books

Author:  Charles Rubin

As stated on the cover, “This book defies the myth that parents must sacrifice themselves. Instead, it shows them how to reclaim their power, balance, happiness … and lives!”  Rubin had two addicted children when he wrote the first edition. It’s harsh, but it would have been good for me to read. Rubin was depressed and obsessed with his kids and knew he had to change it up. It’s not just his story. It really is ways and means to get a grip and just keep going.…

Author: George E. Leary, Jr.

The title says it all.  As parents we need to trust our gut. I ran around for years asking about Ted’s behavior, “Is this normal?” I knew it wasn’t. This book has some answers.…

by Allison Bottke

When you sense it is time to set some serious boundaries. This book woke us up and then we changed it up.…

Author: Kevin A. Sabet, Ph.D.

If you think marijuana is no big deal or if you think it is and your child is arguing you to death that it’s not, educate yourself with this short, to-the-point book. Simple and factual, you will be blown away by the truth of marijuana.…

By William Cope Moyers, and Katherine Ketchum

If you are a suburban parent like me, please read Broken. The Moyers were suburban parents like us who were blind-sided by their son’s choices. William Moyers tells his story in a way in which we begin to understand that addiction is cunning, baffling and powerful. A physician friend thanked me for giving him this read because he felt it helped him “get it.” People’s stories tend to do that. I give away many copies of this book.…

Author: Ruth Bell Graham

For encouragement, empathy and comfort there are a variety of poems, stories and reflections about loving a prodigal. Read about great spiritual leaders who were once prodigals. Yes, this is Billy Graham’s wife and yes they had prodigals.…

Authors: Andrew T. Wainwright and Robert Poznanovich

Professional interventionists with plenty of life experience, these two gentlemen know what they’re talking about.  This is an outstanding book if someone you love is taking your family hostage. Even better to read before someone you love takes your family hostage. Written with directness and humor (I know, is this subject funny? But they pull it off.)…

Author: Cheri Fuller

Encouragement, direction and companionship with other mothers like you. Lots of honesty found here.…

Author: Heather Kopp

For those of us who have decided that getting sober means accepting Jesus which then equals problem solved, Kopp’s story of alcoholism starts with her as a Christian writer. She parallels her struggle with that of her own son’s. She has a great blog called, Sober Boots. When you read her book you’ll understand that blog name.…

Author: David Sheff

Sheff, who wrote Beautiful Boy, has gone on to advocate for recovery and the removal of the stigma attached to addiction. I’m disappointed with Sheff’s somewhat negative assessment of Alcoholics Anonymous, but he accurately names AA as a spiritual program which some reject. Besides that, this has helpful information on addiction.…

Author: Sarah H. Nielsen

You are not alone. Parents everywhere suffer in quiet desperation not knowing where to find help for their child or themselves when they are convinced something is very wrong.  “Maybe this book will help your peripheral vision to see that God Himself is walking that path next to you, in front of you, behind you, with His hand on your shoulder saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” From the introduction of Just Keep Going.…

Author: David Sheff

Difficult, heart-rending reading to better understand drug addiction’s path and the helplessness a parent feels with a child using drugs.…