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An invaluable model for making informed treatment decisions

A Volume in the Jossey-Bass Library of Current Clinical Technique

Highly recommAnded. . .for clinicians who want to understand and treat the alcoholic in a pragmatic and step-wise fashion.
--NARPPS Journal

In this comprehensive book, editor Stephanie Brown presents a model of alcoholism treatment to help you guide alcoholics and their families on the path to long-term recovery. Experts in the field give you the skills to address the myriad problems associated with alcoholism by providing up-to-date information and illustrative case examples. This book, filled with a wealth of information, will help you set specific therapeutic techniques for working with alcoholics and the families of alcoholics in a clinical setting.

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Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Concepts for Alcoholism treatment, but dry reading!
Stephanie Brown has excellent theraputic techniques/concepts on how to deal and treat folks suffering from Alcoholism during counselling sessions, and I learned a lot! Ms. Brown's many years of experiences/knowledge are evident on how she statigically deals with denial/relapse within Psychotherapy.
This book deals with an fascinating subject, however, Ms. Brown's writing style is very scientific/academic and dry, and is not for anyone who wants an easy read.
I recommend this book for students studying Psychology or for counselor's who work with clients that have addictions. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is an innovative analysis of the interrelationship between the alcoholic's behavioral disorders and his or her intrapsychic processes. It is a systematic, comprehensive, profound exploration of the psychopathology and treatment of alcoholism. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A New Level of Freedom
I am not a mental health professional but a recovering alcoholic, and have been searching for some understanding into who I am for a long time now.This text describes me almost too accurately.It opened my eyes up to some of the deeper emotional and psychological problems that I have suffered with for my entire life.The things I gleaned here are painful revelations, but nevertheless necessary disclosures for my mental stability. Essentially this book gave me the language to articulate and understand my existence, and by doing this it has given me a sense of freedom and relief.

The Addicted Narcissist
To attribute alcoholism to narcissistic regression is both commonplace and controversial. But there a less convoluted clinical "handle": Pathological narcissism is an addiction to narcissistic supply, the narcissist's drug of choice. It is, therefore, not surprising that other addictive and reckless behaviors - workaholism, alcoholism, drug abuse, pathological gambling, compulsory shopping, or reckless driving - piggyback on this primary dependence.

The narcissist - like other types of addicts - derives pleasure from these exploits. But they also sustain and enhance his grandiose fantasies as "unique", "superior", "entitled", and "chosen". They place him above the laws and pressures of the mundane and away from the humiliating and sobering demands of reality. They render him the center of attention - but also place him in "splendid isolation" from the madding and inferior crowd.

Such compulsory and wild pursuits provide a psychological exoskeleton. They are a substitute to quotidian existence. They afford the narcissist with an agenda, with timetables, goals, and faux achievements. The narcissist's addictive behaviors take his mind off his inherent limitations, inevitable failures, painful and much-feared rejections, and the grandiosity gap - the abyss between the image he projects (the False Self) and the injurious truth. They relieve his anxiety and resolve the tension between his unrealistic expectations and inflated self-image - and his incommensurate achievements, position, status, recognition, intelligence, wealth, and physique.

Thus, there is no point in treating the dependence and recklessness of the narcissist without first treating the underlying personality disorder. The narcissist's addictions serve deeply ingrained emotional needs. They intermesh seamlessly with the pathological structure of his disorganized personality, with his character faults, and primitive defense mechanisms.

Hence the importance of this book: it unflinchingly exposes the roots of alcoholism and attributes it to an identity disturbance, paranoia, sadomasochism and obsessive- compulsive disorders. The author's rich experience is evident in each and every page. A documentary treasure trove - if not a theoretical masterpiece. Sam Vaknin, author of "Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited".

Narcissistic Need and Entitlement Deprivation
At age fifty-two, I am absolutely in awe of this book which hit me like a sledge hammer; it is holographic in its presentation, and speaks to me very deeply, personally, and professionally.

Each chapter is a multi-faceted reflection of the whole, and it pretty much sums up my personal experiences in growing up in a constantly relocating military family within a global environment during the post-World War II and Cold War period.If I had to write a personal byline on this text I would catagorize it in this generational fashion:Paint Your Wagon; The Unforgiven; and, Apocalypse Now; i.e., The American Experience of Conquest!

