Recovery Reading List: 17 Best-Selling and or Award-Winning Books on Addiction and Recovery

books for recovering alcoholics

She grew up with a tragic journey, running away and becoming exposed to alcohol, drugs, and sex at a young age, and leaning on those vices to get by. A Piece of Cake is her gripping tale of crashing down to the bottom and crawling back to the top. From Sober Sexpert Tawny Lara comes a cheeky, lighthearted, judgement-free handbook. Dry Humping is filled with alcohol-free date ideas, scripts for awkward conversations, tips from experts, prompts, people’s perspectives, and more. Prior to getting sober, memoir author Sarah Hepola often drank until she blacked out.

books for recovering alcoholics

Rewired: A Bold New Approach To Addiction and Recovery Paperback – April 28, 2015

The story is a poignant and raw portrayal of the struggles faced by those battling with addiction, and the devastating impact it has on their lives and relationships. Through vivid and haunting prose, Jackson paints a vivid portrait of the mind of an alcoholic, capturing the desperation and despair that comes with the disease. The Lost Weekend is a compelling and unflinching exploration of the depths of addiction, and a must-read for anyone seeking insight into the tumultuous world of alcoholism. Lit Up by David Denby is a captivating exploration of the impact of literature on the lives of high school students. Denby’s narrative delves into the struggles and triumphs of the students, as well as the challenges faced by the dedicated teachers guiding them through the world of literature. Through his observations, Denby highlights the profound effect that books can have on young minds, offering a compelling argument for the importance of literary education.

Drink: The Intimate Relationship Between Women and Alcohol

This book offers inspiration for alcohol-free drinks and activities, and tangible tips on how to navigate a month (or beyond!) without alcohol. 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. When something awful happens to us, our way to cope is to turn off and even turn against ourselves, as a method of resilience.

Best Books About Alcohol Recovery

Decades later, Cat reminisces about those days with Marlena and learns to forgive herself and move on from those days. Julie Buntin’s Marlena is a stunning look at alcoholism, addiction, and bad decisions, and how they haunt us forever. Survival Math is an incredible look at race and class, gangs and guns, addiction and masculinity. Mitchell S. Jackson frames the narrative around his own experiences and those of his family and community.

  • She’s drawn to Marlena’s world and joins her on an adventure of drinking, smoking, and kissing.
  • The story follows Carr’s unbelievable arc through addiction, recovery, cancer, and life as a single parent to come to an understanding of what those dark years meant.
  • The Spirituality of Imperfection is a thought-provoking and enlightening alcoholics book that offers a fresh perspective on spirituality and the human experience.
  • More than anything, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts provides a voice of kind generosity and understanding to anyone who is looking to learn more for themselves or a loved one.
  • She thought the normal people who could drink casually were lucky.

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.

A captivating story of a highly accomplished well-known professional in the spotlight who was brave enough to share her story. Elizabeth Vargas takes off her perfectly poised reporter mask and shows you the authentic person behind the anchor desk. She shares her personal lifelong struggle with anxiety, which led to excessive substance use, rehab, and her ultimate triumph into recovery. As you embark on a sobriety or moderation journey, building a toolkit to keep you motivated and inspired can help you reach your goals. 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. Pairing scientific research with real-life stories of addiction, the author and world-renowned trauma expert provides a holistic explanation of addiction.

  • Moehringer is a captivating memoir that delves into the author’s coming-of-age story in a Long Island bar.
  • A life of recovery is an awakened life of purpose, service, and meaning.
  • Holly Whitaker, in her own path to recovery, discovered the insidious ways the alcohol industry targets women and the patriarchal methods of recovery.
  • White thoughtfully explores boundaries, emotional regulation, body image, shame, and self-care in a way that’s actionable and accessible.
  • This book addresses the roles that both partners play in recovery, and aims to help readers develop a new appreciation for one another and improve self-confidence and acceptance.
  • She wasn’t self-medicating and was able to truly feel her feelings and live honestly.

The Four Seasons of Recovery for Parents of Alcoholics and Addicts Paperback – January 1, 2014

books for recovering alcoholics

Weaving together poems, historical documents, and photos, this is an essential book about, among many other things, alcoholism and survival. I recently came to terms with my own problematic relationship with alcohol, and my one solace has been in books. I’ve dug into memoir after memoir, tiptoed into the hard science books, and enjoyed the fiction from afar.

Beyond Addiction: How Science and Kindness Help People Change

books for recovering alcoholics

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse, call American Addiction Centers today at for guidance on receiving the treatment you deserve. Learn more about alcohol abuse, drug addiction and the recovery process. At the age of 15, Cat Marnell began to unknowingly “murder her life” when she became hooked on the ADHD medication prescribed to books for recovering alcoholics her by her psychiatrist father. They appreciate the real-life examples, constructive exercises, and helpful affirmations.

They mention it clarifies the steps wonderfully, is excellent for anyone starting the 12 Steps, and has great journal prompts. Readers also say it keeps it simple and helps them stay focused. Jerry Stahl was a writer with significant and successful screenwriting credits — Dr. Caligari, Twin Peaks, Moonlighting, and more. But despite that success, Stahl’s heroin habit began to consume him, derailing his career and destroying his health until one final, intense crisis inspired him to get clean. In his first novel, Burroughs gives a vivid, semi-autobiographical account of heroin addiction in the early 1950s.

books for recovering alcoholics

books for recovering alcoholics

This memoir chronicles Gray’s personal journey from struggling with alcohol addiction to finding unexpected joy in a sober lifestyle. Through candid and humorous storytelling, she shares the challenges and triumphs of navigating social situations, dating, and self-discovery without alcohol. This book about alcoholics offers practical advice, heartfelt encouragement, and a refreshing perspective on the benefits of sobriety. Whether you’re sober-curious or seeking inspiration on your own journey to recovery, Gray’s honest and relatable writing will leave you feeling empowered and hopeful. The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober is a must-read for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and uplifting take on the sober life. Moehringer is a captivating memoir that delves into the author’s coming-of-age story in a Long Island bar.