The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I was just unpacking a few boxes of books and came across one that I do not think I have ever seen anyone give a thumbs up to here. "The Addictive Personality" by Craig Nakken. It really helped me, I had admitted i was powerless over addictions, I had no choice I had tried everything to control my AexH's use. After I read this though I felt different about being powerless, I had real reasons why I was powerless. I had never found any book that really explained why to me in a way I could understand until this one. I thought it may help some of our new family members in the same way.
And I would like to know everyone's favorite or a book that made a difference to them, perhaps some of the lesser recomended ones. Those little treasures we may overlook on our own!
For anyone who does not know, I am visually impaired so finding books is somewhat difficult, the large print I need is not often used and finding things on CD is sometimes hard, but if I know what I am looking for it may be easier
I would like to know some books also. I of course have read co-dependent more. Must read. I am doing the 12 step workbook....I think it is called the 12 steps a spirtually journey. It is very helpful. The book you read is that for people who struggle with additions like workholism....anything to fill the pain? Amy
I'm a fan of Melodie Beattie's books. The Language of Letting Go and More on the Language of Letting Go. They were the first books that taught me the lesson of detachment, which is so valuable in this program. The standard Alanon books have also been incredibly helpful. I also like to read things that are a bit outside of the box. It's the anthropologist in me. For instance, The Tao of Sobriety is very interesting. I found the exercises useful eventhough I am not an addict. The beauty of recovery is that we can pick and choose what works best for us.
Having said that, when you are new to the program I would caution you not to go overboard as I did. Keep it simple. Stick to the basics of the program. Use the ODAT book along with our Alanon book. I was so desperate for answers and solutions, I went whole hog. It got me confused and I felt frustrated. Too many cooks in the kitchen I suppose! Love and blessings to you and your family.
Live strong, Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
Codependent No More -and later Beyond Codependency -both by Melodie Beatie
Adult Children of Alcoholics - I think this may be no longer in print, but used book sellers may have it. It is really an eye opener for me and my AH
The Codependent Parent - by Barbara Cottman Becnel This one I ran across at the used bookstore and it had a recomendation by Melody Beatie. It is a wonderful book and really helped me understand how I felt as a child and why, and also how to help my own children.
Outside of Al-Anon Cal these have been the basis for my recovery. I do have to agree with Karilynn, though. One can get too much at once, esp as a newcomer. I recomend that a newcomer stick to Al-Anon conference approved literature for a while until they start to feel comfortable with the recovery process.
Al-Anon has many wonderful books to offer. I started out reading the daily readers (One Day At A Time in Al-Anon, Courage To Change, and Hope For Today) and still read them every day.
Hope that helps.
In recovery,
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~Jen~
"When you come to the edge of all you know you must believe in one of two things... there will be earth on which to stand or you will be given wings." ~Unknown
I have them ALL! I have found them all to be very helpful. I spent alot of time with Love Addiciton - Pia Mellody, I go back to the Getting Them Sober - Rice books many times, I am reading the 12 and 12, I always have my Alanon book with me, and now referring to the Big Book.
From Anger to Forgiveness: A Practical Guide to Breaking the Negative Power of Anger and Achieving Reconciliation
by Earnie Larsen.
I actually found this book before I found Alanon, & liked it very much, but also didn't completely "get" it. Especially I wasn't so sure about that "reconciliation" word. Then I got to Alanon and heard that forgiveness could actually be the "opposite" of anger. Wow. I think reading this with an Alanon perspective would be a great move. (Haven't done it yet, of course; you can do it first, and tell us all how great it is!)
Thanks everyone for adding that warning about too much information too soon. I was not thinking about that during the excitememnt of actually finding the box of books I was looking for
Funny too after thinking about it, I've read alot of books and they all did at least one thing for me at the time or later when I revisited them. On a day to day basis what I found myself turning to most, and I mean read it many times a day was the pamphlet, "Merry Go Round of Denial". The tattered copy is still in my purse everywhere I go.
My aunt gave me a book "From Survival to Recovery - Growing up in an Alcoholic Home" The stories of how other people grew up and how they suceeded in the program is inspiring to me. I have read the entire book and reread portions as I need them. I find that I need to practice small steps at one time.
