As heard on BBC Radio 4 and RTE Radio 1 A WATERSTONES BEST FOOD AND DRINK BOOK OF 2022 'An easy read mixture of wit and wisdom ... should be read by all who drink more than the limit' Prof David Nutt, author of Drink? The New Science of Alcohol and Your Health The popular broadcaster and columnist sets out to discover the unsung pleasures of drinking in moderation. The recommended alcohol limit is 14 units a week. Adrian Chiles used to put away almost 100. Ever since he was a teenager, drinking was his idea of a good time - and not just his, but seemingly the whole nation's. Still, it wasn't very good for him: the doctor made that clear. If you lined them up, Adrian must have knocked back three miles of drinks. How many of them had he genuinely wanted? A mile? There's an awful lot of advice out there on how to quit booze completely. If you just want to drink a bit less, the pickings are slim. Yet while the alcohol industry depends on a minority of problem drinkers, the majority really do enjoy in moderation. What's their secret? Join the inimitable Chiles as he sets out around Britain and plumbs his only slightly fuzzy memories of a lifetime in pubs in a quest to find the good drinker within.

I have worked in the substance misuse field as a therapist, couples counsellor and family behavioural therapist for ten years and I feel that I have learned a lot about this client group and addictions, both from my colleagues and from my clients. It's very easy to get involved with drugs in this day and age, there is likely to be a 'dealer' within a mile of anyone's home. No matter what type of area you come from drugs are not defined by class. It is extremely hard to come off drugs, once you are entrenched in them, by yourself. It takes motivation, willpower and it needs to be because you want to stop, not other people wanting you to stop. Some people would define substance misuse as an illness, for me that is difficult to accept. Illnesses are things that happen to us that are out of our control. For example illnesses like diabetes, colds and flu, thyroid disorders and cancer. We don't ask for these illnesses, they just come. Whereas substance misuse is self inflicted, we choose to take drugs, we don't choose to get cancer. So maybe we could call it a self inflicted illness. I do believe however that what maintains people's use is ill health i.e. emotional or psychological ill health and/or mental illness. Either due to life events/experiences, issues caused by their drug use or issues that were pre existing their drug use therefore they self medicate. People take illicit drugs for all sorts of reasons, some of which I will be exploring in this book, but what I have learned most from my work with substance using clients is that for whatever reason they started taking drugs, i.e. to experiment, to manage painful emotions, to manage mental health problems, peer pressure and so on, they then continue to take them to obliterate the past, the shame, the guilt for starting drugs in the first place and for all the hurt that they feel that they have caused themselves and others. This then becomes a block to recovery, facing all the people who they have hurt can be pretty challenging when they are clean. What I have also learned is that the media, and society in general have a lack of empathy and can be quite judgemental about drug users. On the contrary they have been some of the nicest people that I have met. My motivation for writing this book is that we are living in an age where therapy is becoming more and more difficult to access, waiting lists are far too long and 'brief' therapy appears to be the answer to everyone's problems, I learned during my own therapeutic journey both as a client and as a therapist many tools that can help us to begin to learn more about ourselves and change the 'things' that are impacting on our lives in a negative way. As in my previous books "I shall wear purple" and "I shall be blue" I wanted to share the tools I have learned and developed over the years that have helped clients to make changes in their drug using behaviours, with therapists and clients to support people in their struggle with substance misuse. Although this book is by no means a tool to replace therapy, nothing can beat the process of a good therapeutic relationship and the excellent work that therapists worldwide do. Nor is it a tool to replace medical intervention, or the great work that drug workers do across the country. It is a tool to start you on that journey, to give you an insight into different therapeutic models so that you can decide which therapeutic model feels the right one for you, (we are all different and what works for one, does not always work for another) and to give you an appreciation on what therapy is about, how it works and how it can change your life and the way that you function as a human being. This way you are in charge of your own treatment journey and can decide which treatment model will work best for you. I hope that this book offers you the above and more.

Refuge Recovery is a proven practice, a process, a set of tools, a treatment, and a path to healing addiction.

Refuge Recovery is a Buddhist-oriented, nontheistic recovery program that does not ask anyone to believe anything, only to trust the process and do the hard work of recovery. In fact, no previous experience or knowledge of Buddhism is required. Recovery is possible, and this book provides a systematic approach to treating and recovering from all forms of addictions. When sincerely practiced, the program will ensure a full recovery from addiction and a lifelong sense of well-being and happiness.

