15 Lifechanging Books on Addiction and Recovery

It features daily meditations, thoughts, and prayers to aid readers in maintaining sobriety. This book reads like a conversation, and teaches us to get curious. Gilbert helps us understand the noisy voice in our head, which can often be our greatest critic. She offers generous vulnerability in her lessons and encourages you to find your gift within. A life of recovery is an awakened life of purpose, service, and meaning. Creating healthy boundaries is one of the most useful practices we can put into place in early sobriety.

Author Michael Dash, entrepreneur and recovering drug addict, draws many parallels between his life pursuing business success and goodbye letter to alcohol his obsession with gambling, which caused him to bottom out. He explains how he was always trying to be the life of the party, both in the casino and at home. Dove “Birdie” Randolph is doing her best to be a perfect daughter. She’s focusing on her schoolwork and is on track to finish high school at the top of her class.

Girl Walks Out of a Bar: A Memoir by Lisa F. Smith

Fisher’s memoir not only delves into her personal experiences but also provides insights into her family life and relationships. Through her wit and vulnerability, she sheds light on the complexities of addiction and the path to sobriety. These three books offer unique perspectives on addiction and recovery, providing readers with profound insights into the challenges faced by individuals struggling with substance abuse. By sharing their personal stories, these authors offer inspiration and understanding to those who may be on their own journey toward recovery. In “Guts” by Kristen Johnston, the author shares her remarkable story of addiction and recovery with raw honesty, humor, and authenticity.

Having a Sober Christmas 2023

Quit Like a Woman is her informative and relatable guidebook to breaking an addiction to alcohol. If you or a loved one is struggling with any form of substance use disorder, American Addiction Centers can help. With facilities scattered across the U.S., AAC is a leading provider of evidence-based treatment and mental health services. Reach out to an admissions counselor at to learn more about treatment and take the first steps toward recovery today. Authored by addiction professionals, Beyond Addiction illustrates how people can use positive reinforcement, behavior strategies, and kindness to help their loved ones achieve sobriety. Pairing insights on treatment options and how to navigate the rehab system, content is designed to not only help someone change but also prompt them to want to change.

Macy gives you the lowdown does water flush alcohol out of urine on this opioid crisis from start to finish, showing how big pharma misled doctors into believing these painkillers were not addictive. We all know what happened from there, but where do we go from here? With a behind-the-scenes look from the perspective of families and first responders, you can see the effects of the opioid crisis up close and personal.

Sick: A Memoir by Porochista Khakpour

However, beyond the book that focuses on some key ideas, including changing our beliefs and practicing abstinence, among others, Whitaker aims to change the narrative surrounding alcohol consumption. A 1996 bestseller, Caroline Knapp paints a vivid picture of substance use and recovery that every reader can appreciate, whether you struggle with substance use or not. Knapp writes elegantly about her 20+ years of ‘high-functioning drinking’. Winning career accolades by day and drinking at night, Knapp brings you to the netherworld of alcohol use disorder.

The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober explores the role alcohol plays in our world and insights from top neuroscientists and psychologists about why we drink. Discussing alcohol’s impact on our health and minds, author Catherine Gray illustrates how a sober life can truly be intoxicating. Self-love can be one of the most beautiful things to come from a recovery journey. This book provides an amazing framework for embracing our true selves in a society that tries to tell us we’re not already whole as we are. If you struggle with anything related to body image, you won’t regret this read. This book may also help you see sobriety as a gift you’re giving to your body.

This book provides an eye-opening perspective on and insight into how racism and white supremacy can lead to intergenerational trauma. Resmaa Menakem shares the latest research on body trauma and neuroscience, as well as provides actionable steps towards healing as a collective. These insights can introduce a whole new dimension of healing while on a sobriety or moderation journey. This is one of the most compelling books on recovery and humanity ever written. Dr. Maté shares the powerful insight that substance use is, in many cases, a survival mechanism.

A powerful tool when used in conjunction with treatment, the concept pairs motivational techniques, cognitive behavior therapy, and mindfulness strategies. Pairing scientific research with real-life stories of addiction, the author and world-renowned trauma expert provides a holistic explanation of addiction. Offering an easy-to-grasp counseling for spouses of alcoholics explanation of the brain and addiction, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts promotes compassionate self-understanding as a pillar of health and healing. I am not sure I’d be sober today if it weren’t for Tired of Thinking About Drinking.

1. Her first memoir is an inside look at her famous parents’ marriage and her own tumultuous love affairs (including her on-again, off-again relationship with Paul Simon).
2. This book offers a collection of elegant, complex, and sophisticated recipes that prove there’s so much more to zero proof beverages than overly sweet ‘mocktails’.
3. This book deeply resonates with readers, as Johnston fearlessly opens up about her battle with addiction and the challenges she faced along the way.
4. So here’s a list of my all-time favorite reads about substance use disorders.

His story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of redemption and transformation through recovery. These powerful narratives offer hope, inspiration, and a path to healing. Reading a few chapters of a recovery-related book each day can help weave your sobriety or moderation goals into your everyday life. It can provide ongoing reminders of why you’re making a change, and give you new tools to incorporate as you continue on your journey.