How to Quit Drinking Without AA, Revised 2nd Edition A Complete Self-Help Guide

by DORSMAN, JERRY

• ISBN13: 9780761512905
• ISBN10: 076151290X
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1997-10-01
• Publisher: Harmony

Summary

Now You Can Take Control of Your Own Recovery ProcessAlcoholics Anonymous is not the only answer or even the best answer for many people. In fact, seven of every eight people who start AA's 12-step program abandon it within three years. Fortuanately, there are more effective ways to quit drinking--proven methods that will help you be successful on your own terms.Inside this life-affirming book is the new beginning you're looking for. Certified addictions counselor and 16-year recovering alcoholic Jerry Dorsman offers more than 100 proven techniques to gain control of your recovery. His self-help approach includes the best: -Step-by-step instructions for breaking the habit -Foods to help you beat the cravings -Methods for internal cleansing and detox -Nutrition information for rebuilding your health -And much more! "A thorough approach backed with practical guidelines and techniques."--"Addiction and Recovery Magazine "The right blend of substance and simplicity. Bubbling with resources."--"Natural Health magazine

Author Biography

<b>Jerry Dorsman</b> counsels individuals with drug and alcohol problems and is the author of numerous articles on the subject of alcoholism. He is an active member of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors.

Table of Contents

Preface	xiii
Introduction: How This Book Can Help	1	(6)
PART ONE: What Does Alcohol Mean to You?	7	(72)
A New View of Alcoholism	9	(28)
A Way of Coping	10	(2)
Something You Learned	12	(2)
Just a Part of You	14	(2)
Your Own Special Struggle	16	(2)
A Physical Addiction	18	(12)
A Disease Controlled by Diet	30	(7)
Are You an Alcoholic Drinker?	37	(14)
You're the Best Judge	38	(1)
One Question	38	(1)
Stop Hiding	39	(9)
Denials and Excuses	41	(7)
Now Take Another Look	48	(2)
The Johns Hopkins Medical Institution's Test for Alcoholism	48	(2)
What's the Verdict?	50	(1)
Are the Benefits Worth the Problems?	51	(28)
The Benefits of Drinking	52	(5)
My Reasons for Drinking	53	(4)
Problems Caused by Drinking	57	(12)
Dialogue with Body	59	(3)
Checklist of Medical Problems	62	(7)
Will You Need Inpatient Care?	69	(1)
Your Evaluation of the Problems	70	(4)
Problems You'd Like to Avoid	70	(4)
Do You Want to Quit?	74	(5)
Reasons for Quitting	75	(4)
PART TWO: Planning Your Own Personal Approach to Quitting	79	(166)
What About AA?	81	(10)
How AA Can Help	82	(2)
Try a Few Meetings	84	(1)
Drawbacks to AA	84	(5)
It's Your Choice	89	(2)
My Decision about AA	89	(2)
How to Break a Habit	91	(23)
All About Habits	92	(4)
Breaking Habits, Making Changes	96	(9)
Pick a Few Habits and Break Them	102	(3)
What Else Can You Do?	105	(7)
Alternatives to Drinking	106	(6)
Yes, You Can Change	112	(2)
Healing Throught Diet	114	(52)
The Importance of Diet	115	(1)
A Matter of Balance	116	(5)
Recommended Foods and Beverages	121	(19)
Healthful Ways of Cooking and Eating	140	(6)
To Supplement or Not to Supplement	146	(6)
How to Make the Change	152	(9)
How to Handle Cravings	161	(5)
Start Your New Diet	165	(1)
Building Inner Strength	166	(26)
