Best Substance Abuse Recovery Books of 2025

Alcoholics Anonymous (also known as the Big Book in recovery circles) sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease.. The fourth edition includes twenty-four new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism in A.A. during the early years of the 21st century. Sixteen stories are retained from the third edition, including the "Pioneers of A.A." section, which helps the reader remain linked to A.A.'s historic roots, and shows how early members applied this simple but profound program that helps alcoholics get sober today. Approximately 21 million copies of the first three editions of "Alcoholics Anonymous" have been distributed. It is expected that the new fourth edition will play its part in passing on A.A.'s basic message of recovery. This fourth edition has been approved by the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous, in the hope that many more may be led toward recovery by reading its explanation of the A.A. program and its varied examples of personal experiences which demonstrate that the A.A. program works.

Alcoholics Anonymous (also known as the Big Book in recovery circles) sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease.. The fourth edition includes twenty-four new stories that provide contemporary sharing for newcomers seeking recovery from alcoholism in A.A. during the early years of the 21st century. Sixteen stories are retained from the third edition, including the "Pioneers of A.A." section, which helps the reader remain linked to A.A.'s historic roots, and shows how early members applied this simple but profound program that helps alcoholics get sober today. Approximately 21 million copies of the first three editions of "Alcoholics Anonymous" have been distributed. It is expected that the new fourth edition will play its part in passing on A.A.'s basic message of recovery. This fourth edition has been approved by the General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous, in the hope that many more may be led toward recovery by reading its explanation of the A.A. program and its varied examples of personal experiences which demonstrate that the A.A. program works.

This basic text for AA members and groups around the world lays out the principles by which members recover and by which the fellowship functions.. Originally published in 1952, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions is the classic book used by AA members and groups around the world. It lays out the principles by which AA members recover and by which the fellowship functions. The basic text clarifies the Steps which constitute the AA way of life and the Traditions, by which AA maintains its unity.

Allen Carr's Easy Way to Stop Smoking is a self-help classic, with over 20m copies sold worldwide. It has been a #1 bestseller in nine European countries. It outsells all other quit smoking titles combined. This edition has been developed specifically for smokers in the US. This seminal book has enabled millions of smokers to quit easily and enjoyably using Carr's simple, drug-free approach.

A practical guide to letting go of the character defects that get in the way of true and joyful recovery.. Resentment. Fear. Self-Pity. Intolerance. Anger. As Bill P. explains, these are the "rocks" that can sink recovery--or at the least, block further progress. Based on the principles behind Steps Six and Seven, Drop the Rock combines personal stories, practical advice, and powerful insights to help readers move forward in recovery. The second edition features additional stories and a reference section.

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté offers a refreshing new perspective on addiction, delving into its origins and place in society. The book avoids simplistic self-help remedies and instead promotes a holistic approach to understanding addiction. Maté combines real-life stories with cutting-edge research to present addiction as a complex interplay among personal history, emotional and neurological development, brain chemistry, and the drugs and behaviors of addiction. The author argues against contemporary health, social, and criminal justice policies toward addiction and how they perpetuate the War on Drugs. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of addiction and recovery.

Revised and Updated, with a New Chapter on Trauma and Anxiety, a List of Resources, and MoreOver 7 Million Copies SoldThe cultural phenomenon that has helped heal millions of readers, this modern classic holds the key to understanding codependency and unlocking its hold on your life.As heard on Glennon Doyle’s We Can Do Hard Things podcast.Melody Beattie’s compassionate and insightful look into codependency—the concept of losing oneself in the name of helping another—has guided millions of readers toward the understanding that they are powerless to change anyone but themselves and that caring for the self is where healing begins.Is someone else's problem your problem? If, like so many others, you've lost sight of your own life in the drama of tending to a loved one’s self-destructive behavior, you may be codependent––and you may find yourself in this book. With personal reflections, exercises, and instructive stories drawn from Beattie’s own life and the lives of those she’s counseled, Codependent No More helps you break old patterns and maintain healthy boundaries and offers a clear and achievable path to healing, hope, freedom, and happiness.This revised edition includes an all-new chapter on trauma and anxiety—subjects Beattie has long felt necessary to address within the context of codependency—making it even more relevant today than it was when it first entered the national conversation over 35 years ago.

The Tennis Partner by Abraham Verghese is a poignant memoir about the author's friendship with a medical student named David Smith. Through their shared love of tennis, the two men form a close bond that becomes increasingly complex as David's past struggles with drug addiction resurface. Verghese's writing is both lyrical and controlled, capturing the motives and allure of their friendship with precision and charm. Despite the heavy subject matter, the author avoids becoming heavy-handed, using a caring yet slightly detached bedside voice that is both frank and compassionate. Overall, The Tennis Partner is an unforgettable and illuminating story about how men live and survive, and the power of true friendship.

This book is an authoritative presentation of motivational interviewing (MI), a powerful approach to facilitating change. The book elaborates on the four processes of MI and demonstrates what they look like in action through a wealth of vignettes and interview examples. Highly accessible, the book is infused with respect and compassion for clients. The companion webpage provides additional helpful resources. The book reviews the growing evidence base and covers ways to assess MI fidelity. A superb, readable guide to theory and practice, this book has fundamentally changed the way we think about working with less motivated clients.

Women's recovery can differ from men's, and each person's recovery is in many ways unique. That's why Stephanie Covington has designed A Women's Way Through the Twelve Steps to help a woman find her own path-and find it in terms especially suited to the way women experience not just addiction and recovery but also relationships, self, sexuality, and everyday life. Unlike many ''rewritten'' Twelve Step interpretations for women, this guide works with the original Step language, preserving its spirit and focusing attention on its healing message. . This compilation of a diverse group of real women's voices and wisdom illuminates how women understand the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and offers inspiring stories of how they have traveled through the Steps and discovered what works for them. The book can be used alone or as a companion to The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous.. By drawing attention to how recovery raises special issues for women - from questions about sexuality and relationships to essential topics such as powerlessness, spirituality, and trauma - A Woman's Way empowers women to take ownership of their recovery and to grow and flourish in sobriety.. Also available in Spanish.