Customer Reviews

The Miracle Method: A Radically New Approach to Problem Drinking

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

 

 

I read this book after pretty much exhausting every other possibility for recovery from alcoholic drinking. Berg and Kim present an approach that is radically different from any other I've encountered. Their main thesis seems to be, "Start acting as you expect to act when you're sober, but do it NOW." The idea is that by incorporating healthy habits into your life immediately, you can actually begin to learn how to be sober before hitting bottom. The book is very clearly and forcefully written, with helpful case studies to illustrate the main ideas. I was able to make substantial progress on my own behavior through the methods described here. I highly recommend it!

wcdancer appears to be under the impression that Audrey Kishline is somehow associated with this book. In fact, though, her book was a completely separate one and she is not one of the authors of this book at all. Potential readers should weigh wcdancer's opinions accordingly. :-)

This book presents common-sense methods for changing your life, essentially by beginning to live the life you want to live eventually. It's not the single best thing I ever read, but it's a breath of fresh air compared to the dreary old advice to abase yourself, label yourself defective and diseased, and turn your entire life over to "God as we understood Him."

If you're a devoted 12-stepper, this may anger or even frighten you. If you're looking for a more positive approach which doesn't condemn you to obsessing over alcohol for the rest of your life, you might like this. It's certainly worth a read.

This book is an excellent resource for those seeking a well established alternative to the pathology/deficit/disease focus of traditional 12-Step programs. I believe the reviewer who rated this book with 1 star was confused on its origns. Audrey Kishline is the founder of Moderation Management while Insoo Kim Berg (a contributor) & Steve de Shazer (both out of Milwaukee) are the founders of the Brief Solution Focus Method of Therapy. MM was founded as self-help group. BSF was developed by educated and trained therapists with practical experience. The Brief Solution Focus Method serves as the foundation for this book. A couple of it's main points are: there is hope for the future and there is no "one size fits all program." It is an excellent read whether or not you accept its premise.

I have bought several copies of this book to hand to clients. This is a program that works for those who are not interested, for whatever reason, in attending 12-Step meetings. I have had the privelege of attending workshops on this subject by both authors, and feel that the book completly and concisely presents their point of view on the subject of stopping unproductive behaviors of any kind. A "must have" in the library of any therapist dealing with addictions and of any person trying to control their unproductive drinking habits.

I'm amazed that this book, running at 172 pages, can contain so much wisdom and such straight-to-the point advice - both for people who have a drinking problem and for therapists.
In fact, it is so good that people interest in Psychology, in general, should give it a try.
It will be especially useful - as other reviewers have pointed out - to people who have been to AA and have not had much success.
The title is cheesy - and the authors readily admit so. But hey, sometimes all it takes to solve a problem is a miracle.

This book is filled with good "common" sense, but sometimes common sense isn't so common. It brings certain points to the surface that we as addicts overlook. We tend to be negative in thinking because of the programs we are invol;ved in and this book guides you towards the positve things we have in our favor.