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From Death Do I Part: How I Freed Myself From Addiction

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When I read Amy's book, I was immersed in her experiences and very touched. It took amazing courage to share her story, and while reading it I could not help but reflect on my own challenges. I was left with a deep feeling of hope and inspiration by the time I completed the book. It feels so true that loving oneself and being kind and compassionate to oneself is a part of successfully getting through the pain. Beautifully, Amy also talks about extending compassion not only to oneself, but also to those around you who may mean well, but don't understand what you're going through. The following is my favorite quote from Amy's book. "There is a foundation of love inside of each of us that we can experience. When we clean off the mud of unhealthy substances and fears, we can know and feel that love." Amy describes how this foundation led to her change of heart and gave her the confidence to pull through her painful circumstances and feelings. I would suggest this book to anyone and everyone, but especially to those who struggle with feeling hopeless and alone. You may be amazed at how Amy's story will shed light on your own feelings and struggles, and how one who has been through it all was able to change her life.

From Death Do I Part: How I Freed Myself From Addiction is a MUST READ for anyone struggling with any type of substance abuse and has not found "recovery" in the over-popular, yet mostly ineffective, 12-Step treatment model. Amy is a living, healthy example of a person who CHANGED HER MIND and CHANGED HER LIFE.

She writes honestly about how it feels to be stuck in a struggle with yourself that can end, with the right tools, which are self, love and positive action. Her life was stolen in her teen years, just like so many are, when she was forced into treatment, then told she was powerless over herself, people, places and things.

Amy has taken her life back and has the courage to tell the world with her book, her website and her music. Her accomplishments are incredible proof that there is life after substance abuse - it doesn't have to include a sentence to misery, suffocation and spending hours on end re-hashing the past in meetings.

Walking away from the lies, the labels and misinformation we are all force fed by media, doctors, parents, etc. is scary and it's hard, but not impossible. Amy writes candidly about her experience and provides a wonderful example of the epic power we all have access to, as long as we are allowed to find it. Amy shows us how through her own story. I would recommend this book (and do) to anyone who has been touched by substance abuse.

Finally, Amy's writing is engaging, easy to relate to and a miracle for all of us who thought there was something wrong when we "couldn't make it" the Anonymous way. I thought I was a dismal failure. Amy made me realize I am not alone in what I went through and that alternative solutions are available.

After decades of disaster, my life is FINALLY my own. Bravo, Amy. Thank you.

Amy Lee Coy is both remarkable, and standard issue. She would be the last person to claim that she has special powers. Yet, she did something most Americans consider impossible - quitting a decades' long, heavy-duty drinking problem (along with smoking, anorexia, and one or two other addictions) without professional assistance - meds, AA and its 12 steps, or psychiatrists. More than that, in Amy's view, she first had to OVERCOME these albatrosses to secure her recovery. Sound remarkable, amazing, impossible? You won't feel that way after reading about her perfectly-human, hard-fought and hard-won, but only too sensible and logical, approach to curing herself of addiction. Read Amy's story - and low-key advice - and rejoice in your own strength while weeping over the state of addiction treatment in the U.S.A.

Sometimes in your life, you pick just the right book for the right time that makes you remember how connected you are to others of 'like-minded' people and because of that, you read about anothers story that sounds exactly like your story and it gives you hope, hope that you too will win. When someone else finds redemption for themselves, it gives us all hope that we can find it too and win the war within ourselves, no matter what that may be. In this case, for me, it's the war of my addiction, the war of wanting more more more and getting less less less and by this, ending up in a hole so dark and dank, that I truly thought I could not make it out. After 35 years of self abuse of alcohol, chemicals, nicotine, shopping, you name it, I finally decided to STOP. Making it out is not easy, and what an understatement that is! Still going thru it, but by reading Amy's book, and realizing that I'm not the only 'lonely' one on the path of recovery, because 12 stepping it all my life has not brought me a thing but more guilt, I've realized that I'm not alone, there are many of us people that need help WAY beyond the 12 step programs. We need help for our BODIES, SPIRITS, that have been so damaged by our abuses .. This book will give you hope that you too can be redeemed and renewed and on the path of survival... Well done Amy Lee Coy - THANK YOU! I've also read her children's book, Duke Devlin and the Daring Dogie - try it also, it's not just for kids.. u will "get it" when you read it.... Love and Light to all those on the 'path'... robyn anthony

Amy, congratulations on your book. I enjoyed it greatly. Your heart and soul went into it and it shows.

You convey a very sensitive nature, caring nature. Which, when harnessed and not working against us like when we were drinking, conveys really well a message of how important it is to treat yourself as well as others, and that you are responsible for this, but it does so with re-assurance and kindness.

And it stands out as to why you think it is worth it through your own positive examples of how it has worked for you.

One of the things that really affects people, in my experience, is their sense of shame when reflecting back on things that occurred while drinking (or before). You've bared your soul in telling the world about past and the various other things which happened, but made it clear that "yes, these things happened to me, or I did things while drunk, but they are not my definition. Quite the opposite."

That positive example is really important, especially for women. It will surely help many people heal that pain. And again, you give examples of how you did it and how worthwhile it was. It's not only brave but can save lives as it makes people realize they are not alone, are a good person despite their past, and that to come out the other side into the light is a real triumph.

As the book unfolds, again, your creative, compassionate, considerate and kind nature shows again, and you demonstrate yourself as someone who has pushed through these feelings' tendency to overwhelm. And you explain how you did it. That gives people hope, which you've really emphasised hard, and it also gives people options as to how they might do it.

