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The Waterfall Concept: A Blueprint for Addiction Recovery
This is an addicts owner's manual. It is truly, a blueprint for recovery. It is a practical description of addiction and what must be done to recover. Whether the struggle is drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornograhy or any other sexual addiction, it is all covered in this book. It is written with the understanding that only an addict/clinician can have It is the book I wish had been given to me the day I realized, I was in fact an addict.
In my own recovery from addiction, in my studies which qualified me to practice as an addiction counselor and in my ensuing work with addicts, I have been taught. What I have come to understand is prsented here.
In my own recovery from addiction, in my studies which qualified me to practice as an addiction counselor and in my ensuing work with addicts, I have been taught. What I have come to understand is prsented here.
196 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2010
6 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Roger Stark
4 books57 followersI am, by my own admission, a reluctant writer. But there are stories that demand to to be told. When we hear them, we must pick up our pen, lest we forget and the stories be lost.
Six years ago, in a quiet conversation with my friend Marvin, I learned the tragic story his father, a WW2 B-29 Airplane Commander, shot down over Nagoya, Japan just months before the end of the war.
Bill Clinton has famously said: "They were the fathers we never knew, the uncles we never met, the friends who never returned, the heroes we can never repay. They gave us our world. And those simple sounds of freedom we hear today are their voices speaking to us across the years."
Such a man was Marv’s father. A father he never knew. The telling of the story that evening by this half orphan was so moving and full of emotion, it compelled me to ask if I could write the story. The result being “They Called Him Marvin.”
My life has been profoundly touched in so many ways by being part of documenting this sacred story. I pray that we never forget, as a people, the depth of sacrifice that was made by ordinary people like Marvin and his father and mother on our behalf.
My career as an addiction counselor (CDP) lead me to write “The Waterfall Concept; A Blueprint for Addiction Recovery," and co-author "Reclaiming Your Addicted Brain."
After my counseling retirement, I decided I wanted to learn more about the craft of writing and started attending classes at Portland Oregon’s Attic Institute. What I learned is that there are an mazing number of great writers in my area and they were willing to help others improve their skills. I am grateful to many of them.
My next project is already underway, a memoir of growing in SW Washington called “Life on a Sorta Farm.” My wife of 49 years, Susan and I still live in that area.
We raised seven children, and have eleven grandchildren. We love to travel and see the sites and cultures of the world. I still get on my bicycle whenever I can.
Six years ago, in a quiet conversation with my friend Marvin, I learned the tragic story his father, a WW2 B-29 Airplane Commander, shot down over Nagoya, Japan just months before the end of the war.
Bill Clinton has famously said: "They were the fathers we never knew, the uncles we never met, the friends who never returned, the heroes we can never repay. They gave us our world. And those simple sounds of freedom we hear today are their voices speaking to us across the years."
Such a man was Marv’s father. A father he never knew. The telling of the story that evening by this half orphan was so moving and full of emotion, it compelled me to ask if I could write the story. The result being “They Called Him Marvin.”
My life has been profoundly touched in so many ways by being part of documenting this sacred story. I pray that we never forget, as a people, the depth of sacrifice that was made by ordinary people like Marvin and his father and mother on our behalf.
My career as an addiction counselor (CDP) lead me to write “The Waterfall Concept; A Blueprint for Addiction Recovery," and co-author "Reclaiming Your Addicted Brain."
After my counseling retirement, I decided I wanted to learn more about the craft of writing and started attending classes at Portland Oregon’s Attic Institute. What I learned is that there are an mazing number of great writers in my area and they were willing to help others improve their skills. I am grateful to many of them.
My next project is already underway, a memoir of growing in SW Washington called “Life on a Sorta Farm.” My wife of 49 years, Susan and I still live in that area.
We raised seven children, and have eleven grandchildren. We love to travel and see the sites and cultures of the world. I still get on my bicycle whenever I can.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 26, 2011
For those who are stuck in their addictions this book is a godsend. The Waterfall Concept was written by a recovering addict himself who became an addiction counselor wanting to help addicts and their families.
Roger Stark explains in simple language the process in which anyone struggling with any kind of addiction can return to recovery.
From three basic phases, discovery, recovery and maintenance, addicts learn to heal themselves to a life of happiness and fulfillment.
With the idea of water flowing over a falls and the understanding that the pull of an addiction is as powerful as a waterfalls, those dealing with addictions can learn to move up stream to safety. This book also includes the 12-step process from the LDS Recovery Program workbook and a checklist of mental, emotional, physical, behavioral and spiritual aspects of a recovering addiction.
The Waterfall Concept would be very helpful for all involved in an addict’s life and can give new insight on a life without addiction.
