Alcoholism self-help is liberating. There are no meetings. No need to self-label. There are no 12 steps. No submission to any “Higher Power.” There are no demands.
Overview
I. Alcoholism Self-Help
II. Resources
I. Alcoholism Self-Help
Reading and following suggestions found in alcoholism self-help books makes it easier. This can help people either abstain or drinking in moderation.
Most of the materials listed here are especially useful to those who wish to reduce or moderate their drinking.
Important Facts
Addictions expert Dr. William R. Miller and a colleague examined at least 32 controlled clinical trials of behavioral self-control training. They discovered some important facts.
- Drinkers who seek help (including reading self-help books) to reduce their drinking are generally experiencing significant drinking problems. But they are not as seriously dependent on alcohol as those who enter abstinence-focused treatment programs.
- Drinkers who receive behavioral self-control training generally reduce their alcohol consumption. Usually by 50-70%. They also greatly reduce their risk of alcohol-related social and health problems.
Drinkers who simply use a self-help guide tend to be as successful as those who receive outpatient behavioral self-control training.- Those who are most successful in maintaining moderate drinking tend to have less severe problems and alcohol dependence.1
Government Research
People have an amazing ability for alcoholism self-help. More than one-third (35.9%) of adult alcoholics in the U.S. are now in full recovery. A federal agency (NIAAA) made the report. Its nation-wide research yielded the findings.
The fully recovered people have no symptoms. Neither of alcohol abuse or alcoholism. They either abstain from alcohol or drink in moderation. The vast majority achieved their success without any treatment or therapy of any kind. See Alcoholics Can Recover from Alcoholism & Drink in Moderation.
The bottom line. Alcoholism self-help can be highly effective.
II. Resources
Two lists of alcoholism self-help books are provided below.
Books on the first list are in WorldCat. It’s the world’s largest network of library content and services. It is the largest “library card catalog” in existence.
The second list contains those books for which information is provided on Amazon but not on WorldCat.
1. First List of Alcoholism Self-Help Books
To learn more about a book in this list, simply click on the title. This leads to WorldCat. It describes the book and shows which libraries have it. It also provides information helpful for ordering the book from a bookstore or on the internet.
How to change your drinking. Anderson, K. NY: HAMS.
Responsible drinking. Rotgers, F,. et al. Oakland: New Harbinger.
Over the influence. Denning, P., et al. NY: Guilford.
Sex, drugs, gambling, & chocolate : a workbook for overcoming addictions. Horvath, A. Atascadero, CA: Impact.
Controlling your drinking. Miller, W. and Muñoz, R. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Recovery options. Volpicelli, J. and Szalavitz, M. NY: Wiley.
Changing for good. Prochaska, J., et al. NY: Morrow.
Sober for good: new solutions. Fletcher. A. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Saying when: how to quit drinking or cut down. Sanchez-Craig, M. Toronto: ARF.
The miracle method. Miller, S. and Berg. I. NY: Norton.
When AA doesn’t work for you. Albert, A. and Velten, E. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade.
How to quit drinking without AA. Dorsman, J. Rocklin, CA: Prima.
Avoiding Relapse and Choosing Emotional Sobriety. Berger, A. NY: Hazelden.
The cure for alcoholism. The Sinclair method. Eskapa, R. Dallas: BenBella.
The addiction workbook. Fanning, P. and O’Neill, J. Oakland: New Harbinger.
The mindfulness workbook for addiction. Williams, R.. and Kraft, J. Oakland: New Harbinger.
The recovery book. Mooney, A. et al. NY: Workman.
The wisdom to know the difference. Wilson, K. and DuFrene, T. Oakland: New Harbinger.
Beyond the influence. Ketcham. K. and Asbury, W. NY: Bantam.
Empathic attunement. Rowe, C. and MacIsaac, D. Northvale, NJ: Aronson.
No more letting go. Jay, D. NY: Bantam.
Cognitive Behavioral Approach
Cognitive behavioural therapy workbook for dummies. Branch, R. et al. Wiley.
Ordinary recovery. Alexander, B. Boston: Shamb.
How to stay sober. Christopher, J. Buffalo: Prometh.
Overcoming your alcohol habits. DeSena, J. Tucson: See Sharp.
Many roads, one journey. Kasl, C. NY: Harperl.
The art of moderation. Michael, J. Mill Valley, CA: Vision.
The miracle method. Miller, S. and Berg, I. NY: Norton.
Controlling your drinking. Miller, W. and Muñoz, R. NY: Guilford.
Alternatives to abstinence. Ogilvie, H. NY: Hatherleigh.
Problem drinkers: guided self-change. Sobell, M. and Sobell, L. NY: Guilford.
The small book. Trimpey, J. NY: Delacorte.
The better way to drink. Vogler, R. and Bartz, W. Oakland: New Harbinger.
2. Second List of Alcoholism Self-Help Books
The following books are not in WorldCat. To learn about a book in this list, click on the title. It links to to Amazon.com. You can read about or order the book there.
Being Sober & Staying Sober by V. Morgan.
Overcome the Alcohol Addiction Problem by Z. Tresek.
The Alcoholism Cure by S. Hall.
I Can’t Stop (drinking), by M. Herrmann.
Cutting Back, by R. Cotton.
How to Stop Drinking by L. Hemingway
Alcohol Addiction Relief by C. Scott.
The Binge Drinking Solution by B. Tideas.
Quit Drinking / Stay Sober: The Easy Way by A. Verg
The 12-Step Buddhist by D. Littlejohn
Alcohol Addiction Cure by D. Collins.
Powerless No Longer by P. Soderman and M. Werner
Alcoholism Treatment For Being Happy Again by F. Owell.
Staying Sober Without AA by Charles Deemer
How to cure alcoholism by A. Marrero.
How To Conquer Your Alcoholism, by D. Williams.
Footnote
1. Adapted from Miller, W., and Munoz, R. Controlling Your Drinking. Tools to Make Moderation Work for You. NY: Guilford. Pp. x-xi.