Someone really linear for example (say, a computer programmer) might disagree as it doesn't suit them to do it your way. And you've stressed that too which is great - your (the reader's) way is the way and the results are your barometer. You have really strong views on certain issues and you've earned them, and for me personally I agree with many of your viewpoints. However,
you have been extremely fair minded and stressed people find their own way. I really thought this was great, because despite your various experiences you were impartial. However you told why it didn't work for you.

This is so important as it encourages people to understand they have many options, and you can tailor them to fit you. And again, your supportive voice shone through which was so encouraging.
For people in your shoes it may save many lives, this point alone - as a reader it states clearly that if it doesn't work and you can see why, don't blindly persist. Trust yourself, use the available resources and know your solution IS there.....you just haven't found it yet.

You can get into pretty difficult waters here as an author or indeed anyone with an opinion, and many people do as they are coloured by their experience to the point of blindness. They can and do take some pretty dangerous stances. Medication and certain treatments didn't work for you but again you handle this well, remain impartial and don't ever give the impression you have all the answers. You stress individual solutions but warn against expecting chemicals to do the work. And you give lots of food for thought about "conventional" treatment that many have found is a waste of time, unless you are a shareholder in the outfit, of course, or it pays your wages. Hopefully it encourages people to keep asking questions and finding the answers they need.

Amy, you are a Warrior of the Light and it shows. And it will bring others alongside you. No doubt that's already happening. Best wishes - you have a great voice and after all, have only started - judging by your website you will continue to build on this wonderful book I'm sure.

I noticed on your website, you are beginning workshops soon. As judged by your book, the other writing you've done, and your media appearances, I am sure they'll be terrifically successful.

"From Death Do I Part" by Amy Lee Coy is a must read for anyone who is seeking alternative ways to free themselves from addiction and also for anyone who in a professional capacity is helping others to get past their addictions. Amy shares with total honesty her journey from a virtual and actual hell to a place of balance and purpose. The established mental health programs did not work for her. Nor did the many meetings of support groups such as AA produce any lasting change. In her book Amy recounts how she came to recognize that only you can change your life, even though it requires tons of patience, compassion, love, and support, especially from and for yourself. She provides valuable insight on how to be with feelings and thoughts that seem quite harmful and to transform them to allies in strengthening your will and balancing your life.

I loved Amy Lee Coy's book . From the moment I began it I wanted to take my time. Breathing in each interesting chapter. I loved how short the chapters where as well. There were times were I was so moved I just had to put it down and wait a few days for it to digest, sink in. I cried, I laughed. I was touched deeply how Amy discovered for herself a way out of addiction with no help from AA or rehab. I came from this world and I was so happy to hear her story of new insight that involved being kind to oneself. Not beating oneself up. No public humiliation here either.
I highly recommend this to someone who needs a new way out. Also great for families and friends to open their eyes and say " Maybe pushing everyone to AA/NA and Al ANON is NOT THE ANSWER.

My dad let me borrow this book... I cried at some parts... even though I havent been into drugs or alcohol, I can related to so many things that Amy says about her feelings of depression, pain, feeling suicidal, feeling ugly, feeling alone and in so much emotional pain that you dont what to do. Also the panic attacks and sleeping in the hallway as a child, I did the very same thing. It was very inspiring to me and very helpful to me at this time since im going through a long bout of illness. Thank you for your courage and for writing it and being so open and raw about what you really went through. The steps she makes to free herself from addiction are not difficult and can be done by just about anyone. It is not an overwhelming approach to change, its very practical and even people who don't have addictions could learn from this book to better their lives and themselves.

When I first started this book, I was initially disappointed, thinking that Amy was just an indulged and pampered woman. I also felt, at the outset, I was being talked "at" rather than being taken on a journey.

HOWEVER, I am SO GLAD I stuck with the book because I can now say with humility that first impressions are not always accurate. As I progressed through the book, I found I could relate to the book on most levels. It covers stuff I thought I was alone in experiencing.

The pages of this book feel like friends and I often turn back to find a nugget of something to empower me through what I am dealing with.

Thank you, Amy, for turning your negative experiences with addiction into a huge positive and for helping others by sharing your insight, wisdom and tremendous growth. You are a legend!

Don't you love the bracing shock of splashing your face with cold water? That's how I felt every time I picked up "From Death Do I Part." Each time I read a bit more, I'd go "Wow!"

This writer's voice is dynamic and fresh, so courageous-outrageous, that her book would be important even if she wrote about something trivial. Yet trivial her topic is not. Amy Lee Coy has written a life-and-death story, based in real-life heroism, where she described some of the most moving spiritual evolution you'll ever find between covers.

From the age of 14, Amy began to drink, take drugs, receive psychiatric medication that failed her. She sat through hundreds of AA meetings that failed her. She survived horrendous stints in rehab programs that didn't.

In this courageous book, the now better-than-rehabbed author describes how she found the strength to reclaim her life. What summoned the miracle? It was Amy Lee Coy's desire to help others as well as an uncommonly analytical path of self-discovery.

Early chapters sketch the outlines of Amy's slow transition from addiction to sobriety. Coy tells just enough to provide a searing expose of America's rehab. industry. Yet she manages this without falling into self-pity - a muscular feat of balance right there!

Even if you never have struggled with an addiction of any kind, you will surely find Amy's story inspiring.

More praise of this book can be found at a review posted on Dec. 23 at the Rose Rosetree Blog, "Deeper Perception Made Practical." Here, suffice it to say that I would give more stars, if more than five were available.