r/pagan•
IMbleu

Book recommendations for addiction recovery?

I made a post over in r/stopdrinking that I'll copy here first:

[Book] Looking for a different perspective on continued sobriety.

Hello everyone!

I am more than a year sober now. I went to inpatient treatment for 28 days and then went to AA twice weekly to maintain my sobriety. The issue is, I'm finding less and less of myself in the rooms. I know that I was a mess. I know I can't ever drink responsibly. I don't want to ever drink again for that matter. But I made it through the first 4 or 5 steps and now I'm flagging. I understand the importance of the other steps. I'm not afraid of doing them. Actually right at this moment my only option to continue the 12 steps through AA is to find a sponsor online to help me through the last of them.

Really though the problem is, I don't think I want to continue with AA. I like the groups. I like going and hearing everyone's stories. But the message and the 12 steps no longer feel genuine to me. It feels like scare tactics now I guess. I am no longer cowering in fear of alcohol or addiction in general and so I'm no longer feeling like I'm gaining anything by continuing the 12 steps. Other than spiritual growth. But I want alcoholism and addiction in general to have a place in my daily spiritual focus and a large place in my weekly spiritual work. I know I have to work to maintain my sobriety and if I let up it can kind of sneak me back into the bad thought paterns.

So does anyone have a recommendation on a book I can read that might have some insight into maintained sobriety without all the fear? I was thinking of picking up Refuge Recovery. But I'm not firmiliar enough with the teachings to know if it's a good option. Any help would be much appreciated.

TL:DR I am looking for a continuing care plan that isn't centered around fear of alcohol or failure. I am looking for a book that can illustrate a guide to spiritual recovery based on having a healthy respect for the destructive power of alcohol.

Pagan: I've been having problems with my faith and I really like the pagan ideals that I've seen. So while I'm looking more into the pagan 'umbrella' I was wondering if anyone could think of any books that cover both the pagan faith and addiction recovery, even if it's only a fee pages. I would really love to be able to find some kind of group of people who have been in recovery but are also pagan to talk to as well. So I guess if anyone knows anyone that would be really really helpful.

Let me know if this breaks any rules. I was told it's OK to post asking about books since the recommended literature page on the sidebar hasn't been completed yet. But I'm happy to edit it or take it down if there's a problem.

Thank you for reading this far and I'm sorry for the wall of text!

Posted Sep 30, 2016, 12:13 AM UTC

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queentittysprinkles•

I'm a sober witch! Hi!

Neither of these books are pagan related but have you checked out This Naked Mind or Easy Way to Control Alcohol? You might like them- it's more about rewiring your subconscious rather than fear based change.

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IMbleuOP•

Hi! Thank you for your recommendations they sound helpful. I'll check them out!

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littlesoubrette•

I recommend this book to anyone. I'm in recovery from an eating disorder, which is treated very similarly to substance abuse. "The Happiness Trap" by Russ Harris. This book outlines really practical skills for managing any sort of mental health recovery over a lifetime. It can help guide you towards living a meaningful life free of addiction. This book totally changed my life and I think it could really help you. I personally found a lot of it to mirror aspects of Wicca/paganism, like the focus on mindfulness and grounding and identifying values. I was reading "The Earth Path" by Starhawk at the same time I was in treatment for my eating disorder and reading "The Happiness Trap". The spells from the former almost seemed to mirror the skills from the latter. It was really awesome. I highly recommend that book. Best of luck in your recovery!

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IMbleuOP•

Oh thank you! That sounds very very promising!

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ComatoseSixtyPantheistic Pagan•

I'm not an alcoholic, but both of my parents were. I've lived with alcoholism my entire life. I likely have the gene but I do not drink because it makes me sick. I've never truly been addicted to any substance (it was exercise and video games for me) but every person I know is addicted to some substance or other, if nothing more than nicotine.

I don't know much about being a sponsor, as I detest 12-step programs (having been forced into one during my stay in prison), but if you need to talk feel free to PM me with any concerns and I'll respond as soon as I'm able.

I am sorry, I don't know of any books. I found this online:

http://pagansinrecovery.com/

but it appears to be 12-step in nature.

If you want to talk just know that I'm entirely judgement free and will not berate you for any reason. I completely understand if you choose to ignore my offer, however, as what you're going through is entirely personal.

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IMbleuOP•

Thank you so much for your reply! I feel like a lot of people who get the 12 steps forced on them end up hating them with some kind of burning passion.

Thank you so much for the offer for talking. It means a lot to me. I will keep it in mind if I'm ever soul searching at night.

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queentittysprinkles•

I don't have any kind of ire against the 12 steps- I think they are legitimately helpful. It's hard in AA however because the assumed higher power is the Christian God. And there are definitely people in AA who proselytize. It just ends up being irritating.

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IMbleuOP•

Oh yes. I can see that. I've run into some people with that kind of attitude in the rooms.

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needlestuckATR/ADR Polytheist •

Refuge Recovery is pretty neat, but requires lots of work and accountability!

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IMbleuOP•

I guess I will check it out. Thank you!

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Blaizze5687•

I have a recommendation for you that is pagan and recovery oriented. It is called "The Recovery Spiral: A Pagan Path to Healing" by Cynthia Jane Collins M.DIV.

I enjoy this book a lot, it is the 12 steps of AA but modified into a Pagan mindset (contains a lot less fear tactics and more inspiration). The author also uses stories and anecdotes to explain the steps and their meaning. It also includes Tarot Divination or Ritual Contemplation advice for each step.

I know I have another book lying around somewhere, I'll dig it up if I can.

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IMbleuOP•

Oh my gosh thank you so much! I will order a copy right away!

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Blaizze5687•

You are very welcome. Always glad to help out a fellow person in recovery.

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IMbleuOP•

It's so comforting to find others in recovery. Everyone is so nice.

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