What do you think?
Rate this book
Helping Families Recover from Addiction: Coping, Growing, and Healing through 12-Step Practices and Ignatian Spirituality
2021 Illumination Book Awards, Gold Health/Wellness
When addiction enters a home, recovery is necessary for the entire family.
The fear, shame, and stigma associated with addiction can prevent families from discussing and addressing the issues that affect everyone who loves the addict. Jean Heaton knows from personal experience that addiction is best responded to when we address the spiritual and familial dimensions of the disease, in addition to the physical aspects.
Helping Families Recover from Coping, Growing, and Healing through 12-Step Practices and Ignatian Spirituality retells Jean Heaton’s journey “working the steps” as a family member of people with addictions. Heaton draws on personal stories and research, including examples from Father Ed Dowling, SJ, spiritual advisor to Bill W., a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and others to illustrate the connections between this life-saving program and Ignatian Spirituality. Each chapter ends with reflection points based on Scripture that can help readers as they begin the work of each of the Twelve Steps.
Story-driven, integrative, and practical, this book can help families heal from the effects of a loved one’s addiction and move into a healthy and promising future.
When addiction enters a home, recovery is necessary for the entire family.
The fear, shame, and stigma associated with addiction can prevent families from discussing and addressing the issues that affect everyone who loves the addict. Jean Heaton knows from personal experience that addiction is best responded to when we address the spiritual and familial dimensions of the disease, in addition to the physical aspects.
Helping Families Recover from Coping, Growing, and Healing through 12-Step Practices and Ignatian Spirituality retells Jean Heaton’s journey “working the steps” as a family member of people with addictions. Heaton draws on personal stories and research, including examples from Father Ed Dowling, SJ, spiritual advisor to Bill W., a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and others to illustrate the connections between this life-saving program and Ignatian Spirituality. Each chapter ends with reflection points based on Scripture that can help readers as they begin the work of each of the Twelve Steps.
Story-driven, integrative, and practical, this book can help families heal from the effects of a loved one’s addiction and move into a healthy and promising future.
212 pages, Paperback
Published October 25, 2020
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 15, 2020
I didn't know how much I needed this book until I begin to read it. I always thought I dealt with what I grew up in pretty good, but so many things were brought to the surface that I needed to face and deal with. This book has helped me tremendously not only with healing from the addiction I grew up with and am still dealing with today, but also with everyday life.
I love the stories that were shared. I have read this book with my Bible by my side so that I can mark/highlight verses that are mentioned. I highly recommend anyone touched by addiction read this book, really take your time and take in all that she is sharing. Take notes that you can go back to when you need them.
I love the stories that were shared. I have read this book with my Bible by my side so that I can mark/highlight verses that are mentioned. I highly recommend anyone touched by addiction read this book, really take your time and take in all that she is sharing. Take notes that you can go back to when you need them.
November 1, 2020
It was nearly 25 years ago that my family had to begin dealing with recovery. Though we did not attack the issues using Twelve Steps (we used a model offered by the Minirth―Meier Clinic in the book Love is a Choice), the Twelve Steps were certainly part of our assigned reading. It has now been 15 years since I picked up a book explicitly dealing with the topic. Jean Heaton’s book provided a nice refresher of the lessons we learned and applied years ago.
I enjoyed the way the author took time to explain how each step helped her in her journey and then expanded it to demonstrate how each step can challenge different individuals and families in different ways. The author also connects the Twelve Steps to her Catholic faith by connecting to the Scriptures and church fathers. Each step also includes a devotional asking the reader to reflect on how each step pertains to their own journey.
I was appreciative of how the book helped me review lessons learned 20 years ago and its reminders of how to handle myself when dealing those still dealing with addictive behaviors even if not active addictions.
Though most evangelical churches would probably not place this book into their church libraries, I do think Christians of any type dealing with addictions within their family group could be helped in their journey through the Twelve Steps - whether just beginning or years along the path.
My major concern is that a book of this type can leave the reader thinking that having gone through the book, they have completed the Twelve Steps. For each of us who have followed that path, it is one that must be repeated, again and again. This book allowed this reader to walk it one more time - perhaps someone else needs to walk it again. May this review serve as an invitation for you to do so.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
I enjoyed the way the author took time to explain how each step helped her in her journey and then expanded it to demonstrate how each step can challenge different individuals and families in different ways. The author also connects the Twelve Steps to her Catholic faith by connecting to the Scriptures and church fathers. Each step also includes a devotional asking the reader to reflect on how each step pertains to their own journey.
I was appreciative of how the book helped me review lessons learned 20 years ago and its reminders of how to handle myself when dealing those still dealing with addictive behaviors even if not active addictions.
Though most evangelical churches would probably not place this book into their church libraries, I do think Christians of any type dealing with addictions within their family group could be helped in their journey through the Twelve Steps - whether just beginning or years along the path.
My major concern is that a book of this type can leave the reader thinking that having gone through the book, they have completed the Twelve Steps. For each of us who have followed that path, it is one that must be repeated, again and again. This book allowed this reader to walk it one more time - perhaps someone else needs to walk it again. May this review serve as an invitation for you to do so.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Read
September 21, 2020If your lives have been touched by a family member or friend in addiction, your pain is real and your situation is more common than you think. This book is a gift to you. It was written to be a source of comfort as well as an empowering road map to healing. It is easy to read, process and follow. It flows gently from conversation to storytelling to historical and biblical references. The author provided practical tools and suggestions useful at any stage of your journey whether your loved one is in active addiction, in recovery, or no longer with you. By connecting the 12 Steps with concepts of Ignatian spirituality, this book reveals sound spiritual and psychological principles that lead to peace and wholeness. While the author’s faith is rooted in Christianity, the principles and ideas are universal regardless of a person’s beliefs. I’ve found no other book that addresses helping families recover from addiction as this one does. Family members often suffer in silence. Crack open this treasure to renew your hope and realize that you’re never alone.
September 28, 2020
Jean Heaton is a mom, transformed by addiction in her family and committed to sharing her story with others in an effort to provide hope, healing and joy. I love her honesty upfront that she is not a trained professional. She is a woman who was in the grip of shame, desperately clinging to her desire to see healing for her family and her journey to get there. She beautifully blends the twelve-step program with Ignatian Spirituality and provides real life testimony of her own steps forward. An addict affects everyone in their sphere of influence, and no one is left unscathed from the damaging consequences. In the time of recovery, much attention is placed on the addict, but the truth is, the others in their sphere have wounds too. Anyone, from ANY faith, can appreciate the powerful lessons offered and shared in this valuable resource.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
November 19, 2020
Jean is a great storyteller! Relatable, true to life stories allowed me to identify with the effects of addiction. The step work walks me through and towards a meaningful life. Simply read and heartfelt.
April 4, 2022
I think there's something in this book for everyone. The prayer reflections at the end of each chapter were such a great way to enter more fully into the things she was sharing. Everyone struggles with unhealthy attachments, and the steps and advice in this book help to recognize that you can't control everything, God is loving and powerful, and healing is possible.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews