Paths to Recovery: Al-Anon's Steps, Traditions and Concepts

by Al-Anon Family Groups

Help for families of alcoholics.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Reference, Psychology, Addiction, Inspirational

354 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1997

Reviews

[Donald Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very insightful book about how to live one's life, with emphasis on dealing with alcoholics (addicts really) in one's life. This book has exercises which drill down on one's thinking and behavior, requiring a self examination, ego deflation, respect for honesty with one's self and other issues which confront a life worth living. It is not for the faint of heart or one who cannot focus on a rational way of living.

[Chrysta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm working the steps using Paths to Recovery. A great Al-Anon tool.

[Kelda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too much for people like me who overdo the self-reflection!! But in healthy doses: Way Healthy. I'd recommend it.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Has great meaning for me. Practing the program of recovery outlined presents an opportunity to live a much higher quality of life.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took me a very long time to read, but it was worth it. I did every exercise and answered every question. This book helped me to discover things about myself I never knew. Great words and ideas to live by.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very helpful tool for practicing the twelve steps in my al-anon program. Nice personal stories, and insightful questions at the end of each chapter. A great way to point me in the right direction.

[Chrissy Damico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome source of information

[Jenny T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was feeling low one day and decided to pick up this book so I could stop being codependent to my mother's out of control, Borderline personality disorder. I needed to remind myself that I had to give God control of the things I can't handle and live one day at a time. I like the spiritual guidance in the book even though it's too secular for me. I learned here about the 12 steps, which I had been curious about. I'm not personally an alcoholic, but my dad is, and I have some strong codependent tendencies, which Al-Anon deals with even if one's family isn't involved with alcoholism. Expressing strengths and weaknesses and allowing God to change me are essential. But some things don't need to be stirred up or used as an excuse to go back to people or situations that weren't working. It's not up to me to force contact, reunions, repentances, and the like. It's up to me to repent of my own wrongdoing, find my own closure, and be an example, living out principles of respect. Responsibility without authenticity doesn't work.

[Jennifer Lindsay]

We've gone back to the basics which is fabulous for where I am at right now in my life. Back to Step One. Admitting my powerlessness and unmanageability. Accepting that which I cannot change.

I am in a Step and Tradition Study on Tuesday nights and this is the book we use. We're answering the questions about Tradition Two right now. I find that the Traditions are a great guide on how to relate in a healthy way in friend, family, work and love relationships.

[Chris Gager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential for sanity and serenity if one's life got off to a rocky start. Still reading of course.

[Jackballoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on recovery for alanon members. Its one of the books that stay on the currently reading shelf because there is much more to glean by rereading.

[John B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential ...

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Valuable reference, heavily detailed, good reference tome for family members of addicts.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paths to Recovery covers the 12 Steps, 12 Traditions and 12 Concepts of Al-Anon. The twelve Steps are great spiritual principles. I found the twelve Traditions and Concepts more confusing, as they discuss the organization and principles of service within the organization. In the Epilogue, there is a great suggestion to learn the Steps, Traditions and Concepts horizontally, to understand for example how Step 1, Tradition 1, and Concept 1 relate to other parts of the program, and also how each Tradition and Concept relate to one's own life, in addition to working the Step. I think this would have been a helpful suggestion in a prologue rather than in the epilogue. I probably would have gotten more out of the Traditions and Concepts if I had studied them horizontally.

[Debbie]

I purchased this at my first Al-Anon meeting in early December of 2019 and it will be on my nightstand for years to come.

Growing up in an alcoholic home and now in a relationship with a recovery alcoholic of 11 years, I am learning how my early life affects my current responses and behavior. In the early 90s, I got counseling to work through some of the issues and learned a lot about co-dependent behavior, but this is a constant growing process.

I see the sharp contrast between a dry drunk and an alcoholic who works the program and walks the walk every day.

[Suzanne Singman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly for Al-Anon members. This book goes a step beyond, pun intended. the program is not just about the 12 steps, but also the Traditions and the Concepts. Who ever built this program did a very thoughtful job and the whole thing is organized so well and so integrated. It's all about becoming a better person and approaching your life and those around you in a more spiritual way. Of course though they say the God of your understanding there is a preponderance of 'god the father'. But just insert your own belief system.

[Olive · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book in the Al-Anon literature. Such a simple, clear breakdown of the steps with clarifying questions in each section. Super well curated and on purpose.

[Christine Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth reading for any Al Anon!

[Ashlee]

interesting

[C.M. Riddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful overview of the Al-Anon program, but quite wordy.

[Kathryn L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as part of my counseling class. I found that many of the descriptors found in families of addiction can also be seen in families without addiction.

[Ann Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent helper, with poignant and relatable experiences shared, for profound growth.

[Jim Gise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steps = Gospels
Traditions = Acts
Concepts = Leviticus

[Jean Marie Angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the newer Al-Anon books, relatively speaking. I have found it to be an excellent guide to the 12 steps.

[Kathy Cramer]

Helpful with life events.