Customer Reviews

Rational Recovery: The New Cure for Substance Addiction

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As a tried and true AA retread, I finally got disgusted enough with myself to quit drinking nearly 4.5 years ago. I thought that since I had never been hospitalized, I would go through an out-patient program. I did, but they insisted I attend AA meetings. I wasn't thrilled with this requirement, and I drew the line at having an "attendance sheet" signed, but I did go to the meetings. I think that I was so thoroughly committed to not drinking, it almost didn't matter where I went, or what the philosophy was, but after a couple of years, the AA dogma was wearing thin. I picked up Jack Trimpey's book "Rational Recovery", and it spoke volumes to me. No more of the disease, powerless, meetings till you die propaganda. This is replaced by understanding the Beast will likely always want you to "join the party, and have a drink", while the person who runs the show has made other plans. I am so glad that there is an alternative, proactive, healthy and responsible way of dealing with alcohol dependance. Thank you Jack Trimpey for having the courage to say so.

I have been in and out of AA for over 20 years. I always felt animosity, right from the start, with the program. Although people were friendly, the "old timers" seemed to be almost cultish to me. And the meetings had so many RULES!

For someone with authority issues, (I have found common on people with alcohol problems), this was the last thing I needed.

Then there are the slogans. I felt an AA "Dictionary" should be made available to those of us who didn't know all these, because most people spoke their entire "sharing stories" sprinkled with them.

I admit at first I felt mad at the world so I attributed this to why I felt so angry. I am sure that was part of it.

But as time went on and my drinking became a real problem I got real serious about finding a way to stop.

I am not against AA for everyone but for me it wasn't working, even when I tried all the exercises.

I especially balked at the forth step, where I was supposed to recount all my wrong doings I had done while drinking, and THEN report these to someone else. This to me is like beating a dead horse--most people, I would say ALL who have crossed the line from social to addictive drinking, KNOW full and well what they have done and have beat themselves up over it time and again.

In fact-- that is, why in my opinion, so many return to booze, or whatever took them away from this pain--to forget how bad they messed up. And so the cycle goes on.

I had stopped going to AA when I was critized for bringing up an idea that was not sanctioned by AA--that was not part of the very limtited view of the "Big Book". I was looking for somewhere to turn and found the book, "Why Alcoholics Anonymous Failed Me". While this book at least made me feel vindicated somehow, that I was not alone, it was Jack Trimpey's book that helped me use a method to overcome my addiction. I have used the dialog with myself and "the Beast" many times, and it has worked for me.

Most of all it gives me the satisfaction that I am in control of my life, and my drinking is a choice-- one can choose not to make. Most people with a problem need to know they are in control or can be. I found this to be a simple, easy solution to help me. And I did it during divorce proceedings, a time when in the past I would have turned to drinking and made things worse.

Another book I found extremely helpful to read when I am feeling down about things, is "The Seat of the Soul". I did not read the entire book, but the chapter on Addictions spoke to me. And I keep it around when I need a fix on being empowered, as well as using Trimpey's method.

Yes Virginia there is an alternative from AA. If it works for you I am happy. I am also happy I found this book, because AA did NOT work for me.

I never believed that AA would work nor could I subscribe to the philosophy of powerlessness so I never bothered. This left me with no alternatives it seemed.

I finally walked to my favorite bookstore downtown San Francisco one Monday morning after yet another pitiful Sunday of hangover recovery. Tired of feeling unable to control my binge drinking and the irresponsible behavior that fell out from it, I located (with some assistance from a man at the information desk) the section on Addictions. He not only walked me to the section, which was pretty good sized, but also recommended Rational Recovery when I described my need to understand addiction.

Not only does the book describe it in great detail, but also describes what it takes to control it. After reading, I feel hope for a better future without alcohol. I have learned that the trigger will always come on to binge drink with that first drink and so abstinence will be my only option. I have done some mental rehearsing and visualization on how to manage social situations and have already put them into practice once. It felt good to be in a group of drinking people and to realize I had no desire to drink.

