Sober Siblings: How to Help Your Alcoholic Brother or Sister-and Not Lose Yourself [Paperback]

Patricia Olsen (Author), M.D. Petros Levounis M.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2008

In the vein of Adult Children of Alcoholics comes the first book geared specifically to the siblings of alcoholics. Patricia Olsen, sister of two alcoholic brothers, shares her personal experiences along with interviews with other sober siblings, while Petros Levounis, M.D., the director of The Addiction Institute of New York and chief of addiction psychology at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals in New York City, offers expert advice. Whether the alcoholic is in recovery or relapsed, in AA or therapy, Sober Siblings helps brothers and sisters gain greater awareness of their own situation, offering practical wisdom and suggestions on: feelings of shame, frustration, hopelessness, and anger; the difference between helping and enabling; setting boundaries; the nature of alcoholism; coaddictions; and how to help your sibling while not losing yourself.

Editorial Reviews

Review

LibraryJournal.com
"This may be the first work specifically addressed to adult siblings of alcoholics. Clear and comprehensive, it is recommended for public libraries."

About the Author

Patricia Olsen has written for many publications, including the New York Times, USA Weekend, the Chicago Tribune, Family Circle, and Spirituality & Health. She lives in New Jersey.

Petros Levounis, M.D., M.A., is the director of The Addiction Institute of New York and chief of addiction psychiatry at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals in New York City.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600940552
• ISBN-13: 978-1600940552
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #192,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If Your Sister or Brother drinks too much too often, July 7, 2008

By 

amharv (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sober Siblings: How to Help Your Alcoholic Brother or Sister-and Not Lose Yourself (Paperback)

Sober Siblings is the book that someone should give you when your sister or brother is a hopeless drunk. For the sober and responsible one in the family, this slim paperback will tamp down your anguish and allow you to see your family's situation more clearly. There are simple suggestions for setting boundaries, avoiding nasty scenes with the drunk, and even coping with a parent who is too involved with the drinker. The book explains the additional psychological or physical problems that may dog the drinker, and even the kinds of therapy you might find useful. A true bonus, the tone of voice of the two authors, one a sober sibling and one an addiction guru, makes readers feel as if -- at last -- they've found the knowledgeable, sympathetic guide they needed so badly.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars bklyngirl, November 17, 2008

By 

C. Schreer "Book Goddess" (NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sober Siblings: How to Help Your Alcoholic Brother or Sister-and Not Lose Yourself (Paperback)

How to help your alcoholic brother or sister and not lose yourself . . . can well be applied to a toxic friend. Combining Ms. Olsen's personal experience and Dr. Levounis (Director: The Addiction Institute of New York) straight forward direction, this book addresses all emotional and dependent stresses on the person trying to help the addicted or emotionally toxic person in your life. This is a must read for anyone touched by this type of tragic situation and their own feeling of helplessness and setting boundaries.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging and Supportive Book on Maintaining a Relationship with an Alcoholic Sibling, July 17, 2008

By 

dslnh (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sober Siblings: How to Help Your Alcoholic Brother or Sister-and Not Lose Yourself (Paperback)

There are personal recollections throughout this book which offer a window into the dysfunctional nature of alcoholic families. These stories link to clearly defined guidelines for coping and getting help. The book is very user friendly and well organized in terms of the topics covered so it serves as an easy reference. Dr. Levounis, a psychiatrist and renowned expert on addiction, includes comments based on current medical data as well as examples culled from his years of clinical practice. Both authors Patricia Olsen and Dr. Levounis seek to assuage the guilt and trauma of this stressful situation and are compassionate advocates for both the sober sibling and the affected family member. They offer practical advice on how to reevaluate the relationship and how to adjust expectations and parameters to establish a healthier bond that respects both individuals' responsibilities and needs. Since alcohol and drug addiction is so pervasive and causes so much heartache, a great many families could benefit from the wisdom in this book.