Sober and Free: Making Your Recovery Work for You - Softcover

Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs have helped thousands recover from addictive behaviors. Yet these programs do not work for everyone. These two titles offer other choices. Moderate Drinking is the official handbook of Moderation Management (MM), a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 by Kishline for problem drinkers who want to cut back. This approach, although highly controversial in America, has already been successfully implemented abroad and is making strides in this country. Kishline skillfully argues against using the disease model for alcoholism and outlines her philosophy and goals. She carefully and specifically details who should not try her methods. Overall, this is a helpful book. Still other alternatives to conventional treatments are described in Sober and Free. Kettelhack, a gay recovering alcoholic and author of several works, including First Year Sobriety (HarperSanFrancisco, 1992), uses individual case histories to illustrate his argument that recovery is possible by many methods. According to the author, each person must find the way that works best for him/her. Moderate Drinking should be purchased by all public and alcohol studies libraries. If space and budgets permit, Sober and Free should also be included. Together, these books help balance the plethora of works on abstinence and conventional treatments.?January Adams, Franklin Twp. P.L., Franklinville, N.J.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Kettelhack addresses individuals who entered a traditional 12-step program, like Alcoholics Anonymous, for addiction problems and found something in the experience unsatisfying. Kettelhack isn't arguing against such programs. He himself went "the AA route" and found it immensely rewarding. Yet Kettelhack's research revealed that the percentage of people who successfully stop taking drugs and/or alcohol is essentially constant, no matter if they attend a program, take outpatient treatment, or simply decide to quit on their own. Calling for a "larger world of recovery," Kettelhack asserts that at least some addicts may be able to help themselves, by themselves. Successful case studies of just such people are provided plus advice on working through addictions, recovering a positive view of life, and dealing with the relapses that addicts often encounter. For the audience Kettelhack has delineated and the many addicted people considering becoming un-addicted, this book is helpful. Brian McCombie