When AA Doesn't Work For You: Rational Steps to Quitting Alcohol [Paperback]

 

 

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Everywhere we are bombarded with false statistics that are invented and propogated by the AA followers.The fact remains that the MOST sucessful people to quit their addictions do it on their own-please see the Harvard News Letter.
Dr. Ellis' book can and does augment peoples ability to quit,for good,their self destuctive tendancies including substance abuse.
Factual analysis of the why we become addicted are presented here in an easy to understand format.It is our irrational beliefs about ourselves and the world that lead to frustration,depression and addiction.
I practise this philosophy daily in dealing with my husbands' cancer and my own patients illnesses.It calms me and helps me to deal with life on lifes terms and not the way it should be.
If you rely on your ability to think to lead you through life then this book is a great way to help structure your thoughts into a benefical program not only for substance abuse but for accepting whatever life may throw at you at any moment.

You've read the reviews. And if you're interested in this book all you really want to know is "does this book contain something that will help me stop drinking?"
The short answer, like everything else you might try, is "Possibly". It's a good start for some of us. Here's why:
If you've tried A.A. and found it didn't work, then you're looking for something more logical and rational than a spiritual change or complete overhaul in your thinking. This is what A.A. offers. The fact is that this change is absolutely needed if you're going to remain sober. What this book focuses on is the rational approach as opposed to A.A.'s often spiritual approach. Where you might have difficulties is that there is nothing logical or rational about addiction; however, the book is straight forward and easy to read. There are no hidden phrases to be interpreted by a scientist.
A.A. doesn't have a monopoly on sobriety. It does have the highest success rate of any therapy, but the former reviewer (obviously a member of A.A. like I am) is incorrect in stating that A.A. has a 100% success rate. That's not accurate, whatever the reasons we can give. But don't despair - all is not lost.
If you are one of the few people that can't click in A.A. or simply won't adjust, the chances are that this or any other book won't be much help to you because you may not be completely willing to start the process, even if you feel you are. This is where a support group and like minded people to talk to and work with, be it A.A., family, friends, etc. is -extremely- important.
Barring that, this is one of the few books outside of A.A. literature that I would recommend to someone interested in beating the alcoholic problem. Pick up a copy and see if it has what you need. The other reviews are well written and tell more about the book. I would like to encourage you to do whatever you can, whatever you are willing to try, to live happy. Sobriety is the key to happiness if you're an alcoholic.
I tried A.A. - it didn't work. I read this book - it didn't work. I went back to A.A. and now I'm am doing great and I'm as happy as I've ever been.
Give this book a chance if you're at this point. Reaching out and trying something - anything - is a good first step to get comfortable with the idea that you can do this. You can.
If it doesn't work, A.A. will still be there with open arms and understanding people. Here's hoping this book is all it takes for you. Best of luck.
-We're not bad people trying to get good. We are sick people trying to get well.

While applying REBT to addiction and recovery may seem cumbersome at first, it DOES work and there are many many people that have recovered by applying the ideas and techniques presented in this book.

Ellis's REBT is a basis for SMART Recovery, and this book basically shows the REBT aspects of SMART.

Another reviewer has pointed to the Small Book of Rational Recovery as an alternative to this book, however, the primary author of that book no longer agrees with it's contents. The Small Book IS however, still on the recommended reading list at SMART.

Overall, this book provides excellent examples of applying REBT to alcohol and addiction issues.

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1.0 out of 5 stars Total Misinformation
Alcoholics Anonymous has a 100% success rate for those that work the program AS IT IS OUTLINED in the book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Read more

Published on Dec 21 2003

1.0 out of 5 stars Go elsewhere!
Dr. Ellis has done it again! (I must not be spiteful or digress from the contents of this book or I will be breaking the guidelines of Amazon.com). Read more

Published on Mar 28 2000 by Bill Butler

1.0 out of 5 stars Go elsewhere!
Dr. Ellis has done it again! (I must not be spiteful or digressfrom the contents of this book or I will be breaking the guidelines ofAmazon.com). Read more

Published on Mar 28 2000 by Bill Butler

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book for thinkers. Indisputable approach for me
As someone who feels that the only self-help book that anyone ever needs is David Burns' "Feeling Good," I was charmed to learn that Albert Ellis was the vanguard... Read more

Published on Jan 1 2000

1.0 out of 5 stars My brother quit AA and started this book then killed himself
My brother quit AA when someone convinced him online through a website aadeprograming.com and committed suicide. THIS BOOK IS A FARCE!

Published on Nov 6 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile even when AA does work!
Those looking for something easier than AA may be disappointed, because the program outlined in this book requires a lot of work, but that's just what makes it effective. Read more

Published on April 8 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars The 12-Steps Don't Always Work
If the 12-steps aren't working for you, this book might. You don't have to have a disease, you don't have to be powerless, you don't need a higher power, you don't need to... Read more

Published on Dec 13 1997 by dave@snakebite.com

5.0 out of 5 stars The best alternative to the Big Book around! Read it!
This is easily one of the best books on addictions around. Ellis and his co-author lucidly describe the dynamics of abusive and self-destructive drinking in such a way that the... Read more

Published on Aug 4 1997

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