Hold on to Hope: Suggestions for LDS Codependents

I found this book to be an outstanding resource for learning how to deal with a relative who is an addict. It explains the emotional effects of addiction and shows how family members become "co-dependents" and harm themselves in their reaction to the addict's behavior. It then explains the most effective ways to deal with the problem from an LDS perspective. It is written in a very clear and coherent style and is extremely readable. The many personal stories and examples were extremely valuable. Each chapter explains a principle supported with scriptures and statements from General Authorities, gives examples from personal stories, lists specific steps to apply the principle and then follows up with a concise summary of the chapter. Besides learning how to deal with my addict brother and help my co-dependent parents, I found the book, especially the chapters on love, to be a very valuable resource for me to improve my relationship with my own wife and children.

Very helpful to distinguish between applying the Christ-like love found in the story of the Good Samaritan OR the Christ-like love found in the story of the Prodigal Son. I probably got more out of it than the other reviewer because I attended a class by Dr. Rick which helped fill in some gaps.

Helpful suggestion and thoughts. Specific tactics and options to try. Important help and good basis for family discussion. Examples and stories help to replace feelings of isolation and despair with feelings of hope and encouragement. In the end not a total solution. Spiritual principles of prayer, meditation, fasting, endurance and showing love are still required.