Stolen Hours: Breaking Free from Secret Addictions [Paperback]

John Howard Prin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2004

All of us keep a secret now and then, but at least one out of fifteen people is a chronic Secret Keeper. These are persons whose secrets have power over them and make them misbehave, become sick, or violate others. Burdened by unhealthy secret-keeping habits, they "steal hours" away from their public lives to act out their secret behaviors or passions—sometimes for decades—but rarely get found out.

Many are everyday folks. Your next door neighbor. The person ahead of you in the supermarket line. The driver beside you on the freeway. Or maybe you—or someone you love.

The book describes the 8 mindsets of persons with these secret-keeping traits and their relationship to self-defeating behaviors such as alcohol/drug abuse, compulsive gambling, sexual addictions, and eating disorders. The author speaks from both his personal recovery experience based on his own 40-year history and his professional knowledge as a licensed chemical health counselor. Written in an upbeat style, Stolen Hours offers practical and spiritual ways to confront the problem and encourages readers to pursue healthy whole-mindedness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Stolen Hours ... will help many who hide unhealthy secrets and struggle against compulsive urges or addictions. I enjoyed every page! -- Robert E. Hardy, Ed.D., author of Self-Defeating Behaviors

[Prin] reveals his serets in a deeply satisfying book.... A wise and uplifting blend of insight and inspiration. -- Richard J. Leider, Founder, the Inventure Group and bestselling author of Repacking Your Bags

About the Author

John Prin, BA, LADC, writes and lectures on recovery topics to a variety of audiences about healthy ways to think, behave, and live. His career as an addictions counselor began with his own recovery from chemical addictions in 1996.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Syren Book Company (January 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 092963621X
• ISBN-13: 978-0929636214
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,051,617 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Howard Prin, BA, LADC, specializes in helping people who are recovering from addictions experience the joys and rewards of lifelong recovery. John's talents as an addictions counselor and educator have motivated individuals in recovery groups and treatment centers to stay sober nationwide.

In 2010, John's nonfiction writing opened doors to his love of fiction and memoir. His longtime dream of writing novels sparked new creative projects--stories of love, marriage and sexuality. His writing mantra? "Love transforms us into our better selves." Look for updates on this new direction emerging from his energy and passion.

Along with John's love of counseling and helping people reach their potential, he has published numerous articles and books on addiction/recovery topics. Participants of John's audience-centered lectures, both clients and professionals, find them interactive and entertaining. At Hazelden treatment center, he served as a clinical case manager and unit counselor. Currently he heads True You Recovery, Inc. in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. John's career began with his own recovery from chemical addictions in 1996.

John welcomes comments and dialogue from readers (fully confidential) on topics ranging from the 12-Steps to unhealthy secrets to clinical therapies and more. Contact him at www.TrueYouRecovery.com, where you will find more about his services and fiction/memoir projects, including his email address and phone number.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conquering Secrets, March 3, 2004

By 

Cheris S. Garrison (Madison, MS United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stolen Hours: Breaking Free from Secret Addictions (Paperback)

"Stolen Hours" reads like a novel and is a fascinating, expertly written story of a real life, shared with total honesty.

Many readers readers will appreciate and identify with this intimate story of a baby boomer's life, from his childhood and high school years lived in a time when unpleasant family dynamics were hidden and many secrets were kept, through the challenges of young adulthood in the turbulent 60's and 70's. The author is painfully open and honest in sharing the mountains he has climbed throughout his life.

Readers will learn why some secrets are OK while others are unhealthy. Readers with unhealthy addictions and secrets will be encouraged by the author's experience of conquering each of his in its turn. They will find catharsis in this story of one who has grappled with and survived many challenges which they may identify with. Readers will also find practical help in overcoming and letting go of destructive secrets.

Readers without addictions or secrets will find a new awareness and understanding of those around them who are compelled to keep certain behaviors secret. This book is not only a valuable resource, but also a very enjoyable read.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Welcome addition to recovery, therapy, and self-help shelves, August 12, 2004

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stolen Hours: Breaking Free from Secret Addictions (Paperback)

Stolen Hours: Breaking Free From Secret Addictions a self-help guide for those people who chronically and habitually keep secrets, often to self-destructive or violent ends. Examining the nature of those who hide self-defeating behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse, compulsive gambling, sexual addiction, eating disorders, and much more, Stolen Hours presents ways in which to combat the cycle of hiding and indulging in and hiding harmful activities. Case studies, 8 mindsets common to secret-keepers, and years of the author's exeprience as an addiction counselor and recovery from chemical addiction mark Stolen Hours as compelling in its own right and a welcome addition to recovery, therapy, and self-help shelves.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Secret Keeping and Addictive Behaviors, October 12, 2004

By 

Bruce Baird (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stolen Hours: Breaking Free from Secret Addictions (Paperback)

Recovering from a secret and addictive life as a credit card abuser, and now a member of Debtor's Anonymous, I was interested in reading Stolen Hours to gain insight into my behaviors. I found Stolen Hours to be very much like an autobiographical novel, and a real page turner, as John Prin reveals his exciting and traumatic life journey.

However, throughout the book, John Prin adds the dimension of analyzing his many secrets, addictions, failures, and ultimate successes. Every few chapters he provides a summary of analysis and insights that really hits home in many areas. Anyone with significant secrets and the stolen hours they cause, will gain much information about their behaviors by reading this book. Even if you're not afflicted with significant secrets and addictions, this is a fascinating autobiography and a fast read!