This text made me realize that my own life-long personal quest as the young captain, the trained assassin sent upriver on a covert mission to terminate the colonel, was really a personal paradox to be reconsidered: the young questing captain, in my personal interpretation of a time paradox, was realistically and symbolically the son of the colonel he was seaching out to terminate. The captain was the son that the remote, alienated, and estranged colonel-father, who had become distraught by the deeper woundings of a continuing warfare and conquest, wanted his son to know and understand him personally at the rivers end!This text allowed me to do this personally.

In conclusion, it is necessary for one to understand that "The Destructive Narcissitic Pattern" (described by Nina W. Brown) of the generational circumstance, the handing down, does not reguire drinking at this level.One can be quite numbed by The Great Depression, World War II, and Vietnam and, by one's sense and mission of self-importance through...Narcissitic Need and Entitlement Deprivation.

A somewhat dogmatic Freudian approach with lots of insight
Good news, bad news, first the bad news. Forrest: 1) subscribes to a now questioned if not discredited Freudian theory of infantile narcissim; 2) has very low standards of proof; apparently supposing that repeated repetition amounts to proof, when sometimes it isn't even adequate description; 3) has an editor who is asleep at the switch when it comes to reducing florid redundancy; and 4) still has an essentially pathological view of homosexuality and bisexuality, preventing him from discerning homophobia as a form of paranoia (the term 'homophobia' doesn't occur in discussions of 'deviant' sexuality). The good news is that he has a substantial wealth of experience, including quite a lot of military experience at which he obviously worked hard and for which he presumably wasn't paid much. He gives a convincing account of a combination of orality, narcissism, and anger/rage that lying at the foundation of alcoholism, and issues of identity, paranoia, sadomasochism and obsessive- compulsiveness as common superstructures.(I would have put the obsessive-compulsive issue closer to the foundation; but I don't have his experience.) It would be a mistake to discount Forrest's wealth of experience simply on the basis of his dogmatically Freudian outlook.Much of the substance of the work will survive translation into other frames of reference--as is the case with most good Freudian writing.I learned a lot from it and found it fascinating reading.-- Jonathan Ketchum, PhD (Philosophy) ... Read more

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This compelling new autobiography, 180 Degrees, demonstrates just how sincere these words can be. An inspiring true-story of a once homeless, teenage drug addict who was able to achieve sobriety and ultimately become a self-made millionaire by the age of 30.

This book is an invaluable resource for anyone who has given up hope for themselves, or for a loved one who is self-destructing through substance abuse.

TESTIMONIALS:

Téa Leoni, Actress: "The story you share of struggling with drug addiction is captivating and disturbing, but most importantly, the success you have found after achieving sobriety is awesome and inspiring for anyone wishing the same."

Sugar Ray Leonard: 6 Time World Boxing Champion & 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist. "Rob is truly a fighter! One of the toughest opponents you could ever face is drugs and alcohol! We have all been knocked down in life and if you are looking for a way to get back up, "180 degrees" is the perfect trainer!"

Anita, Homemaker / Teacher: "Rob is an inspiration for those who believe that life without drugs is not possible. For those who have not experienced the devil of addiction, you will be amazed to hear the story of how he grew up and survived. Page to page, this true story will have you wondering, What could possibly happen next? Robs story reminds us that no matter how bad a past you may have had, that there is always hope for the future."

Chris Hershey-Van Horn: "You don't have to be an addict to appreciate Robert's moving and sometimes shocking autobiography, 180 Degrees. Though I am not an addict (and plan on never becoming one, especially after reading this book), Robert's 180 Degrees touched me with the sheer raw power of its misadventures, and the subtle, yet encouraging optimism for those battling any kind addiction."

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Customer Reviews (12)

Has to be suspect ...
... can't even get title right.

Not possible to go any lower than 90 degrees.

Awesome Story.
There are two types of books the ones you read casually and the ones that totally engulf you as you read.This book falls into that second category.I usually take about a month to finish a book, I finished this in 1.5 days.It is one of the best books I've ever read next to the Bible and "The Dirt" from Motley Crue.This book was motivational, inspirational and flat out an awesome read.It really shows how God is always there behind the scenes working in our lives.Read this book, I promise you will NOT be disappointed.

Robert, Thanks for sharing Your Story with the World.

An extraordinary story of perserverance and triumph!
180 Degrees is a treasure.It's one of those books that leave an impression - forever.Reading this book is time well spent, I'm so grateful I stumbled upon it.I consider Robert a close friend of mine now; anyone who reads his story will feel that way.I know him better than I know most people in my life just from reading his book.His honest portrayal of the tribulations he endured as a teenage drug addict are terrifying, especially for a mother.His story is so real and so intense that it was like being there as well.I found myself really caring for Robert and wanting so badly for him to be OK.I actually cried when he walked into the rooms of AA and knew he was home.It was so moving.