This book provides a framework for implementing a 21st century, effective, addiction treatment program. This non-12 step practice guide is inspired by research evidence about best practices and what actually works. The approach is humanistic and pragmatic and it facilitates natural recovery by empowering clients to make use of their innate strengths. Effective Addiction Treatment: The Minnesota Alternative incorporates cutting-edge, evidence-based best practices including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral strategies, neuroscience, individualized treatment planning, harm reduction, motivational and person-centered care. This succinct and very readable book clearly describes the successful Minnesota Alternative approach to 12 step programs. It is well-organized, well-written, and includes extensive Appendices. It is encyclopedic yet compact, positive and uplifting without minimizing the challenges of recovery, based on hard science and written with the contagious passion of a highly dedicated professional. Effective Addiction Treatment: The Minnesota Alternative is an excellent introduction to the emerging world of alternative recovery. AA/NA and other 12 step self-help groups have helped countless people recover and improve their lives. It works for many, many people. However, there are some people, who for various reasons, have not engaged in the self-help movement of AA and/or who have had unsatisfactory experiences with treatment programs using 12 step facilitation. Alternative approaches are needed.

Drug use turns into abuse and addiction when the person begins experiencing urges and cravings. At this point, the user's mind finds a way to rationalize the addiction or deny that they even have a problem. The user begins to lose control over their drug use and may even underestimate the amount of drugs they are taking. While the amount of drugs a person takes does not necessarily indicate a problem, it is often an indicator of drug addiction. Change is never easy. Both addicts and non-addicts struggle to make positive changes in their lives every day. However, when you are dealing with a drug addiction, change suddenly becomes inevitable. Otherwise, the only fate the addict will meet is an early grave. It is never too late to make a change and you can never be too forgone to recover. Yes, there will be setbacks, bumps and maybe even some relapses along the way, but each challenge you face will help you to grow and learn. Deciding to change takes courage and will require a lot of work on your end. It will not be easy, but you will be rewarded with a life that is healthy and more fulfilling. Deciding to recover means that you understand that you will have to make many major life changes. The good news is that recovery is a process, and you can take things one step at a time. From what drug addiction is to various therapies and treatment options and what to expect after completion of treatment, this book will thoroughly discuss and enlighten. After all, a solid base of knowledge can be the first vital step towards freedom from drugs.

My Beautiful Daughter is an inspirational true story about a daughters fight against drug addiction through the eyes of her mother. Louise goes from a happy contented child, to a self destructive drug addict. The impact that it would have on her family especially her parents is key to it all. The story starts where the mother is looking back over the years to when it began, and how she coped with trying to help her daughter, but at the same time having to come to terms with the fact that she may lose her. It covers the constant battle over the lack of help and advice for parents from the professionals. Whilst dealing with her grief on a daily basis, she struggles to understand why this is happening. Then she has to come to terms with the revelation that a terrible event caused her beautiful daughter to take heroin in the first place, leaving the whole family distraught. Finally as her daughter battles to stay clean, a serious life threatening health problem is diagnosed which is one of the consequences of her years of drug abuse. Every time her mother thinks that its nearly over, another challenge emerges and another fight begins. This is a very emotionally charged account of pure desperation from her parents, determined to get back the daughter they feel is lost to them, never giving up hope and at times barely keeping sane, and while their daughter fights her addiction they have to face up to the trauma that led to her drug abuse.

When Renee Hodges invited her nephew, Bobby, to come stay with her for a few weeks so he could visit a doctor about his back pain, she knew he was recovering from an addiction to prescription painkillers. She believed that if he could address his back problems, he would have a better chance of staying clean--but she had no idea what a roller coaster ride she was getting on. Unlike other books about addiction, Saving Bobby begins after rehab is over. Told in part through journal entries, e-mails, and personal recollections, this raw, honest, deeply moving memoir--begun to keep the family accountable--describes the sixteen months that Hodges, her husband, and their community struggled alongside Bobby as he attempted to successfully re-enter the day-to-day world. Using a holistic and open approach, the shame and stigma associated with addiction was lessened--and ultimately, Bobby learned he had to save himself. A gripping and heartrending story of survival, Saving Bobby is an essential, timely read for those concerned about America's most pressing epidemic.

Anne McTiernan begins her second memoir at age twenty-nine, soon after completing her doctoral training in public health research at the University of Washington. She and her husband are now parents to four-year-old and three-month-old girls. She realizes that jobs in her field are scarce, especially for women and decides she needs better credentials to land a job. Overcoming her fear and life-long struggle with inadequacy, Anne moves the family 3,000 miles to New York, where she begins medical school. Within a few months of starting this new life, Anne is in deep trouble. She cannot handle the competing demands and feels isolated. The stress builds, until Anne suffers a series of paralyzing panic attacks that threaten her ability to function. She begins psychotherapy and starts on a journey of self-discovery, realizing she has to change to survive. Cured is the follow-up to her 2016 release Starved and differs from other physician memoirs in its themes of motherhood, mental illness, and the perspective of a female physician on how she turned adversity into a strength and set of skills.

