Staying Sober Without God

Staying Sober Without God is a guide for non-believers who want to get sober without an act of faith. Traditional 12-step programs push for a belief in God or a higher power. The practical 12 steps outlined in this book provide a path to lasting recovery that requires no belief in the supernatural.

"Staying Sober Without God is a guide to lasting, genuine recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction, and compulsive behaviors. Twelve-step programs have helped millions of people, but while our knowledge of addiction has evolved, the programs themselves have not. Today, we have a more thorough understanding of how to bring about lasting recovery without the need to believe in God or a supernatural being. This book is intended to give atheists, agnostics, and non-believers a guide that is grounded in rational thought and practical action. Finally, there's a path for the rest of us"--P. [4] of cover.

Until now, virtually all therapy for alcoholics and other chemical-dependent individuals has been religious in nature. Traditional support groups imply that recovery is simply not possible without reliance on a supernatural "Higher Power."The need for a secular alternative to recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction is answered in How To Stay Sober. This book can help non-religious alcoholics maintain philosophical integrity while achieving the goal of lifelong sobriety.James Christopher, a longtime sober alcoholic, offers new insights and suggestions for developing coping skills and regaining self-esteem through self-reliance. He notes that current research indicates that there is no such thing as an "alcoholic personality" - that addiction is the result of physiology, not psychology. It is only by making sobriety the number one priority in life, Christopher states, that an alcoholic or addict can achieve recovery.Christopher has spearheaded a large grassroots secular sobriety movement across the United States, and this book offers concrete guidelines for forming these groups in any community. The book also provides an important weekly diary for the recovering alcoholic to use in the crucial first year of sobriety.Sobriety must be prioritized daily - no matter what - to remain under personal control. It is only through this conscious choice, Christopher states, that an alcoholic can get back on track and begin anew the creative, fulfilling learning process of life.Recommending self-reliance and self-respect without substituting dependence on religious dogma or a "higher power" for countering an addiction to alcohol or drugs, Christopher focuses on the practical aspects of his triumph and includes guidelines for forming a secular support group.

The Sober Survival Guide - How to Free Yourself from Alcohol Forever - By Simon Chapple. Foreword by Annie Grace - Author of This Naked Mind - Control Alcohol Are you tired of thinking about drinking? Hands up if you believe any of the following about drinking alcohol to be true: I can’t have fun without alcohol. Imagine going to a party without drinking! it makes me feel less anxious or depressed; it helps me sleep; I can’t relax without it; it makes me entertaining to be around; it fits the lifestyle of my boozy friends; I like the taste of alcohol; it’s cool and sophisticated; I’m not confident enough to talk to new people without it; it helps me deal with all the problems life throws my way; it stops me worrying about how much I’m drinking (ironic, I know). If you find yourself nodding at even one of these statements, then I know how you feel. I was a heavy daily drinker for over twenty years, I too used to believe that I couldn’t live without alcohol, and that once I’d had a few drinks I was funny to be around (hilarious in fact). Are you too are tired and fed up with the routine of drinking, and want to make a change and improve your life? Or you may simply be curious about how an alcohol-free life might look for you. Could it be better? Happier? Calmer? More peaceful? Perhaps you’re already on the path to changing your relationship with booze and might have read other ‘sober books’ or taken part in programmes to help you quit. I want you to know you can do the same as me and find complete freedom from alcohol, and that you don’t have to wait for years like I did. Also, I want to reassure you that alcohol addiction is never a person’s fault, and that there’s no need to blame yourself for finding it hard to give up. It honestly isn’t as difficult as you might think, and this book will provide the support, tactics and advice you need as you progress on your sober journey. The Sober Survival Guide is unique in that it is split into two parts. The first is designed to set you up for success and put you in a place where you can find freedom from alcohol if that’s what you want. The first part of the book contains essential information for when you’re in the early stages of controlling your drinking. The second part serves as a handbook as you move forward into an alcohol-free life and is where this book comes into its own. As you read it you’ll see I’ve used my own experiences and those of the people I’ve worked with to help ensure you’re ready for the challenges, fears, and questions that will come up in the years after quitting drinking. You’ll learn how to handle the work Christmas party without a glass of bubbly in hand, the joys of sober holidays, what to do when you stop drinking but your partner won’t, and a whole lot more. With this part you can dip in and out, picking the chapters that address the problems you’re facing that day or week. This unique quit alcohol book also shares my own stories and personal accounts that helped me learn (sometimes the hard way), so as well as providing vital tools and tactics it will also leave you with a smile on your face and provide you with a fun and enjoyable read. Part memoir, part sober guide and 100% alcohol free - The Sober Survival Guide is perfect for anyone looking to free themselves from the grip of alcohol. Simon Chapple is the founder of Be Sober one of the largest online 'quit drinking' communities, he is also a speaker and works as a Certified Alcohol Coach working with This Naked Mind helping people change their relationship with alcohol. He has helped thousands of people quit drinking and has made it his life mission to spread the word about the benefits an alcohol-free life brings. Join Simon and the alcohol freedom revolution on Instagram @besoberandquit or visit www.besober.co.uk to discover more.