The fact that today he's successful in every respect brings me so much joy and hope.I love it that he is unselfishly sharing his recipe for success with the rest of us by revealing his Eight Equities.Robert is obviously a very wise and genuinely caring man.He's got the kind of insight that only comes from having lived two distinctively different lives. I think it's fantastic that he's opened himself up like he has with the intent of helping others - not just those suffering from the disease of addiction, but everyone who's seeking to have it all.Thanks for letting us know you, Robert, and thanks for the inspiration!This is a great read!

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE EVER READ
This is one of the most awe inspiring books I have ever read. Thank you Robert for sharing.

Exellent story of recovery.
This book is fantastically written for anyone going through recovery.It is an easy read filled with juicy details of what it was like, what happened, and what it is like now for Robert.It's a truly entertaining story and an inspiration for anyone. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Thanks Mike D.
I've used Fr. Peyton's rosary book for years and highly recommend that, (esp since his cause for sainthood has just been opened). However, Mike D.'s meditation definitely gave me a new perspective on the rosary. It's such a powerful tool and if you see any sin as an addiction, you can customize his meditations into something relevant to your situation. Also his conversion story was quite touching as well.

Mike D. brings his healing prayer seminar to print.
This is a wonderful book for all people in recovery. You'll learn a proven method of prayer and meditation that you will return to again and again. I always faltered when trying to meditate-but this program helps me stay inthe process and the benefits include an improved conscious contact with myhigher power. Thanks Mike D. for this wonderful book. ... Read more

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A handbook for all clinicians who need to tap into the power of twelve-step programs. ... Read more

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You inherited your mother's eyes...Your father's smile...And your grandfather's drinking problem.

"For over thirty years," writes author and recovering alcoholic Kathleen FitzGerald, "the American Medical Association has recognized alcoholism as a disease with identifiable and progressive symptoms that, if untreated, lead to mental damage, physical incapacity and early death. Yet still do not treat alcoholism as a disease, but as a sin, a social stigma, a moral aberration.

This book takes you on a journey through not only understanding alcoholism and drug addiction, but also addresses the emotional, physical and biological effects of this disease. If you are looking for a way to understand, overcome and recover alcoholism, you must read this book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
I can't even tell you how much this has helped my life.I now have the tools to understand alcoholism.It is a disease that has destroyed so many families and ruined so many lives.It is important for us to understand the disease in order to try and help those who suffer.We need awareness and this book indeed opens our eyes.If you or someone in your family deals with addiction, you MUST read this book.It is the only book that deals with everthing from family issues, intervention to recovery.A MUST GET!

Now I Get It!!!
This book was very helpful for me to understand alcoholism as a family disease. I finally found a book that spoke to me in my own language. It seemed to know my life. I now know that this is a disease and not something I could control on my own. This wonderful book saved my family.Everyone in the world should read this. It relates to everyone!!!

An excellent and understandable explanation of alcoholism.
This is an inspiring book for anyone who is or knows an alcoholic. Mymother-in-law is in the final stages of alcoholism. I felt like crying whenI read this book because I felt like the author had met her or seen her.Just when we think there is no hope and that we are alone with thisdisease, we realize that others are out there, and that we can learn fromtheir experiences.The descriptions are detailed and the personal accountsare vivid. Anyone who is an alcoholic or who knows an alcoholic should readthis book. ... Read more

Product Description
Although per capita alcohol consumption has declined overthe past decade, alcohol-related illnesses and deaths remainsignificant problems. As many as 44 percent of the more than 40,000traffic crash fatalities each year involve alcohol. Heavy drinkingalso contributes to other killers: liver cirrhosis, heart disease,stroke, and some cancers. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse andAlcoholism estimates that the economic cost of alcohol abuse in 1992,the most recent year for which sufficient data are available, was $148billion.