Addiction: An Information Guide is the latest in the series of CAMH guides for clients and families. Written by professional counsellors, this concise and easy-to-read booklet includes information on: - what addiction is - what causes addiction - addiction treatment and other support options - recovery and relapse prevention - help for partners and families - explaining addiction to children. The guide also recommends books and websites where people can learn more, and includes contact information for organizations and services that can offer support. Professionals may wish to offer this guide to their clients and families and use it to introduce and discuss issues. People with substance use problems and their families may wish to order this guide for themselves. The guide is also useful for health and social service workers, students, journalists and anyone else wanting to gain a basic understanding of addiction, its effects and treatment.

This is a book written from the heart to touch the heart. The purpose is to give support and hope to women in recovery, to dispel the fear of treatment, and to show how to deal with feelings without drinking or using drugs in everyday life situations. While the book primarily focuses on women, it is a helpful tool for anyone living a 12-Step program. It is a journey of recovery from awareness of the problem, through treatment and life after treatment. Anyone who thinks alcohol may be a problem in their life will identify with the women who share their stories, their innermost thoughts and feelings. Most important, the book gives suggestions for dealing with everyday situations as a sober, healthy person. The theme is simple: I can't, He can, I think I'll let Him. In the course of writing the book, the manuscript was shared with several women in recovery and with a close friend who thought she might have a problem with alcohol but who was too frightened to go to A.A. Reading the first 60 pages gave her the courage to go to her first A.A. meeting and she's been sober ever since. So, before even going to press, the book was a success! Back Cover: Desperate, out of hope, afraid of dying yet afraid to live...covering up, making excuses, wanting to stop destructive behavior...every person who has known despair can relate to this book, but especially the woman alcoholic. It is written from the heart to touch the heart, a journey of recovery, from awareness through treatment and beyond, to everyday life situations. It's an upbeat testimonial of women sharing their innermost fears, their struggles, their triumphs, of staying sober no matter what happens. It's a hand outstretched to anyone who wants a healthier life, who wants to climb out of a black hole, to deal with feelings that have been dead for years. It's for anyone who wants to live as a happy, sober, aware, emotionally balanced person. The women interviewed have "been there," and have conquered their fear and despair. They generously share their struggles and stories of 12-Step recovery to help others. "An excellent and comforting book that would benefit every woman in recovery." Toby Rice Drews, Getting Them Sober books

America has a secret. Hidden beneath underreported and misreported national medical statistics is the sobering fact that alcoholism is the # 2 killer in this country, second only to cancer There are over 20 million active alcoholics in the United States alone, costing the national economy over 30 billion dollars a year. Many believe that the numbers are even higher, since the treatment costs of the multiple physical complications caused by late stage alcoholism are often not included in alcoholism-related statistics. Alcoholism is a silent and deadly epidemic that is putting a disastrous strain on the entire global community. And it is rapidly getting worse. Latest medical discoveries reveal that genetic make-up, hormones, brain chemistry and enzymes all play a crucial role in the evolution of the disease of alcoholism. Shifting societal norms and cultural trends play another. At present, significant scientific technology and research is focused on exploring ancient techniques and practices to better understand the sources of their healing potential, as well as the role of neuropeptides and the body's chemistry for alternative drug therapies. "Dying for a Drink" is a timely and groundbreaking book about the three phases of the disease of alcoholism and brings to light the latest developments for successful treatment. The book clearly explains what alcoholism is, what it is not, and, most importantly, what steps to take if you or a loved one is affected. This is a must-read for healthcare professionals, employee assistance workers and individuals. Dr. Meunier's writing style is delightfully user friendly, informative and filled with hope for the individuals and families suffering from this disease.

