Inspirational Books to Benefit Your Recovery
Books have the power to transport us to another universe, help us temporarily escape reality and remind us that Good triumphs over Evil. They can teach us how to persevere, what to do when things go wrong and how other people have dealt with the trials of this life. They can inspire; they can motivate; they can encourage.
Because of this, the stories found in books have a unique ability to benefit those in addiction recovery. Many individuals have struggled with mental illness and addictions and have found the courage to tell their stories through writing. And many, in turn, have held on to these tales of failure and triumph as crucial support in their own personal fight against addiction.
Books for addiction recovery
Whether you are looking for self-help texts or want to learn from the journey of another, there’s no limit to the amount of literature available on addiction recovery.
Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget, by Sarah Hepola
A personal memoir about her own addiction, Blackout details the frightening reality of struggling with alcohol abuse. Hepola discusses how she talked herself into believing that alcohol was the best thing to fuel her dangerous, adventurous and gripping lifestyle, but at a costly price. She soon became victim to nights she couldn’t remember and frightening encounters that should have ended traumatically. Eventually, she made the hard choice to rethink her lifestyle, which, in turn, led to the beautiful discovery that her skill, creativity and personality came from within herself, not from a bottle.
The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brené Brown
While spending years researching the concept of shame and its influence on people’s lives, Brown actually discovered the gift of living wholeheartedly, “the things that get in the way” and the freedom found in this concept of wholeheartedness. Throughout the book, Brown walks her readers through the pitfalls of living a “perfect” life, teaching them how to recognize and silence the voice of shame and overall encouraging compassionate, courageous and connected living.
A New York Times-Bestseller and labeled one of the “Five Books That Will Actually Change Your Outlook On Life,” by Forbes magazine, The Gifts of Imperfection is a crucial addition to the reading list of anyone needing encouragement to be who they were created to be.
Detox Your Thoughts, by Andrea Bonior, Ph.D.
We’re all familiar with that pesky little voice looming in the back of our brains that says “You can’t do it,” “You’re not good enough.” Perhaps it’s a surprise to know that everyone struggles with these thoughts, and a key part of recovery is learning to ignore this voice.
Using mindfulness techniques as well as tools from CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy), Detox Your Thoughts gives readers concrete tools and ways to take that negative voice and reframe it. By learning to alter one’s thoughts to reflect positivity, it becomes possible to both practice self-compassion and differentiates hyperactive emotions from reality.
High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One Addict’s Double Life, by Tiffany Jenkins
Detailing her own battle with opioid addiction, and the severe consequences it had on her life, Jenkins gives an inside look at just exactly what opioids do to the brain in her novel High Achiever. Through her story, Jenkins shares, on a personal level, what it looks and feels like to have your mind broken down by drugs, and what opioid addiction can ultimately lead one to do. With honest vulnerability, Jenkins pulls back the curtain on the opioid epidemic and makes this topic no longer something heard about on the news, but a real problem actively destroying the lives of real people.
Dry: A Memoir, by Augusten Burroughs
Dry takes an honest look at the hardship of life post-treatment, and the reality that many who seem to have their life together on the outside are actually struggling with much more than anyone realizes.
Dry tells of Burroughs’s personal battle with alcohol addiction; how his career and friendships looked picture-perfect from the outside when there was actually much turmoil on the inside; and how, after the conclusion of rehab, he was forced to return to his same life in New York City with one huge difference – sobriety. With honesty and vulnerability, Burroughs sheds light on this little discussed phase of recovery and the challenges of returning to everyday life after rehab.
Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction, by David Sheff
“A brilliant, harrowing, heartbreaking, fascinating story, full of beautiful moments and hard-won wisdom. This book will save a lot of lives and heal a lot of hearts.” — Anne Lamott
A true story of healing, perseverance and the power of a father’s love for his son, Beautiful Boy tells of Nic, Sheff’s son, whose life took a dramatic turn for the worst when he developed an addiction to crystal meth. Through Sheff’s journey, readers learn of the remarkable dedication of this father to his son, and the heartbreaking effect addiction can have on one’s family. But underneath the sadness lies the beautiful truth of hope and the ever-possible freedom of recovery.
Addiction recovery inspiration
There’s much to be learned from the experiences of others, and books give us the chance to do just that during a time as crucial as addiction recovery.
For additional support in your journey, reach out to Freedom Detox today. Contact us by calling 800-475-2312 anytime. Our staff looks forward to helping you find freedom and peace.
