Recovery Literature

Recovery Literature

There is nothing here that is available from any of the 12 Step Fellowships

Many of the Founding Members of their respective Fellowships encouraged the reading of literature of a recovery nature, other than that they published themselves.
From experience & by request we have added a selection, but if there is a particular title we don’t have, please call & we will try to get it for you

The Steps We Took

BTSWT

The Steps We Took - A Teacher of AA's 12 Steps shares his experience, strength and hope - Joe McQ

Joe McQ's book has helped many to understand and practice the 12 Step Programme of Alcoholics Anonymous. His understanding of the spiritual principles of the Steps is profound and he writes with gentleness and humour.

The words of this book's title are said aloud every day by thousands of people meeting together to help each other recover from addictions. The addictions may be to alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, violence or sex and love, but the path to recovery is the same

The Little Red Book

BTLRB

The Little Red Book. A study guide to the "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous

For over 50 years, The Little Red Book has been a primer for members of Alcoholics Anonymous. Each page acts as a study guide to the Big Book and its teachings.

Literally thousands of recovering alcoholics have benefited from using this invaluable aid to enhance the way the recovery method as described in the Big Book is applied in life.

The Little Red Book For Women

BLRBW

The Little Red Book. A study guide to the "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous

For over 50 years, The Little Red Book has been a primer for members of Alcoholics Anonymous. Each page acts as a study guide to the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. This edition is particularly referenced to Women in recovery for better identification.

Big Book Dictionary

BBBD

Made expressly for use with "The Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous

The Little Big Book Dictionary includes over 2,200 of the most difficult words, terms, and phrases found in The 'Big Book' of Alcoholics Anonymous. Providing text referenced definitions, simple phonic pronunciation guides, and page numbers for the included words.
It is sized to fit in the back of your Big Book and it includes many program 'topical' words.

The Little 12 n 12 Dictionary

BTNTD

Made specifically for use with the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous

The Little 12 n 12 Dictionary includes over 2,200 of the most difficult words, terms, and phrases found in the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Providing text referenced definitions, simple phonic pronunciation guides, and page numbers for the included words.
It is sized to fit in the back of your 12 & 12 book and it includes many program 'typical' words

Out of The Shadows

BOTS

Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction: Patrick Carnes

With detailed descriptions of the four stages of sexual addiction, the author outlines the dynamics of dependency and offers evaluation methods and solutions. The text addresses issues relating to behaviour, cultural standards, legal consequences, the victim and public opinion.

Awakening Your Sexuality

BAYS

Awakening Your Sexuality: A Guide for Recovering Women - Stephanie Covington

This text guides women on an inner journey of exploration, growth and sexual awakening, aiming to transform lives and relationships.
Vitally for recovering women, the author gives women the tools to process their sexual histories, understand their sexual selves and create the sexual lives they want. The book provides personalized exercises and the positive step by step guidance recovering women will find helpful in confronting guilt, shame and addiction. It also is of immense value in assisting with an awareness of body image and behavior patterns allowing the past to be honoured and accepted and a beginning of the liberating journey of sexual recovery and growth.

Stools & Bottles

BSB

Stools and Bottles: A Study of Character Defects - 31 Daily Meditations by Gayle Rosellini

To meet our need for quiet periods of thought and prayer, the book provides thirty-one daily reminders. They deal with A.A. problems commonly encountered by alcoholics who try to make A.A. their way of life.

The book goes through the first 4 steps of the programme and then offers food for thought.

A brilliant book for all members, newcomers and old-timers alike!

Food Addiction: The Body Knows

FATBK

Food Addiction: The Body Knows - Kay Sheppard

This powerful book argues that food addiction is similar to alcoholism and suggests individuals must abstain from addictive foods and provides a lifetime eating plan.
As a 63-year old woman who has lost and gained hundreds of pounds over the past 40 years, this book has shown me where the ultimate problem lies. This is the first time I have ever been on a diet where I felt so good and had no more cravings or even the desire to binge eat. I am slowly losing the 154 lbs that I need to lose - which I have never been able to do before without feeling deprived. This book is a miracle for me and I only wish more people would realize the help that is in there for those who have lots to lose. I cannot praise this book enough. Thank you for writing it - it has become my food bible and I will never again let food ruin my life as it has done in the past.

Courage to be Yourself

BCY

The Courage to Be Yourself: A Woman's Guide to Emotional Strength and Self-Esteem - Sue Patton Theole

Women recovering from the awful effects of alcoholism, addiction and codependent behavior problems face daily challenges to lift their spirits and raise their self esteem.

This work aims to provide tools for growth beyond emotional dependence. These include: increasing awareness and the eventual overcoming of fears; setting boundaries; changing self-defeating patterns of behaviour; communicating effectively; and becoming a friend to oneself.

The Road Less Travelled

BRLT

The Road Less Travelled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth - M. Scott Peck

Confronting and solving problems is a painful process which most of us attempt to avoid. Avoiding resolution results in greater pain and an inability to grow both mentally and spiritually. Drawing heavily on his own professional experience, Dr M. Scott Peck, a psychiatrist, suggests ways in which facing our difficulties - and suffering through the changes - can enable us to reach a higher level of self-understanding. He discusses the nature of loving relationships: how to distinguish dependency from love; how to become one's own person and how to be a more sensitive parent. This is a book that can show you how to embrace reality and yet achieve serenity and a richer existence. Hugely influential, it has now sold over ten million copies - and has changed many people's lives round the globe. It may change yours.

Codependent No More

BCNM

Codependent No More - How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring For Yourself. - Melody Beattie

Relationships feature massively in the lives of both active and recovering alcoholics, addicts and codependents and rarely in a healthy way. This wonderful book contains real-life examples, personal reflections; exercises and self-tests to assist in improving this area of life.
The book recalls the history of, "Codependent No More", and points the way for how to take care of yourself and what to do to start feeling better.
A review by someone who used the book to great effect is below:
“This book saved my sanity, my relationship, maybe even my life. I was going through major upsets in my relationship due to a partner's addiction. I was trying to "fix the world" one painful day at a time. When nothing happened except for me to lose hope, trust, faith and love, I turned to a friend for advice. She recommended this book to me. Whenever I need to take a reality check and think of ME instead of that other person, I open the pages and let it heal me.”

Beyond Codependency

BBC

Beyond Codependency - Melodie Beattie

Beyond Codependency is dedicated to those struggling to master the art of self-care. It is a book about what to do once the physical pain of withdrawal has stopped and you’ve begun to suspect that you have a life to live. It’s about what happens next.
Beyond Codependency teaches the lessons of dealing with shame, growing in self-esteem, overcoming deprivation and getting past fatal attractions long enough to find relationships that work, all problems that recovering alcoholics, addicts and codependents are intimately familiar with.

Codependents Guide to the Twelve Steps

BCGS

Codependent's Guide to the Twelve Steps: How to Find the Right Programme for You by Melody Beattie

In this book, Melody Beattie provides a detailed explanation of the Twelve-Step program designed by Alcoholics Anonymous, accompanied by advice on how to apply the program to codependent issues and cross-addiction.
The way these issues are dealt with in this book is incredibly helpful in allowing recovering people to realize how deep codependency can run. It offers education on how to lead an independent life and a balanced view of one’s part in any relationship. Seeing that no control actually exists over anyone but themselves so powerfully changes attitudes it very often leads to a fuller and more rewarding life.