Staying Sober: A Guide for Relapse Prevention

by Terence T. Gorski, Merlene Miller, Father Martin (Foreword)

Very good. Scuffed edges and some on cover. Small crease across back upper corner. Few dog-eared pages. No markings. Pages are clean and bright.

Genres: Addiction, Psychology, Counselling, Self Help, Mental Health, Nonfiction

227 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1986

Reviews

[Dr. Barrett Dylan Brown, Phd]

Having read my share of AA and NA literature, I was refreshed and interested to read a book based NOT on the 12 steps, but on a Medical Physician's experience and observations of over a hundred Addicts/Alcoholics in a clinical environment and their follow-ups post-clinic.

I would recommend this book to anyone with a mind more bend toward the scientific who has tried to read AA/NA literature and just "didn't get it" or found the tone repulsive. Gorski is detached, non-judgmental, and I would later discover a big name in the Addiction-as-a-Science field.

This book is by no means "simple," rather it's more like a college textbook and anyone interested in the field could study it over and over without becoming bored.

[Edward]

An informative book on relapse prevention that goes beyond the 12steps without conflicting with AA (etc) beliefs. In fact, this enhances the recovery process of 12 steps by delving deeper into the psychological aspect of recovery.

It is a must read for people prone to relapse as well as for non-alcoholic/addict family and friends who wish to understand recovery and addiction.

It also provides compelling arguments for why it is extremely beneficial for there to be a supportive family structure for the recovering addict as well as how and why the people connected to the addict also suffer and will greatly benefit from pursuing some type of recovery for themselves.

[Jim]

Staying sober is a constant fight, as anyone who has battled an addiction can imagine. Even if you've only tried changing a bad habit, you'll understand how easy it is to slip into old ways. Gorski breaks down the relapse process & shows just how important it is not to start. A very gradual, almost imperceptible breakdown of our program leads to falling off the cliff & back into addiction. A must read for anyone who has ever relapsed on drugs or alcohol.

[Kristen Erickson]

Definitely a great book....I highly recommend this for anyone that has a loved one or family member struggling with addiction.

[Bailey Jo]

As someone that's sober, I wanted to read a book about it. I loved how it emphasized numerous times that sobriety isn't just abstinence.

This book did answer for a lot of what I've felt and thought about over the past couple of years. This is informative and a good choice to read if you're sober and want to know more about addiction or if you know someone who has an addiction and you want to learn more about it to help them.

[The Cute Little Brown-haired girl]

This is required reading for the family, which includes me, while my brother is in drug and alcohol rehab. It must be a good one or the treatment facility wouldn't make us all read it along with him.

[Debbie Vignovic]

True I did not finish this book, but I had other compelling reasons other the quality of this book.

My adult child finally came clean about their addiction to alcohol in 2023. During our family session, the rehab counselor highly recommended this book for addicts to read once they were released from the rehab facility. So of course I (addict family member) bought the book to read as well. It is an excellent book for the ADDICT to read. As for a family member, maybe, and it does clarify in clear terms the signs of relapse. For me --it made me firmly glue my "fix it" hat in place and it took me a long time to get that hat back off. The only way recovery works is if recovery is what my child wants and is willing to do the work for themself.  (Look at me going gender non-specific) I hope that I have transitioned into an empathic source of comfort and support, that I have my boundaries in place such that I only support my child's sober endevours, but no matter circumstance, I will listen and working within our boundaries helping my child to remain safe, strong, and sober. I love my child and believe this to be firmly in their wheelhouse to accomplish. Hard lessons: Worrying and Micromanaging NOT HELPFUL

For the best of all concerned I have put this book to one side for now, I will keep it to hand, if at some point it becomes necessary.

2026 update. I find myself with a sober child working hard towards recovery (Step 9) and actively engaged in sober oriented endevours. My "fix it" hat is growing dust and cobwebs in the back of my mostly useless junk room. I support what I can support, my child fixes what can be fixed.

[Ewelina]

Książka napisana prostym językiem. Odpowiednia dla pacjentów, poszukujacych wsparcia w swoim procesie leczenia. Jednak należy uwzglednic, żw to książka wydana po raz pierwszy 20 lat temu, a więc od czasu jej wydania proces leczenia uzaleznień znaczaco sie rozwinął - wiecej wiemy o wplywie wczesnego okresu życia dziecka na późniejszy rozwoj uzaleznienia oraz o współwystepowaniu uzaleznień z innymi chorobami (depresją, zaburzeniami lękowymi, PTSD) oraz neuroróżnorodnoscią (szczegolnie ADHD). Leczenie tych chorób i zaburzeń znacząco redukuje ryzyko nawrotu uzależnienia

[Kaye88]

Wow. This book literally change my life...the way I think and the way I act. POWERFUL!

[Glenn Robinson]

Very helpful and insightful tool book for staying in recovery. Many important insights, ideas and reminders.

[Bill Gardner]

A stark and well researched discussion of the path to a well balanced and sober life.

[Michelle]

a great read for those suffering from substance abuse, those who love someone who suffers or clinical staff treating patients with substance abuse issues.

[Max]

This book has opened my eyes to my struggles in my recovery program. By focusing on PAWS symptoms, I learned how to manage these roadblocks and to continue and be vigilant for relapse signs.

[carli]

I was reading this book for a college class, and i work at a rehab facility, and i think it provided me with a bunch of information i can apply!

[Taylor Carkoski]

Good information for those interested in addiction counseling/therapy

[Jan Stinus Nielsen]

Relapse is a fact of life, which any addict or family member of an addict will tell you. Understanding the mechanisms of relapse in order to prevent it is therefore a matter of the highest importance. "Staying Sober" is certainly not the only book on the subject, but it is very useful.

Gorski & Miller's textbook comes with the option to buy a separate workbook, too. I have yet to work through that, but the textbook is a very good read.

What struck me is that the authors base their knowledge on experiences with actual addicts and use this as the starting point instead of taking AA or a 12 step programme as the point of origin. This impressed me. When that is said, the book is closely tied to the AA 12 step approach and way of thought. But even if you do not subscribe to the powerless dictum and the concept of the need for a Higher Power to keep you sober, there are still a lot of useful insights in the book. I doubt that any addict will not find many examples that could easily be taken from his or her own life. Also, the focus on identifying the warning signs of relapse, and making your own personal list of these in order to prevent relapse strikes me as a very useful tool.

Summasummarum, read it and grab whatever you can use in YOUR own life. I know I did.

[Crestofir15]

only cool people can drink like me

[John]

A definite recommended read for persons in recovery.

[Deeann]

Staying Sober: A Guide for Relapse Prevention

[Thomas Dennis]

This book is a very fast read and very informative. A must to help stay Sober in life for me. By Gods grace I am worthy of his praise. AMEN

[Bob Mimiaga]

Outlines the stages of addictive relapse and the techniques of relapse prevention.

A classic book using the CENAPS model of treatment which details a client’s stages leading to relapse. Included is a good description of relapse prevention strategies that can be followed to maintain a client’s sobriety.

[Lauren (strangled)]

haven't read the last couple of chapters but not sure it's worth it, either.