Successful Recovery and Relapse Prevention by Bill McCausland

In the year 2000, 12.4% of the deaths worldwide stemmed from drug and alcohol abuse. This problem is a global pandemic with prevalence higher than diabetes. It is estimated that about 5% of the global population suffers from this problem. In the 1700s, addiction was declared a disease. 

Bill McCausland has outlined every step in the recovery process. He has done a good job of explaining every step right from acceptance to understanding of the principles and living by them. He talks about the three types of recovery. Physical, thinking and feeling recovery are all instrumental in ensuring you stay on the wagon of sobriety. 

The book gives an important tip on the use of denial. It is never intentional. An addict rarely knows they are using denial as a tool for maintaining the relapse. The author talks about the difference between a slip and a relapse. He assures you that the key is recognizing each for exactly what it is and taking the necessary steps to getting back on track. 

The comforting part is that neither a slip nor a relapse should exclude you from trying to get and stay clean. These could act as motivators to work harder and more consistently. He reiterates that recovery is not recovery. It does not get better. It is progressive. You have to work at it every day of their life. This book will dispel all those myths that could easily discourage you from trying.

A part for family and friends is especially important for both the recovering addict and support system to understand. Motivation from the system is great but essentially, the decision to clean up lies with you. This is only of the many gems in this book. 

This book is engaging. It gives the reader questionnaires and real world examples so they are able to fit the lessons therein into their recovery journey. These enhance understanding of this book and the principles therein. There is frequent use of familiar AA sayings and quotes. It is endearing. It will feel like constantly having an AA gathering all ready for you on the bookshelf.

Successful Recovery and Relapse Prevention is not an instructional booklet but a guide. It helps you understand their recovery journey better. The author is not condescending or judgmental. He does not discourage or admonish. The tone is very friendly. Every word sounds like it comes from a place of concern for the recovering addict.

The book is properly formatted to allow for maximum consumption. The language is simple and effective. Message is clear and right to the point. Material is not guess work or theoretical. The concepts of the recovery process though difficult, are made much easier and actionable by Bill McCausland. 

This book is useful to all stakeholders in the journey of recovery. Be it members of the support system, counselors, sponsors and even the recovering addicts themselves. There is a useful tidbit for everyone. The journey is hard. This book surely increases the chances of winning at staying clean every day