Practical tips

Some vital practical tips, from those who have been there, to getting through the first few days, weeks and months of recovery.

The book itself is very simple and to the point: the authors' experience of how, in their daily lives, they go about the business of not picking up a drink one day at time.

The steps and the AA programme are not (by and large) dealt with in this book, which is very much aimed at the newcomer to recovery. Posted by Moishe Alexander.

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Moish Alexanders Living Sober Reviews

This book helped me enormously in the first few weeks of recovery. It was written quite a long time ago and some of the advice (like eating plenty of sweets!) seems a bit off-beam now. But it's full of no-nonsense practical suggestions for dealing with cravings and avoiding risky situations. I found that most of the suggestions really work! Buy this book

Moish Alexander Reviews Living Sober

Full of practicle suggestions on ways of avoiding that alcholic drink when you feel you need one. Explains some thoughts on what alcoholism is in simple language. Avoid getting hungry angry lonely or tired. Learn to be good to yourself. Seeking professional help where needed. This book goes where ever I go. I've learned alot about the way I think and feel but the book focuses on very practicle issues. Wonderful and essential. This book talks about life without booze but is not intended to be a plan for the recovery of alcoholism. More HERE

About the Author

Posted by Moishe Alexander
American history includes many social movements that aimed to help people stop drinking. There was Prohibition, of course. But there was also the Anti-Saloon League, the American Temperance Society, the Washingtonian Temperance Society, the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and more. Only one such movement survived -- Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). AA not only survived, it spread across the world. Today, AA lists its membership at 2,160,013, with 100,766 groups in Africa, Asia, and Europe as well as North and South America. If ever there was evidence that sobriety can be mass-produced, it is in AA. AA began with the chance meeting of two people on May 12, 1935: Bill W., an alcoholic stockbroker from New York, and Bob S., an alcoholic surgeon in Akron, Ohio. Bill got sober through a set of principles that, he felt, had saved his life (ideas that later evolved into the Twelve Steps of AA). He shared those principles with Bob, who never took another drink after that day. Dr. Bob's "dry date" of June 10, 1935 is officially counted as AA's founding. Bill and Bob began working with other alcoholics, helping them achieve sobriety one at a time. And in 1939 the group published the book Alcoholics Anonymous to explain its Twelve Step program of recovery. Last year, sales of that book passed 20 million. Perhaps the best introduction to AA principles is the "preamble" traditionally read at the beginning of a group meeting: Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for AA membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. AA is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. By focusing on that purpose, AA avoids the mistakes of temperance groups that took on a variety of political causes, splintered into factions, and died. "Our focus has prevented us from straying into areas that we don't have experience in," says a member who works in AA's General Service Office. "What we are is alcoholics helping other alcoholics. This has helped us maintain our unity." Elaine McDowell, PhD, chairperson of AA's General Service Board, agrees "the Fellowship's main reservoir of strength is its singleness of purpose. For 66 years the hand of AA has been there for the alcoholic. It works!" AA members engage in a set of activities suggested by the Twelve Steps, such as: **Telling the truth -- that they are addicted and cannot stop drinking on their own. **Admitting and releasing resentments and fears. **Making amends to people they've harmed. **Engaging in prayer and meditation. **Sharing AA principles with others who want to stop drinking. AA members describe their program as spiritual not religious. No creed or ritual is required, and from the beginning AA has welcomed atheists and agnostics. At the same, members seek daily guidance from a Higher Power. That term is defined individually. For some members, it is the God of a church. Other members find their Higher Power in a friend, in nature, in the book Alcoholics Anonymous, in their AA group or any other source of outside help. Buy this book here

Moishe Alexander Review on Living Sober

Living Sober: An Alcoholic’s Perspective and Book Review by Moishe Alexander

The Living Sober book written by Alcoholic’s Anonymous World Services Inc was last printed and updated for the 36^th time in 2003. This handbook for alcoholics reviews what an alcoholic/drug addict needs to do to stay sober from Day 1 and utilizing the 12 steps of recovery throughout the journey of recovery.

The book begins with an official statement issued in July 31, 1964, “Why ‘not drinking’?

It gives a brief introduction as to how alcoholics must understand that this is a disease that needs to be treated like any other disease. It also sets out, explaining to the alcoholic that the methods that need to be used to be able to live sober without drinking.

It touches on subjects like “keep an open mind” “use your own common sense” “staying away from that first drink” and “using the 24-hour plan.” The Alcoholics Anonymous start with these topics in order to help the alcoholic to begin the transition to living sober.

This living sober book also tells the addict in no uncertain times that it is a lifelong, progressive, fatal disease if not treated with the 12 steps.

Alcoholics Anonymous continues by providing easy slogans for the addict to remember. For example “live and let live” is suggested in order to assist the alcoholic recognize how they cannot control other people and that they need to hear what their past drinking caused to relatives and friends.

The book sets out how the initial important things are getting active, especially in and around A.A. But even activity not related to A.A. is helpful.

These subjects that are covered in brief explain how AA works and how important it is to get a sponsor, attend meetings and continually recite and rely on the Serenity prayer.

The book also gives advice and hints that have been used by other alcoholics/addicts to assist recovery by changing old routines, eating/drinking something sweet, and making use of telephone therapy and unconditionally surrendering the alcoholic’s will with the guidance of a sponsor.

This book also provides insights into what situations to look out for by an alcoholic to avoid a relapse. It details how staying away from people places and things that the addict frequented during usage and to avoid anger and resentment and to fend off loneliness can aid the recovery process.

The book also advises the alcoholic to be good to oneself, to get plenty of rest, not to reach a level too quickly in the program but to “easy does it” in terms of understanding the 12 steps of recovery. Also to be grateful that the alcoholic can have sobriety and to be humble.

In addition to the standard alcoholic’s perception, the 12-step program is also applied to gambling, sex and other addictive behaviour. This book also recommends that the addict read Alcoholics Anonymous, Twelve Steps and the Twelve Traditions, Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, As Bill Sees It, Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers, Pass It On, Come to Believe…, Daily Reflections: A Book of Reflections by A.A. Members for A.A. Members, A.A. in Prison: Inmate to Inmate.

Therefore, this book, from an alcoholic’s perspective, is a must read and is the beginning of recovery for the addictive personality/disease for the alcoholic/addict.

Moishe Alexander

Thank you for reading another review by Moishe Alexander.