7 Novels That Capture the Pain and Chaos of Alcoholism Literary Hub

best alcoholic memoirs

2009’s Lit is the volume that deals with Karr’s alcoholism and desperate search for recovery. It can be read alone, but why would you want to miss out on reading all three in order? Although the first two volumes aren’t overtly about Karr’s addiction, they show its makings in her traumatic home life and a lost adolescence. This Naked Mind by Annie Grace is one of the most loved sobriety books ever written. In it, Annie talks about her own experiences with addiction while keeping things deeply relatable to anyone who’s questioned alcohol’s role in their life.

“God and Starbucks: An NBA Superstar’s Journey Through Addiction and Recovery”

best alcoholic memoirs

It’s a witty, straightforward tale of the shenanigans, shame, and confusion that occurs in the morning-afters. Sarah also explores how alcohol affected her relationships with her friends, family, and even her cat. The ones who can make it to the other side of addiction gain an enriched, rare perspective on life that they never best alcoholic memoirs could’ve had otherwise. Whether you drink often, are newly sober, or anywhere in between, it can be deeply inspiring to hear a story from someone who’s experienced exactly what you’re going through. Clare Pooley left her position at one of the world’s largest advertising agencies to focus on raising her three children.

“I’m Black and I’m Sober: A Minister’s Daughter Tells Her Story about Fighting the Disease of Alcoholism–And Winning”

best alcoholic memoirs

Through reading this book I came to better understand myself, my body’s physical reactions, and my mental health. It’s a tough book to read due to the descriptions of horrific traumas people have experienced, however it’s inspirational in its message of hope. Van der Kolk describes our inner resilience to manage the worst of life’s circumstances with our innate survival instinct. We can survive and even thrive despite the traumas we have endured.

by Augusten Burroughs

  • Reading Lolita in Tehran is the moving story of these women and their stand of resistance.
  • When she’s hooked on Demetrol, we perceive events through the distorted viewpoint of an addict.
  • As a mother, I relate to her story so deeply—our children were the same young age when we stopped drinking.
  • I will read anything Clare Pooley writes simply because she is a magical storyteller.
  • Meanwhile solidarity and communion are often touchstones among recovering addicts.

The result is a definitive treatment of the American recovery movement—a memoir in the subgenre like no other. JoJo noted that she isn’t currently sober, but she has developed a healthier relationship with the substances she once struggled with to the point of operating a vehicle while blackout drunk. “I just hope that people are encouraged to release any shame that they felt about different things in their life,” she added about the goal of sharing her experience in the book.

Best Quit Lit Books and Sobriety Memoirs to Inspire Your Recovery

This book serves as a guide for anyone starting their journey with a 30 day sobriety challenge. The Dry Challenge can be especially helpful for people who drink socially, and are looking to take a structured step back to re-evaluate their habits. This book offers inspiration for alcohol-free drinks and activities, and tangible tips on how to navigate a month (or beyond!) without alcohol.

Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker

Michael Pond has treated people with addiction for years as a psychotherapist but finds himself homeless, broke and alone when he succumbs to his own battle with alcohol use disorder. Raw and real, Pond’s bok shows how he uncovers a new path to recovery outside the traditional https://ecosoberhouse.com/ abstinence-based programs with the help of his partner, Maureen Palmer. The result is a new, science-based approach to treating and managing addiction. These pages are filled with the teachings of ancient Stoics such as Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, and Epictetus.

Nobody in my real life could meet that need, so I turned—as I always do when I need comfort, encouragement, or inspiration—to books. James went to my college, Denison University, and is friends with many of my friends, so I loved reading the parts that took place (“fictionally”) in Granville, Ohio. This is one of the first books I read about addiction ever, before I realized I had a problem. Beck is a loving husband, father, and respected business owner who drinks two bottles of wine a night. Unwilling to call himself an alcoholic, he tries everything to curb his drinking without success.

  • It removes the psychological dependence; allowing you to easily drink less (or stop drinking entirely).
  • I’ve dug into memoir after memoir, tiptoed into the hard science books, and enjoyed the fiction from afar.
  • During his days as a young Manhattanite working in advertising, he tried everything to hide his constant drinking, including spraying cologne on his tongue.
  • Hepola spends hungover mornings piecing together the missing hours of the nights before and frequently wakes up with unrecognizable men in unfamiliar places.

best alcoholic memoirs

best alcoholic memoirs

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