Genres: Alcoholism & Addiction, Recovery, Self Help
Format: Kindle, Paperback
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What is and isn’t Working for the Alcoholic and Addict by Alberta Sequerira
Description:
Do you ever wonder why some alcoholics and drug addicts recover and put their lives together while others die from this horrible worldwide problem? What gives them the physical and mental strength to fight this battle and come out winning? These questions, and the author’s tragedy to losing her husband and daughter from their alcohol abuse, encouraged this writing. Here is a book, not only for the substance abusers, but for family members, society, doctors, and counselors to learn, not only what the addict is looking for with support to help them through with their recovery, but new ways to help the addicted. You will learn that childhood emotional wounds mold us into what we become in adulthood. What is and isn’t Working for the Alcoholic and Addict is a book of personal stories by thirty-four alcoholics and drug users from all walks of life. The first few years of recovery in substance abuse contain numerous pitfalls which addicts in recovery must have the right kind of help with. The best-intention of friends, family, lovers, and co-workers can be healthy supports or obstacles to long-term sobriety. Addicts sharing their experience, strength and hope with others is something that only a recovering addict or alcoholic can do. It is a unique gift. This book contains the testimonies of individuals who were or are actively in a recovery program and wanted to share their habit and actions with their struggles trying to overcome their own addiction. Their main goal is to help others who are fighting with their recovery and sobriety. These are their own stories on how their addiction led to the devastation of losing control of their life, family, friends and the death of other family members from this disease we call Alcoholism. Their desire is to lift other substances abusers, especially young people, in learning the reality that it’s not that drinking and taking drugs may, could or would kill. It will. Hopefully, the heartfelt honesty from the participants will help doctors and counselors to use their stories for their own study on what may be missing in the treatment methods. The personal testaments within What is and isn’t Working for the Alcoholic and Addict is an added tool as to how people are affected, and how they suffer long-term drinking habits from living in an active alcoholic family. As one contributor wrote, “I was tired of getting sick, my hands shaking, my vision deteriorating, my nose bleeding, my bowels moving sporadically, the violence and running from many situations being paranoid to the point of staying home all day (I had a job, a husband, family), not sleeping and not feeling safe.” What alcoholic or addict is not going to relate to these emotions?
In her supportive book, What is and isn’t Working for the Alcoholic and Addict, Alberta Sequerira pulls off the blinders allowing us to see the hidden pain of alcohol and drug abuse from the users themselves. You’ll be taken down some dark alleys through the years of highs and lows as the users tell their story of what is or isn’t working for them.
This book offers a way for family, friends, coworkers and/or counselors to better understand the working of the addict/alcoholic mind. What better way is there to know the struggles than in their own words?
What is and isn’t Working for the Alcoholic and Addict by Alberta Sequerira provides heartfelt dialog from 34 substance abusers. The stories are shared directly from those in an active recovery program. Their honest recall about the push-pull the addiction has on them gives loved ones and others insight into the struggles the addict/alcoholic faces to free themselves from their addiction.
From the users themselves, you’ll learn that freedom from taking the next drink, pill, or fix isn’t a done deal but a daily, sometimes minute by minute, gut-wrenching physical, mental and spiritual decision to stay clean and sober.
You’ll understand the user’s desire for you to look past their disease to seeing them as humans first. Many began the path to addiction early in life, some in childhood. At times the detail in their stories will remind you of a movie unfolding showing a lifetime of struggle against established lifestyle patterns and interactions.
The author, Alberta Sequeria has firsthand knowledge of the disease with heartbreak in her own family. The experiences have led her to reach out to others suffering and offer hope for a better future. She has created educational opportunities for users and families alike to better understand the addict/alcoholic mindset.
This book provides the dialog for taking the next step for recovery. If you want a raw picture of the addict/alcoholic’s struggles, and desire to help, read What is and isn’t Working for the Alcoholic and Addict. You’ll discover ways to help that’ll open the door for communication. This is a must-read mental health book for recovery options. What is and isn’t Working for the Alcoholic and Addict by Alberta Sequerira is highly recommended by Chick Lit Café.
Reviewed by CJ Bowen for CLC
