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