Fifty Years Sober

"The reality is that if I hadn't stopped drinking and drugging at twenty-five years of age, I wouldn't have made twenty-six." This is Ross Fitzgerald's 42nd book, an updated edition of his 2010 book My Name is Ross. Although he has now succeeded in not drinking alcohol or using drugs for 50 years, in this revised edition the author still calls himself an alcoholic, and pays extended tribute to the role of Alcoholics Anonymous in keeping him on the wagon. His involvement in AA has become a way of life; he still attends two or three meetings a week. A key aspect of AA's therapeutic process involves what can be termed the mechanism of surrender. Instead of telling alcoholics to use their willpower, control their drinking or pull up their socks, AA suggests that a much more efficacious strategy is to admit that, at least in relation to alcohol, they are beaten. With his insight into the scourge of numerous kinds of addiction, Fitzgerald traces the journey of many alcoholics and drug addicts. In this brutally honest and intimate portrayal of his fascinating life - his struggles as well as his successes - Fitzgerald doesn't shy away from his difficult times and regrets, but ultimately has written an uplifting and inspiring book. With the prevalence of alcohol in our daily lives for every celebration or sad occasion, a book like this is needed more than ever.

1000 Years of Sobriety features the moving personal accounts of twenty men and women who have each remained sober for more than fifty years. These are the real "old timers," keepers of the wisdom, men and women from around the world who are among the dwindling generations who joined Alcoholics Anonymous when Bill W. was still alive, and whose very commitment to sobriety is a testament to the enduring power of the program. The inspiring accounts collected here follow the time-tested formula used by millions of people who share their stories of hope in AA meetings every day: They tell us what they were like as active alcoholics, what triggered their decision to join AA, and the dramatic details of how they got sober--and how they've stayed sober for more than fifty years. Each story concludes with sage words of advice for others in recovery. Those who share their stories in 1000 Years of Sobriety are living proof that the human connection bonded by the Twelve Steps has unsurpassed powers, and that AA is a program for generations to come.

Twenty people who have each been sober for more than fifty years tell their recovery stories--and offer actionable advice to others who are in recovery. 1000 Years of Sobriety features the moving personal accounts of twenty men and women who have each remained sober for more than fifty years. These are the real "old timers," keepers of the wisdom, men and women from around the world who are among the dwindling generations who joined Alcoholics Anonymous when Bill W. was still alive, and whose very commitment to sobriety is a testament to the enduring power of the program.The inspiring accounts collected here follow the time-tested formula used by millions of people who share their stories of hope in AA meetings every day: They tell us what they were like as active alcoholics, what triggered their decision to join AA, and the dramatic details of how they got sober--and how they've stayed sober for more than fifty years. Each story concludes with sage words of advice for others in recovery.Those who share their stories in 1000 Years of Sobriety are living proof that the human connection bonded by the Twelve Steps has unsurpassed powers, and that AA is a program for generations to come.

When an individual who is having trouble with alcohol is able to put it down, there is cause for celebration. A life has been saved. A return to a normal, healthy life is frequently astounding. They were difficult, unpredictable, angry and frequently depressed. In a matter of weeks, it all seems to be over. All is well now...right? Maybe not. An early release from alcohol also presents the need to deal with alcoholism over the next thirty, forty, or fifty years. Insidious character defects have a tendency to pop up with disturbing regularity. Our author shows how he has lived through these unpleasant discoveries and the ways he has been helped by those around him to continue alcohol recovery over a period of 40+ years. There is no lecturing. Sober and Miserable is straightforward and, at times, darkly humorous. The author confronts his personal shortcomings in an open and honest way that hopefully many will identify with and be able to apply to their own lives in recovery. There is a strong sense of hope presented in these chapters and for its sheer practical value, this book should appeal to anyone in recovery, those who work with alcoholics and families/friends of alcoholics in recovery. There will no doubt be some "Ah Ha!" moments as you read this book. While Sober and Miserable is based on the experience of one man, many of the lessons may be applied to improve the life of anyone willing to look at him/herself clearly. The ultimate message is one of hope. Its message is simply that peace is attainable if you are willing to work for it!

