4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A powerful, captivating and inspiring book!, July 29, 2008
This review is from: Loved Back to Life (Paperback)
"Loved Back to Life" is a powerful, fascinating examination about the harsh realities of alcoholism and drug addiction.
AJ Crowell captivates the reader right from the beginning as she reveals her life story from childhood, through alcoholism, drug addiction and into recovery. Her own story is very compelling but she also utilizes the stories of other recovering alcoholics and shares their experience, strength and hope.
The chilling yet inspiring stories in this book are not only for those suffering from substance abuse, but for anyone who is dealing with a person in his life who suffers from addiction. Her goal is for readers to "acknowledge and reconsider the negative stigma that is attached to alcoholism, and understand how this bias often lingers even after an alcoholic is sober for years."
AJ also reveals how substance abusers will go to any length to hide their disease so that they appear normal on the outside. This book can definitely act as a guide to determine if someone you know may need help for his or her addictions.
Crowell's courage to not only survive but thrive is apparent as she guides the reader though her own recovery process. She clearly demonstrates the necessity of having a higher power, journaling, support group meetings, helping others, using mentors and several other valuable ideas. Recovery from the life threatening illness of addiction is a lifelong process and a recovering addict must always be working his program. It is a sad reality that a person with years of sobriety can relapse and die if she stops working her program.
The strength of Crowell's work is that she acknowledges the horrors of being addicted but shows the struggling addict that there is a way out. Her passion to recover and lead a joyful, meaningful life is very moving. She shows tremendous gratitude for her life in good times and bad and is determined to share her experience to benefit others. As the "Big Book of Alcoholic Anonymous" promises," she does not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it."
As a recovering alcoholic, Amy is the type of person I would love to have in my home recovery group. The unconditional love that she genuinely demonstrates for other people is heartwarming. Her life-time goal is to educate millions of people about alcoholism and drug addiction and "Loved Back to Life" is a wonderful start to fulfill her ambition.
Dr. Larry Smith D.C., B.P.E.
Author of Embracing the Journey of Recovery
http://embracingthejourneybook.com/
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best book to hit the shelves, August 3, 2008
This review is from: Loved Back to Life (Paperback)
The best book to hit the shelves about the struggle thru addition into a productive life. It even has tips for parents who think that their children may be struggling as well as a self help test for the readers themselves. It was hard to put down.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Information and Inspiration, July 30, 2008
This review is from: Loved Back to Life (Paperback)
Amy, your book is virtually an encyclopaedia of addiction. There is so much wonderful information and inspiration in 'Loved Back To Life', for addicts and non-addicts alike, including the self-tests in your book.
There was an interesting reference to a statistic,"Teenagers whose parents talk to them on a regular basis about the dangers of drug use are 42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents do not."
That reference completely affirms for me that this is a topic no longer to be denied, and to be brought out in the open for discussion in our families and communities.
Your book provides great access to opening up that very important, and often avoided conversation. Being drunk and being alcoholic, are poles apart.
Your book is a must read for anyone with an addiction, or who knows someone who is addicted - to anything.
Thea Westra
Thought Leader And Author
www.forwardsteps.com.au
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