12 Secular Steps: An Addiction Recovery Guide is a Step working guidebook for agnostics, atheists, and others who believe addicts should be active in and accountable for their recovery. Unlike traditional Twelve Step literature, this secular adaptation of 12 Step approach neither promotes nor rejects religion and spirituality; it de-emphasizes the active role of God or a Higher Power in favor of a secular, cognitive-behavioral framework. The adapted methodologies are grounded in a biology-based foundation and philosophy.

The Twelve Steps developed by Alcoholics Anonymous are powerful tools to transform the lives of people who struggle with addiction, co-dependency, and compulsive behaviors. Unfortunately, Pagans in recovery are likely to struggle with the Christian assumptions and language found in many of these programs. This book is intended to support a Pagan's participation in any Twelve Step program, by showing that the effectiveness and relevance of these tools does not depend on a specific religious or spiritual tradition. This book attempts to bridge the gap between the Christian and Pagan understanding of the Twelve Steps, while remaining faithful to the original Twelve Step process. The Pagan in Recovery is the result of Deirdre Hebert's ability to live her Pagan faith in the midst of a program with a deeply Christian heritage, and demonstrates that anyone, of any faith, can experience freedom from addictions, compulsive or co-dependent behaviors through this process.

Featured on The Dr. Oz Show in Special Addiction Episode with Steven Tyler The disease of addiction affects 1 out of 10 people in the United States, and is a devastating—often, fatal—illness. Now, from the physician director of the renowned Betty Ford Center, comes a step-by-step plan with a realistic "one-day-at-a-time" approach to a disease that so often seems insurmountable. With a focus on reclaiming the power that comes from a life free of dependency, Being Sober walks readers through the many phases of addiction and recovery without judgment or the overly "cultish" language of traditional 12-step plans. It also addresses the latest face of this disease: the "highly functioning" addict, or someone who is still able to achieve personal and professional success even as they battle a drug or alcohol problem. Dr. Haroutunian tackles this provocative issue head-on, offering new insight into why you don't have to "bottom out" to get help. Dr. Haroutunian is himself a recovering alcoholic and knows firsthand the challenges of sobriety. His background and expertise in the field of alcohol and drug treatment give him a powerful edge and perspective that is unparalleled in his field. With a foreword written by Steven Tyler, Being Sober uses clear, straightforward language and offers a proven path toward an emotional sobriety and a rewarding new life based on gratitude, dignity, and self-respect.

A powerful exposé of Alcoholics Anonymous, 12-step programs, and the rehab industry—and how a failed addiction treatment model came to dominate America. “A humane, science-based, global view of addiction . . . an essential, bracing critique of the rehab industry and its ideological foundations that we have much to learn from.” —Gabor Maté M.D., author of In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts Alcoholics Anonymous has become so infused in our society that it is practically synonymous with addiction recovery. Yet the evidence shows that AA has only a 5–10 percent success rate—hardly better than no treatment at all. Despite this, doctors, employers, and judges regularly refer addicted people to treatment programs and rehab facilities based on the 12-step model. In The Sober Truth, acclaimed addiction specialist Dr. Lance Dodes exposes the deeply flawed science that the 12-step industry has used to support its programs. Dr. Dodes analyzes dozens of studies to reveal a startling pattern of errors, misjudgments, and biases. He also pores over the research to highlight the best peer-reviewed studies available and discovers that they reach a grim consensus on the program’s overall success. But The Sober Truth is more than a book about addiction. It is also a book about science and how and why AA and rehab became so popular, despite the discouraging data. Drawing from thirty-five years of clinical practice and firsthand accounts submitted by addicts, Dr. Dodes explores the entire story of AA’s rise—from its origins in early fundamentalist religious and mystical beliefs to its present-day place of privilege in politics and media. A powerful response to the monopoly of the 12-step program and the myth that they are a universal solution to addiction, The Sober Truth offers new and actionable information for addicts, their families, and medical providers, and lays out better ways to understand addiction for those seeking a more effective and compassionate approach to this treatable problem.