Addiction is a complicated disease, so it stands to reason that its treatment is complex as well. There are many factors that go into a complete, effective treatment program, including inpatient and/or outpatient therapy, behavioral therapies, medication-assisted treatment, and support groups. One thing that many people overlook, however, is self-help or self-guided improvement. One way to do this is by reading about the experiences others have had, learning from them, and incorporating what you can into your own recovery. There are more books about addiction and recovery out there than could be discussed in a year, but the following are just a sampling of some of the most recommended.
Before we get into books for people already struggling with addiction, there are some that are aimed at helping young children understand it and hopefully prevent them from using drugs in the future. For just one example, Stoney the Pony, by Linda Myers, is meant for children ages two to five, about a pony who can’t stop eating peppermint candies. He becomes so addicted that he ends up stealing some, at which point his friends are so concerned that they stage an intervention. It might sound silly, but the candy metaphor is something that children can easily relate to, and it’s a good way to start teaching them about moderation.
In the fiction category, many of the books about addiction are so frankly disturbing as to deter people from wanting to use drugs. Trainspotting, for example, is a black comedy about heroin use that involves vivid descriptions of withdrawal and the descent of its users into violence, theft, and unsafe sex. Another is Requiem for a Dream, in which one character develops psychosis as a result of her amphetamine use and another starts trading sex for heroin. These books might be written more for entertainment than educational purposes, but their portrayal of drug use is shockingly real.
For non-fiction, there’s the Basketball Diaries, which are actually the edited version of the diaries the author kept as a teenager, chronicling the heroin use that began when he was 13 years old. In My Skin is another true account, this time of a woman who went from a comfortable suburban life to heroin addiction that she financed by turning to prostitution.
On to more traditional self-help books. This is a huge industry – Americans spent about $1.24 billion on self-improvement books and audiobooks in 2014 alone. For a more light-hearted selection, 365 Ways to Have Fun Sober is a fun but important read detailing the ways to keep from backsliding into substance abuse by way of boredom. Inside Rehab: The Surprising Truth About Addiction Treatment – and How to Get Help That Works draws on interviews with more than two hundred clients and professionals at treatment facilities, sharing people’s experiences and providing suggestions on how to choose the right program for you.
Again, this is a very tiny sampling of the books out there. A quick Internet search will yield results on nearly every topic imaginable, so if you feel like you could use some motivation or advice (or a good scare), just give it a try.
If you or a loved one need help with quitting drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504 to get started.
