one of these books can be a great start on your path to sobriety.