20 Alcoholics Best Books to Read The 2024 Edition

Nobody in my real life could meet that need, so I turned—as I always do when I need comfort, https://gobiernoabierto.veracruzmunicipio.gob.mx/conflict-management-definition-strategies-and/ encouragement, or inspiration—to books. I read this book before I became a parent and was floored, but have thought about it even more since. It is the heartbreaking and astute account of Sheff’s experience of his son, Nic’s, addiction and eventual recovery. He viscerally paints the picture of the hope-tainted despair, anguish, and havoc that addiction wreaks on an entire family. Ann Dowsett Johnston brilliantly weaves her own story of recovery with in-depth research on the alarming rise of risky drinking among women.

We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life by Laura McKowen

When she’s hooked on Demetrol, we perceive events through the distorted viewpoint of an addict. This is the kind of myopic or unreliable narrator we encounter frequently in novels – conspicuously naïve or self-delusive, and unchaperoned by a consolingly wise authorial presence—but almost never in memoir. Told in the present tense (another rarity in autobiography), the result is a stunningly immersive and intimate story. We seem to experience Ditlevsen’s life with her, moment by vivid moment.

  • Reading a few chapters of a recovery-related book each day can help weave your sobriety or moderation goals into your everyday life.
  • Part memoir and part how-to, many former drinkers credit Alcohol Lied to Me with helping them to finally beat the bottle.
  • If you struggle with anything related to body image, you won’t regret this read.

Sober Celebrities: 4 Hollywood Stars Who Overcame Addiction

best memoirs about alcoholism

They quickly became friends, bonding over their shared desire for an exciting, outside-the-lines life. Most of their friends spent their weekends living the “rose all day” lifestyle, and every first date wanted to meet at a bar. Finally, at the behest of his coworkers and boss, he ends up in a rehab that specifically caters to gay and lesbian patients. Once his 30 days are up, he has to figure out how to return to his New York City lifestyle sans alcohol. Burroughs’ story is one of triumph and loss, professional success and personal failure, finding your way to sobriety, falling into relapse, and starting all over again. In his first novel, Burroughs gives a vivid, semi-autobiographical best books on alcoholism account of heroin addiction in the early 1950s.

Blackout by Sarah Hepola

They encourage you to embrace the sober “Irish exit,” leaving the party early to enjoy a starlit stroll home. It includes recipes for zero-proof cocktails for all seasons and has tips for navigating the dating scene while completely sober. If you’re feeling down about “missing out” on life if you cut back on alcohol or got sober, read this book. Ward and Libaire show you how to get intoxicated, but with life instead of alcohol. Authors Amanda Eyre Ward and Jardine Libraire met shortly after getting sober.

by Leslie Jamison

Raw and real, Pond’s bok shows how he uncovers a new path to recovery outside the traditional abstinence-based programs with the help of his partner, Maureen Palmer. The result is a new, science-based approach to treating and managing addiction. Stefanie Wilder-Taylor has always had a complicated relationship with alcohol. Dry is a heartbreaking memoir of Augusten Burrough’s story of addiction, beginning with an intervention organized by his coworkers and boss and his first bout of sobriety. Alcohol Explained is a spectacularly helpful guide on alcohol and alcoholism. Author William Porter uses the science of the brain and psychology to help you understand the effects of alcohol on your body and mind.

  • The book about alcoholics is written in a conversational and engaging style, making it accessible to anyone seeking a new approach to regaining control over their drinking habits.
  • Check out our picks for the best addiction and recovery memoirs.
  • Dove “Birdie” Randolph is doing her best to be a perfect daughter.
  • The story is a poignant and raw portrayal of the struggles faced by those battling with addiction, and the devastating impact it has on their lives and relationships.

This is a self-help book by a licensed therapist that braids together anonymized client stories, personal narrative, psychological tools, and brain research. White thoughtfully explores boundaries, drug addiction treatment emotional regulation, body image, shame, and self-care in a way that’s actionable and accessible. The book is short, easy to read, and will leave you with some immediate tools for addressing social situations, sex, and friendship while navigating an alcohol-free lifestyle. More than anything, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts provides a voice of kind generosity and understanding to anyone who is looking to learn more for themselves or a loved one.

best memoirs about alcoholism

Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction by Elizabeth Vargas

The Outrun by Amy Liptrot is a captivating memoir that delves into the author’s battle with addiction and her journey towards recovery. Liptrot’s raw and honest account takes readers on a powerful exploration of her struggle with alcoholism, as well as her connection to the rugged landscape of the Orkney Islands. The book is a poignant and moving portrayal of the author’s resilience and determination to overcome her demons, while finding solace in the untamed beauty of the natural world. Liptrot’s evocative writing and vivid descriptions make The Outrun a compelling and insightful read, offering a unique perspective on the challenges of addiction and the healing power of nature.

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