Narrative Means to Sober Ends: Treating Addiction and Its Aftermath [Hardcover]

Jonathan Diamond (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1572305665 | ISBN-13: 978-1572305663 | Publication Date: July 25, 2000 | Edition: 1

Working with clients who abuse drugs or alcohol poses formidable challenges to the clinician. Addicted persons are often confronting multiple, complex problems, from the denial of the addiction itself, to legacies of early trauma or abuse, to histories of broken relationships with parents, spouses, and children. Making matters more confusing, the treatment field is too often splintered into different approaches, each with its own competing claims. This eloquently written book proposes a narrative approach that builds a much-needed bridge between family therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and addictions counseling. Demonstrated are innovative, flexible ways to help clients form new understandings of what has happened in their lives, explore their relationships to drugs and alcohol, and develop new stories to guide and nourish their recovery.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'With eloquence, clarity, skill, and artistry, Diamond opens up a whole new perspective on the process of therapy for client and clinician, and on how narrative techniques can help in achieving recovery. Without abandoning biological or neurological research findings, he demonstrates innovative, flexible ways to help clients understand their lives and the role that drugs and alcohol play.' - Readings

'Strongly recommended for anyone interested in (or concerned about) addiction and substance abuse, this is one of the most interesting books on addiction treatment to come out in years. Diamond provides a fresh approach to the topic in a highly readable format ... All libraries need to purchase this book for the use of undergraduates, researchers, and general readers.' - Choice

From the Back Cover

"This fluent, engrossing book takes us to the heart of the therapeutic relationship, into the experience of the therapist and the inner lives of clients. Powerful elements of 12-step approaches are interwoven with narrative therapy's brilliant use of letter writing. The poetic energy of Diamond's voice ties these strands together as he provides his own vivid commentary and reflections. Therapists, teachers, students, and concerned general readers should find in this book instruction without tears." Lynn Hoffman, ACSW, author of Exchanging Voices

"Ever wonder how therapy feels to a recovering addict? Then you'll want to read this book and its many accounts of pain, loss, suffering, and recovery. Stories of survival tell more than any diagnosis about what has gone wrong in a person's life--some of the more impressive letters included in this book are addressed to the substance that started the addiction. Reading these stories and learning of their role in treatment, we begin to see how the images and metaphors that go into their telling are healing in their own right. Instead of punctuating his sessions with interpretations, Diamond weaves a coherent account that tries to make sense of an often-interrupted past, and his clients are clearly grateful." Donald P. Spence, PhD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, UMDNJ; author of Narrative Truth and Historical Truth

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 386 pages
• Publisher: Guilford Press; 1 edition (July 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572305665
• ISBN-13: 978-1572305663
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,054,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a crossover book with depth!, January 7, 2001

By 

Meryl H. Joseph (Monterey, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Narrative Means to Sober Ends: Treating Addiction and Its Aftermath (Hardcover)

With great sensitivity and understanding, Dr. Diamond takes us on a poignant and poetic journey with his clients -- all of whom were transformed by the narrative approach to their struggles. This book offers a positive and refreshingly creative look at issues that have universal significance. A compelling read that touches the heart as well as the mind. I gifted my family and friends with this book, and highly recommend you do the same.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Anyone Who Knows an Alcoholic, December 5, 2000

By 

Martha Sweezy (Cambridge, MA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Narrative Means to Sober Ends: Treating Addiction and Its Aftermath (Hardcover)

This beautifully written book describes the author's clinical discovery and use of the power of letter writing for (initially) adolescent alcohol and drug abusers whose lives had left them with too much felt and unsaid. It teaches patience and realism in the face of addiction while unfurling a technique which builds compassion and connection on both sides of the treatment equation. Hurray for Jonathan Diamond! I look forward to his next book and recommend this one wholeheartedly to professionals and laypersons alike.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exactly what title describes, April 23, 2010

By 

Tonya Delaune - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Narrative Means to Sober Ends: Treating Addiction and Its Aftermath (Paperback)

I think this is a great book describing narrative therapy. Easy to understand and follow.