A Woman's Addiction Workbook: Your Guide to In-Depth Healing [Paperback]

Lisa M. Najavits (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2002

Women and girls are now becoming addicted at greater rates than ever before, and until very recently women in recovery were dependent on treatment models based solely on work with men.

Harvard addiction and trauma expert Lisa M. Najavits offers this step-by-step program to help women overcome the often-overlooked problems associated with their drug and alcohol addictions, such as body image, trauma and violence, relationships, stress, and thrill-seeking. She explores how women differ from men in their addiction and recovery, and adapts this information to help you embark on your journey to healing. A chapter on co-occurring emotional problems allows you to evaluate whether you have any of the key disorders common among women with addiction, such as depression, posttraumatic stress, eating disorders, or phobias.

With this strengths-building workbook, begin to come to terms with your personal addiction story. Healing exercises in four areasófeelings, beliefs, action, and relationshipsóhelp women build self-respect. Exercises include ìListen to That Small Quiet Voice, Extreme Self-Care, Self-Soothing, Become Friends with Women, Rethink, Take Charge, Share Responsibility, and Mourn. In addition to these exercises and techniques, the book offers valuable resources of recovery support information.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This excellent workbook is an important contribution to the self-help literature. Its ideas, stories, and resource lists create a comprehensive framework that will be very helpful to women struggling with addiction. Dr. Najavits combines her strong clinical skills with compassion, respect, and an understanding of women’s lives.”
—Stephanie S. Covington, Ph.D., LCSW, Author of A Woman’s Way Through the Twelve Steps and Helping Women Recover: A Program for Treating Addiction

“A terrific and much needed book! Over the last decade, rates of addiction have steadily climbed among women. This book speaks directly to the hearts and minds of women experiencing addiction problems. It successfully balances a gentle, nurturing approach with scientifically grounded, highly informative content. This workbook is filled with motivational exercises that work well across different types of addiction, recovery stages, and life experiences. It’ sa wonderful contribution.
—Mary E.McCaul, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Director, Johns Hopkins Hospital Comprehensive Women’s Center

“In this clear, useful, and empowering book, Dr. Najavits deftly explores the broad range of issues related to women’s sobriety, including self-care, healthy relationships, trusting one’s inner wisdom, and the ability to stand firmly in the center of one’s power. Through helpful information and detailed exercise, she offers a map that leads to maintaining sobriety and living a full life.”
—Charlotte Sophia Kasl, author of Many Roads, One Journey: Moving Beyond the 12 Steps and If the Buddha Dated

“This is a wonderful book for any woman seeking to explore an addiction problem. It is a practical guide for looking inward that is both heartfelt and straightforward. Drawing on her extensive professional experience, Dr. Najavits offers a holistic approach to help women explore all aspects of their lives. The book is valuable as a self-help guide and also as a resource for clinicians seeking to enhance their clients’ treatment experience.”
—Joan E Zweben, Ph.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of California San Francisco; Executive Director, East Bay Community Recovery Project, Oakland, California

From the Publisher

Women in recovery are often dependent on treatment models designed by and for men. In this vital, strengths-building workbook, the chair of Harvard Medical School's Division on Addictions Womens Initiative offers a new step-by-step program that teaches women how to best address their addictions, and introduces pivotal techniques for exploring underlying factors that drive them. Women learn how their addiction differs from that of men and how to identify addictive life patterns and understand co-occurring disorders.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; Workbook edition (October 10, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572242973
• ISBN-13: 978-1572242975
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lisa M. Najavits, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine; Lecturer, Harvard Medical School; clinical psychologist at VA Boston; and clinical associate, McLean Hospital. She is author of the books Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse (2002) and A Woman's Addiction Workbook (New Harbinger Press; 2002), as well as over 130 professional publications. She has received various awards, including the 1997 Young Professional Award of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies; the 1998 Early Career Contribution Award of the Society for Psychotherapy Research; the 2004 Emerging Leadership Award of the American Psychological Association Committee on Women; and the 2009 Betty Ford Award of the Addiction Medical Education and Research Association. She is currently president of the American Psychological Association Division on Addictions; and on the advisory boards of Psychotherapy Research, the Journal of Traumatic Stress, and the Journal of Gambling Studies. Dr. Najavits has received a variety of National Institutes of Health and other research grants. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association; board certified in behavioral therapy; a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts; a psychotherapy supervisor; and conducts a psychotherapy practice. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee) and her bachelor's degree with honors from Columbia University (New York, New York). Her major clinical and research interests address vulnerable populations, including homeless, women, veterans, and community-based care; she specializes on trauma/substance abuse, development of new psychotherapies, and evaluation and outcome research. See www.seekingsafety.org for additional information.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book - Great Help, May 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Woman's Addiction Workbook: Your Guide to In-Depth Healing (Paperback)

My therapist first introduced this book to me, and I am so grateful!! It isn't just reading material, it has step-by-step instructions and exercises to follow. This book won't take the place of a therapist or counselor, but it can definitely be a BIG help when used at home. If you are serious about getting past your addiction(s), you should look into buying this book. It has truly, truly helped me!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!, September 16, 2006

By 

Sara (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Woman's Addiction Workbook: Your Guide to In-Depth Healing (Paperback)

It is inspiring and beautifully written. I now have 6 months clean time because I read it every day.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you, Dr. Najavits!, March 8, 2005

By 

Much Better Now (West Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Woman's Addiction Workbook: Your Guide to In-Depth Healing (Paperback)

Without this book, I would still be using drugs. This is one of the few books I've read that allowed me to really look at issues of gender in recovery. I did all of the exercises, and each one brought new insights and knowledge. Every once in a while I go back to them. Thank you, Dr. Najavits!