A Hole in the Sidewalk: The Recovering Person's Guide to Relapse Prevention

by Claudia Black

The journey along the road to recovery may be a glorious and fulfilling adventure, but there are dangers and pitfalls along the way. The person recovering from any addiction needs to be aware of the hazards that lead to relapse. A Hole in the Sidewalk points out ways to avoid the holes; as one travels the path of recovery.

Each section offers additional tools for recovery. The more tools one gathers and uses, the more recovery will be strengthened.

Key sections include:

Overconfidence
Resentments
Relationships
Anger
Priorities
Plus many more...

This book is written in a style that allows the reader to skip to the various themes which explore issues that one identifies to be a priority. This book is not meant to be a program of recovery, but to be used as an additional tool for recovery.

I walk down the street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I fall in
I am lost - I am helpless
It isn't my fault
It takes forever to find a way out

I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I pretend I don't see it
I fall in again
I can't believe I am in the same place
But it isn't my fault
It still takes a long time to get out

I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I see it is there
I still fall in-it's a habit
My eyes are open
I know where I am
It is my fault
I get out immediately

I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk
I walk around it

I walk down another street
Poem by Portia Nelson

147 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

Claudia Black, M.S.W., Ph.D. is a renowned addiction and trauma expert, author, and trainer internationally recognized for her pioneering and contemporary work with family systems and addictive disorders. Dr. Black's passion to help young adults overcome obstacles and strengthen families built the foundation of the Claudia Black Young Adult Center at The Meadows treatment center in Arizona. Not only is Dr. Black the clinical architect of this innovative treatment program, she is also a Senior Fellow at The Meadows. She is the author of sixteen books, most recently Unspoken Legacy and Intimate Treason.