Customer Reviews

Cool, Hip, and Sober: 88 Ways to Beat Booze and Drugs

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As an addiction counselor, I've read many self-help books about addiction. Cool, hip & sober is my favorite so far because of the question and answer format, the down to earth approach of the author and the believable, heart felt stories and examples of the pain and suffering of the addict and everyone around them, as well as the tough, but doable triumphs of recovery.

My family has a long history of addiction and I've been exposed to a lifetime of books, programs, literature and advice on the topic.

Cool, Hip and Sober is the ONLY "Self-Help" book I have ever read,(on any topic) that I didn't have to make myself read.

Before any form of knowledge or experience can be helpful, it must be transmitted. Bill Manville's, Cool, Hip and Sober flows into the reader's conscious without resistence and therein lies the beauty of this book.

You will want to read this book!

I have had this book for awhile having read it once and then put it on the shelf. I picked it up today and reread almost half of it when I had planned to do something else.As a sucker for anything that clearly tells the tale of our human nature- the stories here do just that. Garnered from the sober author's radio call in show, (he's sort of the sober dear Abby) the problem drinkers or persons who are not sure if what they are wrestling with is an alcoholic situation get straight answers.The authors experience was extreme- and he is an advocate for rehab and then a 12 step program. However, the stories and information here are useful to any tangental situation - they cut right to the chase. Another thing that is super refreshing is that the author really loves and embraces his sobriety and is "cool, hip and sober" For all those pub crawlers who have given up on their creativity and their dreams , it is nice to hear someone affirm that sober life is technicolor and the alternative dreary black and white. I love any text that tells the truth and this book is just filled with "stories".

*****
Of all of the books I've read about addiction, I like this one the best. It is not a textbook or in a dry informational format, but written in a question and answer format and a conversational style that is really interesting. A housemate is in rehab and so I'll be setting up a sober household and was feeling a bit deprived and concerned about all I'd be giving up. This book actually made me feel like I could be "cool, hip & sober" instead of feeling like I'm having something taken away from me--which is sad, but what I really thought deep down inside before reading the book. Instead, I was convicted about my own alcohol use and saw how being sober could be a really positive life decision, and lots of fun too.

There are 88 questions that the author answers. They are grouped into sections--the first one is "The Pleasures of Sobriety: Me, Stop Drinking? And Do What for Fun?", the second is "Everything You Wanted to Know About Addiction but Were Afraid Wouldn't Work for You: Are You Addicted? Getting Past Denial", the third "Addiction in the Saddle: How Do I Stop?", the fourth "Happy, Joyous, and Free? Recovery After Addiction, and How to Stay That Way", and lastly the afterward "The Subject is Hope".

The book is straight-up honest, frank, and well-written. It is based primarily on current research but also on the author's own extensive experience in recovery. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone who is interested in a positive approach to being sober.

Highly recommended.
*****

I got this book from the library before purchasing thinking it might be composed of specific tips or tools for addressing urges, cravings, negative thoughts, etc. It's not. While it is well-written and there are useful insights they're more in the category of finding value from people sharing in AA--not thought/behavior changing/managing tools specifically. And I don't say this pejoratively but is very much within the AA tradition. If you are looking for non-12 step approaches to recovery this isn't it :).

The Amazon rating system doesn't serve this category very well. The book isn't a 2 in the sense that it's poorly written or structured. The self-help category really needs a "I found this book useful/did not find it useful" scale. Or something.

I _was_ left with one question specific to the content as presented. Is drive-by counseling really a good idea? I found the response to #75 verging on the cavalier. It probably made for good radio, but to me it seemed cruel.

I had read this book by borrowing it initially from the public library and was so impressed with it, I went onto Amazon to purchase a copy. For anyone struggling with sobriety or with a family member, friend, etc. struggling with sobriety, I think this is an awesome book.

I found this well-written book easy to read and to understand. The straight-to-the-point real-life examples seem to answer my questions completely.

The narative flows along smoothly while making the points. If a person didn't get it the first time, the subsequent narrative of other people's situations and outcomes gives them another chance to do so.

I know a few people who will benefit from reading this book and will be thanful to Mr. Manville for writing it.