Roger Stark explains in simple language the process in which anyone struggling with any kind of addiction can return to recovery.
From three basic phases, discovery, recovery and maintenance, addicts learn to heal themselves to a life of happiness and fulfillment.
With the idea of water flowing over a falls and the understanding that the pull of an addiction is as powerful as a waterfalls, those dealing with addictions can learn to move up stream to safety. This book also includes the 12-step process from the LDS Recovery Program workbook and a checklist of mental, emotional, physical, behavioral and spiritual aspects of a recovering addiction.
The Waterfall Concept would be very helpful for all involved in an addict’s life and can give new insight on a life without addiction.
December 15, 2010
This is an excellent book, filled with information and suggestions to help someone as they struggle with addiction recovery.
Roger Stark is not only an addiction counselor, but a recovering addict himself. He approaches this book with the same attitude required of anyone attempting recovery -- humility. He offers so many tools in this book and covers all the bases: spiritual, emotional, physical. His suggestions progress from the easiest to follow early recovery techniques to more challenging techniques in later stages and the maintenance phase.
Stark clearly defines what an addict is and describes how they got to their place of addiction. I found it to be a good book for any parent who may have a child that is beginning to use drugs or alcohol as a coping technique for their feelings. I think many of the suggestions could be used as preventative tools, not only as recovery tools.
Stark is positive and encouraging throughout the book. He helps put relapses into perspective so they can become learning experiences rather than stumbling blocks.
What I loved most about his book is that many of his techniques are helpful overall life skills. Anyone can benefit from learning and incorporating the suggestions for coping, self-care, and expressing feelings.
The book had a lot of grammar and punctuation mistakes that made the reader have to work a little too hard. But it was well worth the effort. I strongly recommend this book to anyone, those who are currently in addiction recovery, parents, or anyone looking to become healthier emotionally.
Roger Stark is not only an addiction counselor, but a recovering addict himself. He approaches this book with the same attitude required of anyone attempting recovery -- humility. He offers so many tools in this book and covers all the bases: spiritual, emotional, physical. His suggestions progress from the easiest to follow early recovery techniques to more challenging techniques in later stages and the maintenance phase.
Stark clearly defines what an addict is and describes how they got to their place of addiction. I found it to be a good book for any parent who may have a child that is beginning to use drugs or alcohol as a coping technique for their feelings. I think many of the suggestions could be used as preventative tools, not only as recovery tools.
Stark is positive and encouraging throughout the book. He helps put relapses into perspective so they can become learning experiences rather than stumbling blocks.
What I loved most about his book is that many of his techniques are helpful overall life skills. Anyone can benefit from learning and incorporating the suggestions for coping, self-care, and expressing feelings.
The book had a lot of grammar and punctuation mistakes that made the reader have to work a little too hard. But it was well worth the effort. I strongly recommend this book to anyone, those who are currently in addiction recovery, parents, or anyone looking to become healthier emotionally.
October 7, 2016
"A Must Read and Great Recovery Guide"
I will confess it took me awhile to read this book. Not because it's hard to read, but because it's filled with so much advice, tools, and resources all people who are looking to recover from any addiction can use. It is a guide to a well-balanced recovery path.
It helps in all areas we as addicts need and you can follow along easily, and the tools suggested can be put to work right away. Roger touches on all aspects of recovery. He helps with the "Spiritual, Mind, Physical and much more. If you are serious about recovery? This book will help you get a firm hold and excellent start in long-term recovery. It will help you gain useful life skills that many recovery books miss. We tend to get past that first year in recovery and then "feel stuck."
Roger's book will help through this period of moving forward and gives clear directives as it teaches you how to build "self-worth and trust" within yourself. That to me was them most important part of what I received from reading Roger's book.
So whether you are just starting out in recovery, or you are a long-timer?
There is something for everyone in this one. I will have all my sponsee's reading this book!
I will confess it took me awhile to read this book. Not because it's hard to read, but because it's filled with so much advice, tools, and resources all people who are looking to recover from any addiction can use. It is a guide to a well-balanced recovery path.
It helps in all areas we as addicts need and you can follow along easily, and the tools suggested can be put to work right away. Roger touches on all aspects of recovery. He helps with the "Spiritual, Mind, Physical and much more. If you are serious about recovery? This book will help you get a firm hold and excellent start in long-term recovery. It will help you gain useful life skills that many recovery books miss. We tend to get past that first year in recovery and then "feel stuck."
Roger's book will help through this period of moving forward and gives clear directives as it teaches you how to build "self-worth and trust" within yourself. That to me was them most important part of what I received from reading Roger's book.
So whether you are just starting out in recovery, or you are a long-timer?