Exercise	168	(7)
Plan Your Own Exercise Program	169	(6)
Begin Doing It	175	(1)
Relaxation Techniques	175	(6)
Relaxers: What Works Best for You?	181	(1)
Assertiveness Training	181	(4)
Assertive Responses: How to Remain Centered	183	(2)
Stress Management and Coping Techniques	185	(4)
Surefire Stress Reducers	185	(4)
Friendship	189	(3)
Find One Good Friend	190	(2)
Thirty Additional Ways to Renew Yourself	192	(53)
The Amazing Success of Acupuncture	193	(2)
Massage...for Health and Relaxation	195	(1)
Biofeedback	196	(1)
Bodywork/Body Movement	197	(1)
Hypnosis	198	(1)
Autogenic Training/Self-Hyponosis	199	(1)
Visualization	199	(2)
Affirmations	201	(1)
Subliminal Suggestion	202	(2)
A Clinic or a Live-In Program	204	(7)
Solitude and Self-Reflection	211	(1)
Healing with Laughter	211	(1)
Turn Off Your TV	212	(2)
Fasting	214	(2)
Intestinal Cleansing	216	(1)
Herbal Remedies	217	(2)
Aromatherapy	219	(1)
Homeopathy	220	(1)
Chiropractice	220	(1)
A Chemical Deterrent to Drinking	221	(1)
Alternative Approaches to Quitting Drinking	222	(7)
Counseling/Psychotherapy	229	(1)
Group Therapy	230	(1)
Light Therapy	231	(1)
Expressive Arts Therapy	232	(1)
Hug a Friend	233	(1)
Religion	234	(2)
Spiritual Healing	236	(3)
Charity/Altruism	239	(1)
Growing in Love	240	(5)
Which Techniques Will You Do?	241	(4)
PART THREE: Quitting and Making It Work for You	245	(60)
Okay---Pick a Day	247	(7)
Use Everything You've Learned So Far	248	(1)
Your Master Plan	248	(1)
Promise Someone	249	(1)
Make a Contract	250	(1)
Contract to Quit Drinking	250	(1)
Pick a Day and Quit	251	(3)
Your Day	253	(1)
Getting a Successful Start	254	(10)
Coping with Urges	255	(1)
169 Ways to Cope with Urges	256	(1)
How Close Can You Get to Alcohol?	256	(3)
Avoiding Drinking Situations	257	(2)
For Anyone Who Asks You ...	259	(5)
Why I'm Not Drinking	260	(4)
Fifteen Common Problems and How to Solve Them	264	(12)
Anxiety	265	(1)
Depression	265	(1)
Anger	266	(1)
Disturbed Sleep	267	(1)
Guilt	267	(1)
Overeating	268	(1)
Gastrointestinal Distress	269	(1)
Visions, Hallucinations	270	(1)
Fuzzy Thinking	271	(1)
The Same Old Family Situation	271	(1)
Sex	272	(1)
Friends	273	(1)
Setbacks	273	(1)
Slips	274	(1)
Celebrations	275	(1)
Enjoying the Benefits of Not Drinking	276	(11)
Two Big Benefits	276	(4)
How Much Time Do You Save?	277	(2)
How Much Money Do You Save?	279	(1)
You Deserve a Reward	280	(3)
Claim Your Prizes	281	(2)
Having Fun	283	(4)
The Benefits of Not Drinking	284	(3)
Inspirations to Help Make Quitting Easier	287	(8)
Do One Thing at a Time	287	(2)
All Things Come to Those Who Wait	289	(1)
Old Endings Are New Beginnings	289	(1)
Everything Changes	290	(1)
Don't Take Anything Too Seriously	290	(1)
Live this Very Moment	291	(1)
You Can't Have Everything All at Once	292	(1)
Hear the Truth Within	292	(1)
Your Life Is as Long as You Want It to Be	293	(1)
You Can Have this Day for Free	293	(2)
Making Your Life a Success	295	(5)
What Are Your Important Goals?	296	(2)
Personal Life Goals	296	(2)
Getting What You Want and Getting Good Results Without Alcohol	298	(2)
Freedom	300	(5)
Feeling Free	301	(1)
Steering Clear of Trouble	302	(1)
Three Ways to Keep Your Freedom	303	(1)
A New You	303	(2)
Afterword	305	(2)
Bibliography and Recommended Reading	307	(8)
Index	315	(6)
About the Author	321