No one knows how to bring women's sexual fantasies to life better than Candida Royalle. After starring in twenty-five adult film classics, she moved behind the camera to launch her own groundbreaking line of female-friendly erotic films. In "How to Tell a Naked Man What to Do, " Royalle shares her personal and professional expertise to help women realize their own sexual needs and fantasies -- and bring confidence and creativity into their bedrooms.
In this book you'll find a blueprint for directing your own sex life. Packed with entertaining Director's Notes, Candida Close-Ups, and other tricks of the trade, Royalle shows you how to:
- Create Your Character: Great sex begins with knowing what you want and how to get it. Discover the private fantasies you long to fulfill.
- Set the Stage: Prepare any room for seduction using the most flattering lighting and music to set the mood.
- Bring in Props: The best sex toys for you and your lover.
- Dress the Part: Sexy costume suggestions, wardrobe do's and don'ts, and tips on how to select the best lingerie for your body type.
- Learn Your Lines: Conquer stage fright and tell him what turns you on
- Have the Performance of Your Life: Fulfill your erotic potential and get the most out of your leading man.
...and other behind-the-scenes advice for stripping yourself of inhibitions, nurturing your sexiest desires, and transforming yourself into the star of your own sizzling fantasy

IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award GOLD Winner in Autobiography & Memoir A remarkable story of love, loss, and hope Author Tyra Manning learned that her husband had been killed in the Vietnam War from her psychiatrist at the Menninger Clinic, where she had been hospitalized for clinical depression. After years of battling addiction and depression, and coping with the tragic loss of her father at a very early age, Tyra's worst fear had come true. Larry had been shot down over the Laotian jungle while flying a top-secret mission, just two weeks before their daughter's second birthday. In this beautifully written, poignant memoir, Tyra Manning recounts how she was able to persevere in the face of devastating loss. With courage, love, and determination, she overcame her grief and fulfilled promises she made to Larry before he left for Vietnam. She ultimately earned a doctorate of education from the University of Kansas and became one of the nation's top school superintendents. When Tyra received a call from the air force in 2006, she was able to keep one last promise to Larry. His remains had finally been excavated after thirty-five years, and she was able to honor his wish to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Where the Water Meets the Sand explores themes of loss, depression, addiction, courage, and love and offers hope to individuals and families who have also dealt with the loss of someone close to them.

The candid autobiography of all-star pitcher "Sudden Sam" McDowell, whose alcohol-fueled life quickly and famously spiraled out of control, and his ultimate redemption as a counselor for other athletes suffering from addiction. Sam McDowell seemed to have it all. Considered by many to be the next Sandy Koufax when he signed with the Cleveland Indians, Sam boasted one of the fastest arms in major league baseball. But on the inside, he was playing in an alcoholic fog, beset by addiction, depression, narcissism, and thoughts of suicide. The Saga of Sudden Sam: The Rise, Fall, and Redemption of Sam McDowell is the fascinating autobiography of the six-time American League all-star pitcher and self-admitted "worst drunk in baseball." Sam holds nothing back, sharing the pressures he felt as a young baseball phenom, his frustrations over a lack of coaching to help develop his talent, the pitfalls of his dangerous alcoholic lifestyle, and his attempted suicide. When "Sudden Sam" finally hit rock bottom, certain he had been defeated by alcoholism, he instead found hope, rehabilitation, and sobriety. After extensive education and training, he emerged as the first successful counselor in major league baseball. Sam helped to turn around the lives of players who, just like him, had fallen into the abyss of addiction or faced psychological and emotional problems that were destroying their careers. With details of his own severe battles with depression and addiction told alongside the struggles of players who came to him for help, The Saga of Sudden Sam offers special insight into the longstanding addiction issues that plague Major League Baseball. It also provides understanding and hope to anyone struggling with addiction and shows that recovery is attainable.

"P is for Prostitution" is a primer unlike any you will have read before, the ABC approach far from simplistic. Through various episodes the author charts her own insights into addiction and the kind of existence that inevitably goes with this. Each letter marks a step on a journey into the lowest circles of hell in which the "author's creativity and intellect is misdirected towards a chaotic, nihilistic and devastating existence" (reader's foreword). There are moments of black comedy, sexual horror, and final, uneasy redemption in which the author reclaims the trajectory of her life.

An unflinching and hilarious memoir about recovery as a mother of young kids, BOTTLED explains the perils mums face with drinking and chronicles the author's path to sobriety, from hitting bottom to the months of early sobriety-a blur of pain and chaos-to her now (in)frequent moments of peace and offers empathy, comic relief and encouragement for mums everywhere.

Though a number of books covering adolescent substance abuse are available, there are very few resources that explore the topic in the context of Family Systems Therapy (FST). Youth and Their Families offers an expanded view of the therapeutic process with a specific focus on the relationship between therapists, adolescents, families, communities, and substance use. By applying an FST lens, the clinician learns to view their client as an entire family system being affected by adolescent substance abuse. Furthermore, FST can be used at every stage of the substance abuse intervention continuum (from prevention to intervention) to provide increased functioning and strength in the family system. This book incorporates easily applicable clinical skill acquisition with the use of lively cases to give the reader requisite skills to be an effective family systems therapist.