Trauma and the 12 Steps: An Inclusive Guide to Enhancing Recovery

by Jamie Marich, Stephen Dansiger (Foreword)

An inclusive, research-based guide to working the 12 a trauma-informed approach for clinicians, sponsors, and those in recovery.

Step 1: You admit that you're powerless over your addiction. Now what?

12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) have helped countless people on the path to recovery. But many still feel that 12-step programs aren't for that the spiritual emphasis is too narrow, the modality too old-school, the setting too triggering, or the space too exclusive. Some struggle with an addict label that can eclipse the histories, traumas, and experiences that feed into addiction, or dismisses the effects of adverse experiences like trauma in the first place. Advances in addiction medicine, trauma, neuropsychiatry, social theory, and overall strides in inclusivity need to be integrated into modern-day 12-step programs to reflect the latest research and what it means to live with an addiction today.

Dr. Jamie Marich, an addiction and trauma clinician in recovery herself, builds necessary bridges between the 12-step's core foundations and up-to-date developments in trauma-informed care. Foregrounding the intersections of addiction, trauma, identity, and systems of oppression, Marich's approach treats the whole person--not just the addiction--to foster healing, transformation, and growth.

Written for clinicians, therapists, sponsors, and those in recovery, Marich provides an extensive toolkit of trauma-informed skills

Genres: Addiction, Psychology, Counselling, Nonfiction

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2012

Reviews

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Jordan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This title felt misleading.

I was under the impression that this would be a guide for those in recovery to utilize in combination with 12 step curriculum, but this is more accurately a guide for 12-step leaders to utilize while leading recovery groups; essentially, psychoeducation for a greater understanding of trauma. While I think being trauma-informed is highly important, I also think it's essential that those who have experienced trauma are responsible for their own healing and the ways in which it impacts their lives (i.e., not expecting everyone to conform to their own needs). While it's important to be inclusive and mindful of a person or group's needs, I don't think it's best (and only others' responsibility) to treat those who have experienced trauma with kid gloves. People will be insensitive. Recovery is messy. Given that, plus our skills and what we know about our own experiences, how can we take care of ourselves so we can manage these difficulties when they arise? THAT'S what I was hoping this would address.

There's a balance -- and while this book gets closer to that sweet spot, I don't think it quite lands for me.

[Don Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read

One of the most significant books on recovery I’ve read in the last ten years. I’m grateful for having read it and recommend it to anyone in the recovery community.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book undertakes the very important task of defining how one might work with both addiction recovery and healing from trauma at the same time. The author is open to multiple modalities for working with processing trauma. She is especially thorough in pointing out how some messaging in recovery communities may be perplexing and potentially re-injuring to trauma survivors, particularly early on in recovery.

[Tatiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF - This book was spectacular the first few chapters, and is a super helpful take on navigating the 12 steps through the ways they don't always support PTSD. But as the book goes on, it became less enlightening and turned into a long ad for the authors website and products, to the point that I stopped reading.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some useful handouts and insights

[Evil Secret Ninja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has some great ways to include the 12 steps when working with trauma. This has been helpful for me in my work with people with addiction and trauma.

[Ashley Connolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative yet repetitive

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid book on addiction. I really enjoy Dr. Marich’s trainings and books.