Alcoholism Sourcebook presents information about alcohol use and abuseand its relation to a variety of social, psychological, and behavioralproblems. It describes alcohol's effects on the brain and other organsof the body, anda specialsection offersfacts about alcohol andpregnancy. Other chapterscovertreatment and recoveryoptionsandprovide informationaboutpreventing alcoholabuseand maintainingsobriety. ... Read more

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This is the definitive work on the Reverend Canon Samuel Moor Shoemaker, Jr., and his relationship with and contributions to Alcoholics Anonymous and its founder William Griffith Wilson. Prior to the writing of the first edition of this book, few in or out of A.A. had any idea what Bill Wilson really meant when a called Sam Shoemaker a "cofounder" of Alcoholics Anonymous. In this book, however, you will learn the details about Sam Shoemaker, about his participation in and leadership of the American activities of the Oxford Group, his activities in both Calvary Episcopal Church in New York and Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh. The book reviews almost every one of Sam's more than 30 published titles as well as many of his articles and sermons. It shows his towering stature as a life-changer, both in early A.A. and later in the Pittsburgh businessmen's scene. Bill Wilson said that Shoemaker had taught Bill and Bob almost all the subjects encompassed in A.A.'s last of the ten Twelve Steps. This book reveals that Bill actually asked Shoemaker to write those steps, but that Shoemaker declined. The reader will see the great resemblance between A.A. Big Book language and the language which Shoemaker used so often in his writings. The personal friendship between Bill and Sam is covered at length. And, in connection with the Second Edition, author Dick B. and his son traveled to the home of one of Shoemaker's daughters to view Sam's personal journal entries about Bill and other early A.A. figures. They then traveled to the Episcopal Church Archives in Austin, Texas, and there searched through 58 boxes of papers that disclosed Shoemaker's correspondence with Wilson, with Roman Catholic priests, with Oxford Group members, and with many others. The appendices in the book are wide-spread in detail and coverage. They include observations by Oxford Group people, by Lois Wilson, by Wilson, and others. And, in all, they enable the reader to see this clergyman who was named as one of the leading American preachers just as Bill Wilson and the many Shoemaker admirers saw the man. There are also the articles by Shoemaker about A.A. and the contents of his talks to AAs at their international conventions in St. Louis and Long Beach. Three notable people contributed Forewords to this book--Mrs. W. Irving Harris, wife of Shoemaker's assistant minister, who was a resident of Calvary House where Shoemaker lived and was the steward of the Oxford Group and Shoemaker books sold there; Mrs. Nickie Shoemaker Haggart, Shoemaker's younger daughter, who told of her father's affection for AAs and for Bill; and the distinguished former professor of chemical dependency and counseling at Penn State University, Dr. Karen Plavan. There is simply nothing as important, as comprehensive, or as useful for the study of Bill Wilson's formulation of the Big Book as this study of Wilson and Shoemaker. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The Samuel M. Shoemaker Role in Alcoholics Anonymous
This book is so large, so comprehensive in the details it relates, and so thorough in its discussion of the relationship between Bill Wilson and his real spiritual teacher that many of its comments still seem to remain unnoticed. But the book, revised in the second edition, gives you some extremely useful spiritual history and tools. It reviews almost every book that Sam Shoemaker wrote. It covers the relationship between A.A. Cofounder Bill Wilson and the clergyman who taught him most of the Step material. It shows precisely the Shoemaker ideas and language that can be found in the Twelve Steps and the Big Book. It reports Shoemaker's talks to AAs at two of their International Conventions--St. Louis and Long Beach. It reveals the extensive findings of the author and his son at the Episcopal Church Archives in Austin, Texas where the vast number of Shoemaker papers are lodged. In the second edition, it gives a great picture of Sam Shoemaker in action after he took his second major church rectorship--in Pittsburgh. Wade through it. Get informed. And see how much about A.A., Bill Wilson, and Sam Shoemaker you never knew. I recommend it highly.

New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A.
During my high school and early college years, I was a member of The Rev. Sam Shoemaker's congregation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.I got to know him and his family quite well.He was, without doubt, the most dynamic and holy man I have ever had the privilege of knowing.Since that time, I have spoken with many alcoholism counselors as well as A.A. members -- all (who knew anything about the history of A.A.) had only positive things to say about the role "Sam" played in helping to develop the "12 step" program.Now, having said that, let's get to the book itself.

I found this book to be a very extensive and, I believe, thorough account of the influence of this one Episcopal clergyman (and the God who obviously directed him) on the wording of the twelve steps.I would highly recommend the book to anyone who would like to know more about the early development of A.A. and the clergyman working behind the scenes during that development.

