12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery: Avoiding Relapse through Self-Awareness and Right Action [Paperback]

Allen Berger Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1592854869 | ISBN-13: 978-1592854868 | Publication Date: February 15, 2008 | Edition: 1

Are you sabotaging your own recovery?

To grow in recovery, we must grow up emotionally. This means getting honest with ourselves and facing up to the self-defeating thoughts and actions that put our sobriety at risk. Although there are as many ways to mess up recovery as there are alcoholics and addicts, some general themes exist, which include:

• confusing self-concern with selfishness
• not making amends
• using the program to try to become perfect
• not getting help for relationship troubles
• believing that life should be easy

In simple, down-to-earth language, Allen Berger explores the twelve most commonly confronted beliefs and attitudes that can sabotage recovery. He then provides tools for working through these problems in daily life. This useful guide offers fresh perspectives on how the process of change begins with basic self-awareness and a commitment to working a daily program.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Allen Berger, Ph.D., is the Chief Clinical Officer of Cumberland Heights in Nashville, TN. He has more than 36 years of clinical experience at all levels of care in the treatment of chemical dependency. Dr. Berger has authored several professional publications and his most recent book is Love Secrets – Revealed.

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Hazelden; 1 edition (February 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592854869
• ISBN-13: 978-1592854868
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Recovery > Twelve-Step Programs
  • #21 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Recovery > Alcoholism
  • #34 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Recovery > Substance Abuse

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend, March 24, 2009

By 

John E. Derry "A Home Away Retreat Inc. (ahom... (Kelowna, BC, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery: Avoiding Relapse through Self-Awareness and Right Action (Paperback)

Relapse prevention is an often overlooked aspect of recovery. The alcoholic /addict in early sobriety is excited to be clean and sober, often riding the so-called 'pink cloud'. This almost euphoric feeling can instill an over confidence and exuberance that may cause the addict to fail to recognize early signs of relapse. Without such awareness and hence preventative measures, relapse can creep up on the individual. By the time the signs are clearly evident, the relapse is in full effect. Relapse happens long before the drug, drink or behavior is picked up or acted upon.
Regardless of what stage of recovery you are in, this book can give you an awareness that might just save your life.

John Derry,
Director,A Home Away, Addiction Recovery Retreat
Kelowna, BC, Canada
[...]

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars User Friendly Tool for Those in Recovery, May 4, 2008

By 

B. Janetzke "Barbara Janetzke, Ph.D." (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery: Avoiding Relapse through Self-Awareness and Right Action (Paperback)

A well-written, user friendly book that allows both individuals who are new in recovery or who have been in recovery for years to focus on the issues that are truly important in recovery. Dr. Berger interlaces his own personal recovery experiences with the wisdom that he has gained as a clinician over many years and created a book that is sure to provide hope to many in recovery. Overall, an excellent book for individuals in recovery and for clinicians who seek to understand their clients more fully.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 12 Stupid things that mess up recovery, March 25, 2008

By 

Olive M. Reed - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery: Avoiding Relapse through Self-Awareness and Right Action (Paperback)

This is a very helpful book for anyone at any stage in their recovery. It is easy to understand. It gives another way to look at an old problem "How to maintain recovery". As someone who has worked in the field of addiction medicine for over 30 years I would recommend this book.