There is something for everyone in this one. I will have all my sponsee's reading this book!
July 7, 2013
Mr Stark has dome a wonderful job of compiling and creating a book that draws from a wealth of understanding and knowledge. From "The Four Agreements, to "The Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous, and much of his own religious understanding, physical, emotional, social, spiritual, etc... a Holistic approach, as any successful program of recovery needs to be.
The book deals with what is called "the mental obsession" in the 12-Step community, or "How to Stay Quit!"
One important thing that will work especially well for some, and not well for others is the fact that it'd steeped in Christian LDS (Church of Latter-Day Saints) terminology and ideas. So if terminology like "Heavenly Father" is something that will hinder your Open-Mindedness, then it may not be your thing. But that doesn't take anything away from the innumerable other beneficial ideas and techniques which are more on par with a Cognitive-Behavioral approach and techniques. There is a vast amount of useful and potentially life-saving information in this easy read ,that is broken into small chapters/sections, which is excellent for taking the parts that are useful to you, and letting go of that which is not.
The book deals with what is called "the mental obsession" in the 12-Step community, or "How to Stay Quit!"
One important thing that will work especially well for some, and not well for others is the fact that it'd steeped in Christian LDS (Church of Latter-Day Saints) terminology and ideas. So if terminology like "Heavenly Father" is something that will hinder your Open-Mindedness, then it may not be your thing. But that doesn't take anything away from the innumerable other beneficial ideas and techniques which are more on par with a Cognitive-Behavioral approach and techniques. There is a vast amount of useful and potentially life-saving information in this easy read ,that is broken into small chapters/sections, which is excellent for taking the parts that are useful to you, and letting go of that which is not.
October 23, 2013
The "Waterfall Concept" by Roger Stark is a well written book that is very informative and easy to understand. Roger provides excellent insight into addiction and recovery, that I believe would be very beneficial not only to individuals struggling with their own addiction, but to family, friends, or others concerned about a loved ones addictive behaviors.
The analogy of the addictive process to a waterfall, and the need to "stay away from slippery places", is an insightful comparison. The author also does an excellent job of combining the steps of AA with relapse prevention strategies and gospel principles. The need for spirituality in recovery is emphasized, by combining clinical knowledge with scriptures and quotes from LDS church leaders. I would also recommend this book to clinicians who work with individuals struggling with addictions or in recovery. (Reviewed by my friend Carolyn Garagray, LCSW)
The analogy of the addictive process to a waterfall, and the need to "stay away from slippery places", is an insightful comparison. The author also does an excellent job of combining the steps of AA with relapse prevention strategies and gospel principles. The need for spirituality in recovery is emphasized, by combining clinical knowledge with scriptures and quotes from LDS church leaders. I would also recommend this book to clinicians who work with individuals struggling with addictions or in recovery. (Reviewed by my friend Carolyn Garagray, LCSW)
December 3, 2013
This book is an absolute must read. Stark steps passed the symptoms of addiction (alcoholism, illicit drug addiction and sexual addiction) and works to identify and expose the roots of our addictive behaviors in order to heal from the inside and progress away from the despair of active addiction.
His writing style flows freely and is easy to understand. He offers personal accounts, accounts of others and relatable analogies to help us connect to what he is teaching.
The Waterfall Concept truly is a blueprint for addiction recovery, as it focuses more on the solution than it does the problem. Focusing on our problems drove us to addiction - focusing on recovery is what will help us break the chains of our bondage.
Sidreis @ www.bythelightofgrace.com
His writing style flows freely and is easy to understand. He offers personal accounts, accounts of others and relatable analogies to help us connect to what he is teaching.
The Waterfall Concept truly is a blueprint for addiction recovery, as it focuses more on the solution than it does the problem. Focusing on our problems drove us to addiction - focusing on recovery is what will help us break the chains of our bondage.
Sidreis @ www.bythelightofgrace.com
October 22, 2012
For those of us struggling with addictions, this book is amazingly insightful and helpful. Written by a recovering addict who now counsels other addicts, it is filled with helpful concepts which help explain how addiction works and how we can work to overcome them. Great book! Highly recommend!
December 14, 2013
This book made it easy for me understand my addictive thinking and self destructive behavior and then helped me identify a clear path of recovery that I could commit to. It is one of the most transformative tools I have used in my recovery process.
August 2, 2014
A wonderful, practical help to understanding addiction and what needs to be done to overcome it. Yes there are a few grammar errors, but the message and tools offered in the book are well worth it. I will most likely be purchasing this book in the future.
February 16, 2017
Wonderful book, very insightful. Comes from the perceptive of an addict who is now a counselor so they really understand what it is like to struggle through recovery.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews