12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery: Avoiding Relapse Through Self Awareness & Right Action

Description

In the wise, warm language that has won him such a wide readership, Dr. Berger explores twelve common beliefs and attitudes that can sabotage recovery – and he  provides tools working through those problems in everyday life. He reminds us to grow in recovery, we must grow up emotionally. With this book we have a helpful guide on that adventure.

Testimonial

“Dear Dr. Berger,

My name is Matt Blagys.  I am a licensed clinical psychologist and the clinical director of an addiction and dual diagnosis residential treatment center in Novato, CA (Marin County outside of San Francisco).  I had previously read your “12 Stupid Things” book and have just finished reading “12 Smart Things”.  They have both been life changing for me and I wanted to thank you for writing them.

I have significant training in psychoanalysis, working with treatment resistance, and utilizing somatic trauma interventions.  I also strongly believe in AA and its teachings for living, though I am not in personal addiction recovery.

Though I have felt both are necessary for recovery and highly compatible, I have often felt a troubling disconnect between the psychological and addiction arms of recovery treatment.  I feel like your books and their focus on emotion dependence/sobriety provide an incredible point of integration between psychology, the neurobiology of emotions, the centrality of relationships, and the 12 step model.

I can’t thank you enough for the depth of understanding I feel I have gained from reading your books.  They are practical as well as deeply thought provoking and emotionally touching.  I look forward to integrating the wisdom gleaned from my reading into our treatment program!

Sincerely,
Dr. Matt Blagys”

“I recently read 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery by Dr. Allen Berger and it is one of the best books on recovery that I have read. As I am in recovery, this has been very insightful into the complexities of the disease of addiction. I plan on using it as a one of my daily life tools and am already sharing it with other people in recovery. Thank you so much Dr. Berger, I plan on reading more of your books and look forward to helping others with the knowledge you are giving us.”

Gail McGregor

“This book is a great recovery resource. After reading it I chose it to study in our 12 step class. It has been an excellent choice. There is good information about addiction, keen insight into the head of the addict, and it is presented in an easily understandable way. I would recommend it for almost any setting.”

D. Sims

“This book is a great recovery resource. After reading it I chose it to study in our 12 step class. It has been an excellent choice. There is good information about addiction, keen insight into the head of the addict, and it is presented in an easily understandable way. I would recommend it for almost any setting.”

Midwest Book Review

“I seriously learned so much from this book and what the REAL problems are. I am just starting out and I felt so hopeful and positive and UNDERSTOOD every time I put down this book. I know now that what I truly seek is emotional sobriety. God bless the author.”

NewMacGirl

“I have used Twelve Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery with inmates in jail as well as residents in drug rehab completing jail sentences there. Every client has rated this book EXCELLENT. I find that Dr. Berger’s vivid and concrete descriptions of obstacles to recovery speak to these folks because they can easily find themselves in them. We sometimes read the text together, stop and talk based on their personal experiences or at times I give them study guides to work on and we talk from these. Both ways of handling the material are successful. I am so grateful for having found this book.”

Sister Dion Horrigan

“As a physician addictionologist, I highly recommend this book for anyone in recovery, thinking about recovery, wanting more from recovery or working with recovering people in any capacity. Dr. Berger combines his extensive personal experience with his many years as a therapist to target 12 of the top stumbling blocks people face at any stage of their journey. (These are great lessons for everyone, recovering or not). He makes his points using references from the scientific literature as well as examples from clients and personal experiences. 12 Stupid Things is short, easy, interesting and fun to read and perfect for a recovery tune-up. I actually read it in one sitting!”

DocDawn

“Absolutely excellent book. Everyone who is an addict (alcoholic or drugs) and everyone who knows an addict should read this book. I am ordering more copies for family and friends.”

Llable