The author visited the archives of the headquarters of A.A. in New York, and discovered new communications between Carl Jung and Bill Wilson. For the first time this correspondence shows Jung's respect for A.A. and in turn, its influence on him. In particular, this research shows how Bill Wilson was encouraged by Jung's writings to promote the spiritual aspect of recovery as opposed to the conventional medical model which has failed so abysmally. The book overturns the long-held belief that Jung distrusted groups. Indeed, influenced by A.A.'s success, Jung gave "complete and detailed instructions" on how the A.A. group format could be developed further and used by "general neurotics".Wilson was an advocate of treating some alcoholics with LSD in order to deflate the ego and induce a spiritual experience. The author explains how alcoholism can be diagnosed and understood by professionals and the lay person; by examining the detailed case histories of Jung, the author gives graphic examples of its psychological and behavioural manifestations.

Humans are biologically programmed to seek out pleasurable experiences. These experiences are processed in the mesolimbic system, also referred to as the "reward center" of the brain, where a number of chemical messengers work in concert to provide a net release of dopamine in the Nucleus Accumbens. In some genetically predisposed individuals, addiction occurs when the mechanisms of the mesolimbic system are disrupted by the use of various drugs of abuse. Since Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935, it's 12 step program of spiritual and character development has helped countless alcoholics and drug addicts curb their self-destructive behaviors. However, the program was developed at a time when comparatively little was known about the function of the brain and it has never been studied scientifically. This is the first book to take a systematic look at the molecular neurobiology associated with each of the 12 steps and to review the significant body of addiction research literature that is pertinent to the program.​

Modern 12 Step Recovery is a user-friendly, secular guide to the 12 Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). This book includes updated Steps, information from science and psychology, and a working guide to the 12 Step program that makes the program welcoming to people of all ages and beliefs. This "modernization" was achieved without making any fundamental changes to the AA program. Modern 12 Step Recovery is 100% compatible with pursuing a program of recovery within the traditional AA mutual support network. This includes AA meetings, sponsor relationships, and other activities. The information in this book is also relevant to people in recovery from co-dependency (Al-Anon) and other 12 Step-based programs.

A 75th anniversary e-book version of the most important and practical self-help book ever written, Alcoholics Anonymous. Here is a special deluxe edition of a book that has changed millions of lives and launched the modern recovery movement: Alcoholics Anonymous. This edition not only reproduces the original 1939 text of Alcoholics Anonymous, but as a special bonus features the complete 1941 Saturday Evening Post article “Alcoholics Anonymous” by journalist Jack Alexander, which, at the time, did as much as the book itself to introduce millions of seekers to AA’s program. Alcoholics Anonymous has touched and transformed myriad lives, and finally appears in a volume that honors its posterity and impact.

An inclusive, research-based guide to working the 12 steps: a trauma-informed approach for clinicians, sponsors, and those in recovery. Step 1: You admit that you're powerless over your addiction. Now what? 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) have helped countless people on the path to recovery. But many still feel that 12-step programs aren't for them: that the spiritual emphasis is too narrow, the modality too old-school, the setting too triggering, or the space too exclusive. Some struggle with an addict label that can eclipse the histories, traumas, and experiences that feed into addiction, or dismisses the effects of adverse experiences like trauma in the first place. Advances in addiction medicine, trauma, neuropsychiatry, social theory, and overall strides in inclusivity need to be integrated into modern-day 12-step programs to reflect the latest research and what it means to live with an addiction today. Dr. Jamie Marich, an addiction and trauma clinician in recovery herself, builds necessary bridges between the 12-step's core foundations and up-to-date developments in trauma-informed care. Foregrounding the intersections of addiction, trauma, identity, and systems of oppression, Marich's approach treats the whole person--not just the addiction--to foster healing, transformation, and growth. Written for clinicians, therapists, sponsors, and those in recovery, Marich provides an extensive toolkit of trauma-informed skills that: Explains how trauma impacts addiction, recovery, and relapse Celebrates communities who may feel excluded from the program, like atheists, agnostics, and LGBTQ+ folks Welcomes outside help from the fields of trauma, dissociation, mindfulness, and addiction research Explains the differences between being trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive; and Discusses spiritual abuse as a legitimate form of trauma that can profoundly impede spirituality-based approaches to healing.

The worlds of psychotherapy and addiction recovery have long been uneasy bedfellows.

How does a homeless, once employed chef, living in his car become a Doctor of Psychology and Licensed Therapist? By going to AA instead of driving his car off an oceanfront cliff. This book offers an insight into how the 12 step process and societal fellowship combine to provide an individual with many of the benefits that psycho-therapeutic procedures administered by psychologists and mental health clinics do as well. This book was written with the purpose of bridging the gap between psychology and the 12 steps in the hope of increasing treatment success. It was written for therapists who are not substance abusers or in recovery in the hope that it may provide insight into the mind of the alcoholic/addict, while providing a useable lexicon. This book is written for any and all who may have an interest in the world of substance abuse treatment, psycho-therapy, and a few of the other 12 step programs.