15 Lifechanging Books on Addiction and Recovery

She highlights not only her relationship to alcohol, but also key takeaways from her many attempts to get sober. Reading her book is like sharing a cup of coffee with your wise best friend. She’s brilliant in writing and shares many actionable tips and strategies.

Trauma and Recovery

So, we asked our alumni which books impacted their recovery and now we are sharing the list with you. This is one of the best stories about recovering from addiction. It can give the push someone needs to start his or her journey to sobriety. He also shares that getting sane, clean, and sober requires constant effort.

• In “Beautiful Boy,” journalist David Sheff details his sporty son’s descent into crystal meth addiction.
• Developed by registered dietitians, this book takes a new twist on classic cocktails.
• Exploring the thoughts of an addict and a life unraveled by narcotics, this memoir spans the author’s struggles with opioid use disorder, to her time in jail, and ultimately to her recovery.
• In the realm of addiction and recovery, there are several inspiring narratives that offer hope and insight into the journey of overcoming addiction.
• This book reads like a conversation, and teaches us to get curious.

Does Drinking Alcohol Cause Hair Loss?

Sarah’s writing is sharp and relatable; a more recent, modern voice in the recovery space. So many of us look at “blacking out” as benign, or normal—an indicator of a “successful” night of drinking. In Blackout, Sarah clearly explains why there’s nothing benign about it and describes what is actually happening to the brain when we reach that point of alcohol-induced amnesia. I love her perspective on drinking as an act of counter-feminism—that in reality it actually dismantles our power, our pride, and our dignity as women, though we intended the opposite. This is an approachable recipe book using everyday healthy ingredients to make delicious alcohol-free drinks for every occasion.

Integrating Wellness in Massachusetts Rehab

If you or a loved one is struggling with any form of substance use disorder, American Addiction Centers can help. With facilities scattered across the U.S., AAC is a leading provider of evidence-based treatment and mental health services. Reach out to an admissions counselor at to learn more about treatment and take the first steps toward recovery today.

One Day at a Time

Good books allow readers to connect with characters and develop an understanding that can be used in their recovery journey. Employing an integrative, 7-step program for addiction, The Addiction Recovery Skills Workbook helps readers to better understand the roots of their substance misuse issues. A powerful tool when used in conjunction with treatment, the concept pairs motivational techniques, cognitive behavior therapy, and mindfulness strategies. It gives an account of how his son David became addicted to meth. This is one of the books about drug addiction that shows the impact of addiction on one’s family. Alcoholics Anonymous-The Big Book-has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide.

Unlock Healing with Day Treatment

Through humor and heartbreak, August shares an accurate and personal account of his struggles with substance abuse and how he strives to maintain his sobriety after returning from rehab. These inspiring addiction recovery narratives offer a glimpse into the personal struggles and triumphs of individuals who have battled addiction. Through their stories, readers can find solace, inspiration, and the knowledge that they are not alone on their journey towards recovery.

Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through Addiction

• At the age of 15, Cat Marnell began to unknowingly “murder her life” when she became hooked on the ADHD medication prescribed to her by her psychiatrist father.
• Annie’s book is so important (and she’s a wonderful human to boot).
• Through humor and heartbreak, August shares an accurate and personal account of his struggles with substance abuse and how he strives to maintain his sobriety after returning from rehab.
• Written with courage and candor this book leaves you ready to push against a society suggesting alcohol is the solution to women’s problems.
• Books can be an entertaining way to escape to a world of make-believe, but they can also help you uncover truths, spark inspiration, and serve as a catalyst for change.

Sober Diaries is an upbeat, funny and positive look at how to live life to the full. They say it provides incredible insight and wisdom, emphasizing core principles of life. Readers also mention it’s an amazing guide and applies to many areas of our lives.

How to Murder Your Life by Cat Marnell

When I first read this book over ten years ago it felt like I was reading my own journal (if my journal was written in incredibly eloquent prose). I almost wanted to snap it shut, but instead finished it in one day and have read it at least three more times since. Knapp so perfectly describes the emotional landscape of addiction, and as a literary study it’s as perfect a memoir as I’ve ever read. I best recovery books often think about what it took to publish this when she did, in the 90’s, as a female and a journalist in Boston.

Principles of Medication-Assisted Treatment

These memoirs on addiction and recovery provide readers with profound insights into the human experience of addiction, the challenges faced during the recovery process, and the ultimate hope for redemption. By sharing their personal stories, these authors offer inspiration and understanding to those who may be on their own journey toward recovery. “The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober” explores the impact of alcohol on health and minds, offering a refreshing and insightful perspective on sobriety. The author encourages readers to embrace sobriety as a fulfilling and empowering choice, bringing clarity, self-discovery, and personal growth. “High on Arrival” by Mackenzie Phillips is praised for its complete honesty, rawness, and the impact of the author’s recovery journey on inspiring others to seek recovery. Phillips, a well-known actress, courageously shares her personal story of addiction and the challenges she faced in her quest for sobriety.