I know that there will be challenges ahead but I know "it" and know "it's" voice very well. "It" will never be as strong as I am.

So simply and without much fanfare, I humbly offer my gratitude to Rational Recovery for giving me hope.

I'm very glad to see that there are other people out in the world whohave made the rational decision to stop drinking. The disease modelsupported and disseminated by AA is dangerous--it attaches a"loser" label onto people who are at their most vulnerable. The fact that they will carry this label around with them for the rest of their lives is diabolically harmful.

As a teacher, I know that attaching labels onto vulnerable people does real damage. Look into any classroom that has the stigma of being considered remedial, and you'll see what I mean. Kids in those classes don't perform well because they lack the self-esteem to do so. Jack Trimpey is right on the money when he says that the AA model perpetuates low self-esteem and white-knuckle sobriety. The changes, according to Trimpey, have to come from within. The problem is that that is hard work--something the "keep coming back" policy of AA discourages.... As some of the stories recounted in Trimpey's book tell us, AA members willingly....abdicate their responsibility....

I agree with Trimpey's ideas about positive reinforcement. I know most students I teach do better when I give them positive models to follow, when I set goals for them that challenge them and make them feel like they are the masters of their own destiny. Instead of negative reinforcement found in AA, why not choose the alternative of the positive kind of reinforcement outlined in this book? The kind of changes Trimpey talks about are more difficult, but ultimately more rewarding.

Like many problem drinkers, I tried AA. I too found it hostile to my very real desire to stop drinking. I felt suffocated in meetings and although I only attended a few, I have my share of AA horror stories.

I admire what Trimpey is attempting to do--he's taking on the whole 12-step industry. It's about time someone did.

I am a fan of Jack Trimpey's. However, even I was a little put off by his anti-AA comments initially. I turned around, though, when I learned more. Those anti-AA comments are necessary for those of us in the public who haven't learned the truth about AA yet. And, it's impossible to learn the truth because schools, courts, television, articles, and "experts", seem to all spew the same party line. . . that AA is the "only way" and that AA is successful.

In fact, AA is not the only way to be successful, and all of the studies that has been done over the years have proven that alcoholism is NOT a disease and that AA and 12 step treatment is absolutely NOT successful. In fact, there have been studies that prove those that quit drinking using AA are LESS successful than those that quit without AA. So, to the reviewer who passes on the erroneous information that AA has a proven track record, the truth is that AA does NOT have a proven track record. Or, to be more concise, their proven track record is that it doesn't work for 95% or MORE of the people that try it. Some evidence has shown that it's actually DETRIMENTAL to those trying to quit drinking. And, evidence has shown MORE people are successful on their own. Furthermore, those that try and "recover" with AA-- who have been indoctrinated with the AA philosophy (pure folkwisdom) have a MORE difficult time moderating or abstaining than those who haven't been brainwashed into believing they ar powerless and have no control over their addictions. For a more comprehensive look at this, look at The Truth About Addiction and Recovery, by Stanton Peele. Peele doesn't share his opinions only, he shares his opinions based on the results of many many studies done over the past decades. . . even the studies that AA quotes as proof for the disease model. Peele gives the entire story and sources it thoroughly.

Go do a search with the words "aa cult" and read what you come up with. AA is indocrination, pure and simple. It's not a quit drinking program. And, unfortunately, those schools that introduce 12step programs, court officials, television shows, articles, and "experts" either don't know the truth or have a hidden agenda (like the massive money poured into treatment centers that have been scientifically proven not to be successful). My point is, somebody has to speak the truth and I completely respect Trimpey for doing so.

AVRT works and it's SIMPLE. Trimpey's correct. Make the decision to quit, do it, and go work on your life if you need to. If you have anger problems while you're drinking, you might have anger problems when you quit. But, at least your mind will be clear from the alcohol and you will be actually able to WORK on those anger problems.

