Customer Reviews

Stage II Recovery: Life Beyond Addiction

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Stage II Recovery has guided me through the past eight years of my recovery. It was very important for me to be able to understand and define recovery and my particular goals. Each year, on my anniversary, I re-read this book and come up with ONE THING to work on during the year. I use the book as a way to review my progress and to keep me on line with my recovery goals. I have found that this simple, easy to read book has provided me with the guidance I need to not only maintain my sobriety but to learn to experience a full life worth living.

This book was not critical in my efforts to get sober, however with out it I could never have become as happy as I am today. I suggest that all people in recovery read it. This book first opened my eyes to the possibility that I could define recovery for myself, I did not have to rely on someone else's definition. I aimed for the sky, after being miserable most of my life I defined recovery as waking up happy every morning. Now I Do! This was just a beginning I continue to use this idea to change my life.

At 18 months of recover I was beginning to ask myself (fretfully) "Is this all there is to being sober?!" I was burning out on meetings, sick of the tedium and the platitudes, actually bored with "working the program". Then along came Larsen's book and within a few pages the light went on in my clearing (not yet cleared) brain that not drinking doesn't equal being sober; it just means I no longer take the elixer that makes me not care about being an ass. I'm still an ass, a non-boozing one.

"Stage II Recovery" is a road map for continuing the journey, which by the way isn't an easy ride. I'm still trudging and at times laboriously ~ in a healthy direction. Maybe someday I'll be sober AND happy; maybe not, but I will have given it my best shot.

There's a lot more to recovery than sobriety. Earnie Larson lays it out clearly and concisely in this little book full of big opportunities for taking inventory of all the ways addictions to patterns of behavior can be just as damaging as addictions to substances. This is a must read for anyone struggling to participate in healthy, happy, conscious relationships, and a great reminder that sobriety is only the first stage of real recovery.

Earnie Larsen is one of the nation's experts on addiction and recovery, and he always includes relationships in the context of recovery. He gives many seminars, has written several books, and has many educational videos available as well.

I would encourage anyone reading this to read/see anything Earnie does, because your recovery efforts will improve dramatically. For more info, check out Earnie's website: earniedotcom

His style is easy to understand and to apply in your personal life; he also has a sense of humor which makes the learning fun. This makes a great recovery gift to someone you know who is struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I think this review was well thought out and careful to guide the recovering person to higher goals toward truth and happiness. I love the natural ability the author shows to point toward rigourous change without a demanding tone. Instead, Earnie Larson uses terrific examples to show, first hand, what illusions we (in the recovery community) can be susceptible to and how to find our way out of them.

I appreciate the vision and respect this book gives to our progression. But, the only trouble one may have is the book may be too idealistic without delving deeper into how our destructive habits (and issues of that nature) developed; a book like that would be much, much thicker. With the shame a person might finds themselves in, to say "stop doing that (being negative toward yourself)" doesn't cut it. Only a few times, this book may leave us short of that notion that a miracle (by God) is needed to break a negative cycle (that Spiritual means is the way out).

Great book with a simple message: Want to be happier and more effective in life? Then learn how to identify and work to eliminate bad habits that hold you back. It is a must read for everyone who is trying to improve themselves, whether or not they are in a 12 step program.

I am a recovering alcoholic and I ordered Stage II Recovery per a friend's recommendation. I am so glad I did! It is a simple plan that gives good advice and direction once you have sobered up and you ask, "Now what?" I found it totally inspiring, and it helped me get a plan for myself in action.

Awesome! What a re-reminder of what we already know and have forgotten. Wonderful reading for one who has gone through or not gone through a 12 step program.

This book is a must for those newly on the journey of recovery. It offers insight rarely seen to help people battling addictions of all kinds.