The Shoemaker/AA biography and history revisited
This book is a tough chew because it covers so many items in such great depth. It details some of Rev.Sam Shoemaker's life. It covers his personal relationship with A.A. and Bill Wilson. To make a knowledge of Shoemaker writings much easier, it specifically reviews almost every Shoemaker book written from 1921 through the year A.A.'s Big Book was published. And it touches on those published thereafter which commented on A.A. or contained repeat and relevant materials. It lists the dozens of words and phrases from Shoemaker writings that can be found in the Big Book, Twelve Steps, and A.A. materials. And, in its body and appendices, it covers the astonishing body of Shoemaker treasures Dick unearthed at the Episcopal Church Archives in Austin, Texas; at Shoemaker's two Calvary churches in Pittsburgh and New York; in Shoemaker's books and articles and sermons; in Sam's personal journals--never before seen or reported; and in the minds and memories of those friends who knew and worked with Sam. The particular treasure was the Pittsburgh section. Dick went back to Pittsburgh and interviewed the "golf club crowd" which Sam had rounded up and put to work in the Pittsburgh Experiment, businessmen's prayer meetings, and other unique outreach. These old-timers were alive and kicking and gave their reports on Sam and his methods with lots of enthusiams. There's plenty more. But I wanted to report that I've learned much much more in the last few years about the Rev. Sam Shoemaker that every A.A. ought to know. For it was to Sam that Bill turned and asked if Sam would actually write the Twelve Steps--Sam humbly declining.

A teacher of the 12 Steps and the Word of God
Bill W. called Rev. Shoemaker a co-founder of A.A. He said most of the ideas in the 12 Steps came from Rev. Shoemaker, and he actually asked Shoemaker to write the 12 Steps, but Shoemaker declined, saying they should come from an alcoholic. Shoemaker's books, articles, and talks from beginning to end were about faith, prayer, and the Bible. This book helps to bring the A.A. roots and the Bible into focus ... Read more

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A straightforward, simple and practical resource written specifically for families seeking to help a loved one struggling with substance addiction. Jeff and Debra Jay dispel two all-to-common and damaging beliefs: Addicts, they say, don't have to hit bottom before they can get help and get sober, and second, interventions don't have to be confrontational-hence their emphasis on a love first approach. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (33)

Hurray I am not crazy....this is real....
After years of knowing in my spirit that my loved ones' personality and and their justifications for poor choices were not my failure in doing the right things, this book has given me sound doctrine. The book gives concise examples of enabling which all of us have done from time to time. After reading, I know what cushions the addiction and what techniques to use to help the addicted person not entangle me any longer.. I have been able to use the tools in the book and not be in a constant state of anxiety and frustration knowing that I have no control over what the addict does, that I am no longer a prisoner to their actions.Believe me, the addict sees a change in how you react and they change. This is not a quick fit which we are so despair for but learning for the family a healthy model to work toward for the family to survive and enjoy their lives and relationship with the family unit.

Love First
I was interested in preparing properly for an Intervention; this book was an excellent handbook for those interested in Intenvention.Very succinct!

So far so good
Receipt of the book was very timely ~ like super fast!I am still reading it ~ as it is not a happy topic, I am struggling, so I can't say too much about the content.

Helped me write an intervention letter
This is a wonderful, simple book about how to help someone struggling with addiction. No psycho-babble, just straight-forward information on addiction, how to help and how to pick an appropriate treatment center. Highly recommended.

Perfect book that guides you through steps to help your loved one
The book, Love First, was the perfect guide for my family and me when we wanted to help our loved one, but did not know where to begin.Jeff Jay, in his book, Love FIrst, helped us to form and carry our an intervention with our loved one.His book is easy-to-read and is filled with love and lots examples of what to do and what not to do during an intervention.He is always positive and if the intervention does not work out as planned, he passes on the hope that it eventually will, as is what happened in our family.We recommend this book wholeheartedly for anyone who is looking for guidance on ways to help their loved one get help.The best part of it all is that he speaks from experience and he is determined to help others like he was once helped.This book was worth its weight in gold for my family and me and we are just so grateful that we had something to give us guidance when we set out to try and save our loved one.
A Tremendously Thankful Customer ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

Disappointed
I was looking for some encouragement from this book but did not find it very hopeful.It may have just not been what I needed but could be helpful to others.I was disappointed. ... Read more

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Whether you're a newly diagnosed patient, a friend or relative, this book offers help. The only volume available to provide both the doctor's and patient's views, 100 Questions & Answers About Alcoholism gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions about treatment options, advice on coping with the disease, sources of support, and much more. Written by a prominent psychiatrist, with actual patient commentary, this book is an invaluable resource for anyone coping with the medical, psychological, and emotional turmoil of alcoholism. ... Read more