SRC Recommends Books on recovery (and related subjects) with a non-religious theme
 

How to Stay Sober, by James Christopher
The book that started an international grass movement! James Christopher describes his own « recovery without religion and focuses on practical aspects of his triumph over alcoholism and includes  guidelines for the formation of SOS groups.
  

Unhooked, by James Christopher

James Christopher recounts the evolution of SOS and details cases of recovery through the SOS approach. He invites the reader to sit in on a fictional SOS meeting, and offers further strategies for maintaining sobriety and self-respect.

 

SOS Sobriety :  "The Proven Alternative to 12-Step Programs" by James Christopher

This book makes a stinging critique of « controlled drinking programs, as well as the drink industry and AA’s insistence that alcoholism is a behavioral problem. Shows the truth that addiction is rooted in physiology and genetics. Focuses on the limitations of AA/NA recovery programs and the success of the SOS alternative, which is documented by two scientific studies, backed up by interviews with addiction experts and legal professionals and separate moving, individual, recovery stories.

The Small Book by Jack Trimpey

Recovery or relapse is a choice each alcohol-and drug-dependent person makes daily. Now . . . the founder of Rational Recovery Systems offers "addicts" the most empowering choice of all: the opportunity to free themselves from substance abuse forever, not through he invocation of a "higher Power," but through the  power of reason. A long-awaited counterpoint to 12-step theology
Overcoming Your Alcohol, Drug & Recovery Habits by James DeSena

Written especially for people who are bogged down by AA's approach. DeSena exposes and debunks many of AA's teachings - teachings that some find insulting, absurd and self-defeating. Then he presents a way of quitting an addiction that works through effort and a new set of beliefs, and does not rely on religious ideas. If you haven't gotten the help you expect from AA, read this book. Philip Tate, PhD, author of Alcohol: How to Give It Up and Be Glad You Did.

Living and Enjoying Life Free of Alcohol and Drugs. A Workbook, by Martin Nicolaus.

Recovery by Choice tool for those who want to build their personal recovery program in a structured, systematic manner. In its 300 pages, you will find dozens of worksheets and exercises that address major issues facing most people in recovery.  The book does not contain a prescribed recovery program, other than the "prime directive" : Don't Drink Or Use No Matter What. Its purpose, rather, is to assist you in devising a recovery path tailor-made for your particular background, personality, and environment.  Order direct from LifeRing Press.  ==>  http://www.unhooked.com/lifering.com/index.html

WHEN AA DOESN'T WORK FOR YOU  :  Rational Steps to Quitting Alcohol by Albert Ellis, PhD, and Emmett Velten, PhD

Of the many methods that have been devised to help people quit their problem drinking and change their lives, a few originated by pioneering self-help groups--such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Rational Recovery--have had considerable success.  But not with everybody.  When AA Doesn't Work for You is the first book in which the world-famous founder of RET, Dr. Albert Ellis applies the powerful insights of rational-emotive therapy specifically to recovery from problem drinking. RET is truly a rational guide to quitting alcohol.

AA Not The Only Way, by Melanie Solomon

AA - Not The Only Way fills an important niche in the recovery literature. It offers a compact but wide-ranging guide to addiction support and treatment options. The author's recovery story will also be an inspiration to those who find themselves battling a one-size-fits-all system that is supposed to be helping them.
   

Keepers: Voices of Secular Recovery,
Compiled and with an introduction by Martin Nicolaus
Keepers is a selection of more than 120 short items culled from among the best postings by members of the LifeRing email list during 1996 - 1999. These are messages of support, personal reflections and insights, anecdotes, helpful ideas that worked for their authors, poems, jokes, and other motivational, inspirational writings. Includes the special section: Holiday Survival Guide.  Order direct from LifeRing Press.  ==>  http://www.unhooked.com/lifering.com/keepers/index.htm
   
The Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous- Big Book 4th Edition), by anonymous

Clearly the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous advances a religious belief system in overcoming addictions. However, there is much of value here.  As this the book comes from the tradition of "one alcoholic helping another" via local support group meetings, it has established its place in history, and certainly deserves a place in this secular community.

Rich, a secular friend from Tom's LSRmail List sez:  The book that has helped me the most has to be AA's Big Book, for all it's datedness and religiosity. It's the book that first explained to me why I could no longer drink, period, without triggering more out of control drinking.