Or, end up in neverending "recovery"-- only socializing with other addicts and self-professed sick people. WHich makes more sense? Surrounding yourself with others that profess to be sick and need the comfort of other sick people for daily meetings for decades? Or, does it make more sense to take charge of your life and live in a healthy balanced way while surrounding yourself with others that live balanced and healthy lives?

The absolute only fault I have with this book is that, despite the fact Trimpey does not accept the disease-model of alcoholism as a disease, he firmly believes one can never drink again. In fact, studies have proven that many have successfully moderately drank again although they once struggled with addiction. Once the addiction is conquered, it's conquered. In theory, then, one could moderately drink sometime in the future. As a matter of fact, it has been also shown that those who DO drink moderately in the future are, in fact, more well-adjusted than those that permanently abstain or drink too much.

This is really a small issue, though. Conquer the addiction and improve your life.

I have been addicted to sex for about 13 years now. I have read various books and have tried various techniques for overcoming my addiction, but nothing has helped like this book. After reading this book and applying the book's principles, I have been free from my addiction for 10 months now. I have found nothing else, which has been as effective as this program. I am currently a medical student with a background in neuroscience and the philosophy presented in the book, although certainly more simplistically said, is right in line with current biological models of addiction. I believe my understanding of this fact was certainly one reason this book's techniques worked for me. I don't know if it will work for everyone, but I tried just about everything else; from sex addicts annonymous, to personal therapy from trained therapists and nothing worked. I am eternally grateful for Mr. Trimpey and his presentation of this material.

After struggling through 12 years of on-and-off sobriety in AA, reinforced by their notion that we are "powerless" over alcohol, I finally arrived at the truth. Jack clearly demonstrates that not only are we *not* powerless over alcohol, but that achieving permanent abstinence is a simple process. I used to be a "recovering alcoholic" who's only hope for the future was tentative one-day-at-a-time sobriety, with daily meetings, and never-ending quests of "self-discovery". That is not hope, that is pathetic. RR offers hope. I am filled with hope! This system works! I do not drink, for I have chosen not to. Nor will I ever take another drink. Nor will I ever change my mind! I have 100% confidence that this is so. Talk about a spiritual awakening -- AA does not even come close!

Go ahead, squander your life away in AA. Or get a life with Rational Recovery. The choice is yours (and contrary to the beliefs of the 12-steppers, you *do* have a choice of whether or not to abstain from alcohol for life.)

Rational recovery does one thing that AA never will-- empower the individual. Rational recovery shows you that you can control your own behavior, that you don't have to spend the rest of your life dependent on a drug or a group. Step one of AA, on the other hand, is declaring yourself POWERLESS to control your own behavior and quit drugging. Sure, some people need AA to quit drinking because they can't accept the fact that the power to quit has always been theirs. But for all the people out there that still believe in themselves, who don't understand how sitting in a room full of relapsing drunks is supposed to help, Rational Recovery offers a way of thinking that works. As a psychologist with an ex-alcoholic husband, I ought to know.

Outstanding book. As an alcohol addict for over 30 years, I had made several attempts at abstenance. Alcoholics Anonymouse, although a wonderful organization responsible for helping countless numbers of people deal with their addictions, never really felt right for me. Rational Recovery, a self proclaimed alternative to AA however, provided me the tool I've been looking for to kick my addiction. The book gets down to business as soon as you pick up the book providing the basic strategy for beating your addiction.

...and I found it in Trimpey's RR. This book is a no-nonsense approach to ending substance addictions FOREVER. I tried AA and it was an abysmal experience for me because I could not accept the Judeo-Christian aspects of the "program." Also, I got tired of sitting in smoke filled rooms listening to depressing stories of "alcoholics in recovery." After reading this book and understanding the concepts presented by Trimpey, I realized that I am not powerless over anything, expecially a liquid substance that I know is detrimental to my health.

I am no longer "alcoholic," thanks to this book. I am an ex-drinker and I will never drink again.

If AA is not working for you, THERE ARE OTHER OPTIONS. This book is just one of those options.

However, if you are in AA, and the program is working for you - that is great. It just didn't work for me.