The Addiction Recovery WorkbookDr. Paula A. FreedmanPowerful Skills for Preventing Relapse Every Day
Dr. Freeman provides a super helpful and very much needed practical help workbook for those grappling with all kinds of addiction, to keep them strong in recovery and prevent relapse, aka in 12 Steps Speak, a slip. What many people don’t know is that the 12 Step Programs, while a terrific tool for many, result in still a very small percentage of folks remaining in recovery. Their “failure” (hate the term, only one I have to-date) is higher than commonly known. Even if you, a loved one, or a client/patient is doing well in the 12 Step Programs, additional practical tools like Dr. Freedman’s workbook can serve as a helpful resource to shore up your (their) recovery journey.
One of the core principles Dr. Freedman establishes on the very first page (ix) of the introduction is that Addiction (drugs, alcohol…) is something that develops, and not to be understood as a disease like Brain Disease is a disease.
One of the beliefs I remember hearing in those walls about 30 years ago when I active in one of the programs was that it is a disease which the person is born with.
However, blessedly, the current expert information I’ve read shared does describe Addiction as a cycle and a pattern of behavior which develops over time. Then we can be take responsibility for our lives and behavior and change them with great help, but no longer as a “victim” who somehow “born to it” and “destined” to perpetuate the behavior.
This is more empowering for all of us.
When it is understood that way – as a Behavior and not just an Identity – than it is behavior which can be changed, broken, redirected, and replaced. It offers much more hope than only an Identity does.
The workbook provides help, tools, and resources for the Whole person – mind and body (I would add one needs to address Spirit/Soul as well) – to address and heal each piece and aspect of the person and one’s life.
While much of the framework focuses on those struggling with Drug and/or Alcohol Addiction, she does cite it can be used for any kind of addiction. If that describes you or a loved one, rest assured, this workbook is geared for you, too!
I’m sorry, she cites, I would say irresponsibly, that “relapse …[is} a normal part of the recovery process.” It need not be. It CAN be for some. To suggest it is “normal” actually suggests it to one who is addicted that it WILL happen. It does not have to be a normal part of anyone’s recovery process. I understand her intent was mostly to let those who do relapse know that doing so can be viewed as part of a learning process and not deem it a “failure.”
However, I didn’t agree and found it irresponsible for another in the Mental Health field to suggest it. People grappling with Addiction are very susceptible to suggestion from authority figures like therapists and doctors.
Dr. Freedman provides a variety of tools throughout the workbook focused on helping readers in a self-help format to “be your own therapist.” I found her tone a little dry at times, but that’s my own personal taste. I didn’t ding the author it. Just letting you know.
Chapter 2 dedicated to Stress: Kinds of Stress and Handling it, including traumatic stress and PTSD, while the general outline is helpful, I really cannot say that using that tool alone without also working with a rock solid therapist with experience in working with Addiction, Families thereof, and possibly such Psychology tools like CBT and RBT would work. It’s a sweet idea to aim to equip people to “be your own therapist.” But actually doing the digging work, I’m sure she intends for them to be done deeply, the questions and their own weren’t quite deep enough and the outlines a bit (again) dry, in my mind. Still, using this workbook in conjunction with quality therapy I think is highly useful.
There’s also a slight misconception about Stress. Some of her descriptions about stress are things which are quite light. The Cycle of Addiction in not necessarily rooted in that level of stress, but more often the bigger stressers she does touch on also.
Chapter 5 on Relationships, especially Table 5.3 on Spotting High Risk Relationships is terrific. The absolute necessity to self-regulate the society and company you keep in Recover is paramount. Part of it is you want to be away from people who reinforce drinking and/or drugging as part of life (yes, even with something like cigarettes and getting off of tobacco) and well as guarding your mind from the Words, Maxims, and Statements people make. It’s essential to keep away from people who undermine your being Clean and Sober. And that can mean family, friends, and close loved ones. Great chapter. Includes Communication Styles as well as Boundaries!
Chapter 6 is also power packed to identify and discuss High Risk for Relapse situations and adaptive behavior. Substituting one addictive and compensating behavior for another is common. It can be ok to binge eat sugary foods like candy or lean on cigarettes in initial Recovery, but there does come a time to put those aside as well while working with an excellent therapist.
She continues the One-Day-At-A-Time philosophy. That can be great, and certainly often the only want to start off Recovery. But in terms of Neuropathways and redirecting your life, not just changing a few maladaptive behaviors, but not only Getting Your Life Back on Track, but then some and ultimately transforming it, at some point you need to decide that you close the door on that old former behavior, build a well-constructed thick brick wall on it, turn away from it, having outlined a new path and direction for your life and say to yourself: Never Again. Combine it also with What Else Instead. And might I suggest it be, a truly Transformed Life of great purpose. Uncover your purpose work and start pursuing it to cement Recover For a Lifetime.
The Workbook is terrific. I have my own quibbles about it, but I find it truly helpful. I will just say, if you find some of the material covers a topic too lightly, just remember this is but one single terrific tool. Add several great tools to your toolkit of life. If addiction is part of your story, please also work with a quality therapist, and once living clean and sober is well established, contemplate also working with a Life Coach specializing in Sober Coaching, like I do, for the practical life steps of Living that new life.
Definitely recommend!
I received a gift copy from the publisher for an honest review.