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12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery & 12 Smart Things to Do When the Booze an

Avoiding Relapse and Choosing Emotional Sobriety through Self-Awareness and Right Action

Part of Berger 12
Published by Hazelden Publishing
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

A bundle of two ebooks by recovery expert Dr. Allen Berger to help you avoid pitfalls and be proactive in your recovery journey.

12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery contains concise advice on hunting down the personal culprits that sabotage sobriety and personal happiness. 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; and 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.

12 Smart Things to Do When the Booze and Drugs Are Gone offers a fresh list of "smart" things to do to attain and sustain emotional sobriety. Whether it's called "dry drunk" or "white knuckle sobriety," it's that stage in recovery when we realize that "putting the plug in the jug" isn't enough. The next step is taking responsibility for the emotional immaturity that fuels our addictive personality and has a tremendous impact on ourselves and others. These smart things include: understanding who you are and what's important to you; learning not to take others' reactions personally; trusting your inner compass; and taking responsibility for your reactions to problematic situations.

About The Author

Allen Berger, PhD, is a leading expert in the science of recovery from addiction. Sober since 1971, Dr. Berger was part of a pioneering recovery program for marines returning from Vietnam with alcohol and other drug addictions—first as a participant, then as a counselor. Since then, he has become a thought leader in the field, working in clinical settings and private practice. In demand as a speaker, workshop presenter, and interviewee, Dr. Berger is well-known in recovery circles, among those in recovery as well as therapists and clinicians around the world. He has lectured and written extensively on the process of recovery, emotional sobriety, and the therapeutic value of the Twelve Steps. 

Product Details

  • Publisher: Hazelden Publishing (November 17, 2010)
  • Length: 328 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781616491031

Resources and Downloads

More books from this author: Allen Berger

More books in this series: Berger 12