In this portable recovery aftercare program, Earnie Larsen coaches readers through one full year of sobriety with personal, practical, actionable steps to help them refocus on the core concepts that are essential to sober living. Make no mistake about the intention of the guidance offered in this book. This is not just another "nice recovery book"--one that you read and then put aside, hopefully taking away a few good thoughts. My intention is that the material offered here should be chewed, pulled apart, scrutinized, and internalized. This book is designed to be worked. It is intended to provide support, insights, and exercises that will do something about the high relapse rate of people starting recovery.>-Earnie Larsen, From the introduction In this invaluable guide, renowned author and lecturer Earnie Larsen brings you a portable recovery aftercare program that you can easily integrate into your personal life ?and take with you anywhere you go.Now That You're Sober is an all-purpose, year-long compendium of recovery wisdom and inspiration to help those who are newly sober focus on practical applications of Twelve Step principles. Like a traditional aftercare program, it is designed to keep the basics of recovery front and center in your consciousness, as it is the loss of this awareness that causes relapse. In his characteristic down-to-earth, tell-it-like-it-is style, Larsen serves as your recovery coach, providing guidance and inspiration when you feel vulnerable in your sobriety, and helping you to move past common stumbling blocks and flourish in your daily life. Each of his fifty-two entries includes a motivational essay, or pep talk, centered on a key element of recovery, followed by personal, practical, actionable steps to help you refocus on the concepts and behaviors that are essential in a recovering person's life.Earnie Larsen is a nationally known pioneer in the field of recovery from addictive and unwanted behaviors. He has authored and produced more than fifty-five motivational self-help books and resources on a variety of topics ranging from managing interpersonal relationships to spirituality.

A recovering alcoholic and veteran of the punk rock and spoken word scenes shares stories of getting sober, staying sober, and living a better life. Poet, comedian and author Bucky Sinister shares stories of misfits, freaks, and weirdos who have come to recovery after years of hard living pushed them to the brink. Coming from various backgrounds, these tattoo artists, bartenders, musicians, flight attendants and others all needed to answer the all-important question: What Now? Bucky Sinister knows all too well the power that words contain. Sober since February 19th, 2002, he’s traveled near and far to share tales from the trenches about the ups and downs of living sober. Using a mixture of poetic reflection, autobiography and philosophy, Bucky Sinister goes beyond the 12-step guide, offering a manual to unpacking the mind and finding clarity.

No matter what happens, you don't have to pick up a drink or drug today." These words tend to strike fear in the hearts of many alcoholics and addicts who are new to recovery, because just one day without booze or drugs may as well be an eternity. It can seem like an impossible task to get through twenty-four hours, never mind a week or a month - so just how do we get that proverbial monkey off our back? This book is full of suggestions that can work for anyone who is new to recovery or trying to get clean and sober again. The author has drawn on her own experiences and that of others in early recovery to determine the 'Fifty Things Every Alcoholic and Addict Should Know, ' including: The First Thirty Days - What to expect and how to get through it Things to Avoid - Protecting your recovery and coping with stress Relapse - Warning signs and moving forward if it happens Family - How to include them and re-build relationship Dating in Recovery - The not so good, the bad and the ugly Dry Drunk - How not to be one Twelve Step Programs - How they work and what you should know "If you have a substance abuse problem and want to quit or are new to sobriety and don't know what to expect, read this book. It's different, down to earth and a very easy read. 'Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down is not your typical recovery book". - Tom Chenault, Radio Talk Show Host and Recovering Alcoholic.

There is no such thing as an alcoholic and there is no such disease as alcoholism! (as society understands it). Whether you agree with this statement or not, one thing is for sure, you will never see alcohol in the same light ever again after reading this book. Jason Vale takes an honest and hard hitting look at people's conceptions of our most widely consumed drug. Jason's major argument is there is no such thing as an 'alcoholic' and that we are conditioned to accept alcohol as a 'normal' substance in today's society despite the fact that it is the major cause of many of today's social problems and a wide range of health issues. This book is much more than a simple eye opener, it will: change the way you see alcohol forever; show you how to stop drinking; help you enjoy the process and enjoy your life so much more than you do now without having to drink alcohol. So open your mind and take a journey with Jason to explore the myths about the most used and accepted drug addiction in the world!