Stage II Recovery: Life Beyond Addiction

Earnie Larsen is one of the nation's experts on addiction and recovery, and he always includes relationships in the context of recovery. He gives many seminars, has written several books, and has many educational videos available as well. I would encourage anyone reading this to read/see anything Earnie does, because your recovery efforts will improve dramatically. For more info, check out Earnie's website: earniedotcom His style is easy to understand and to apply in your personal life; he also has a sense of humor which makes the learning fun. This makes a great recovery gift to someone you know who is struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

I think this review was well thought out and careful to guide the recovering person to higher goals toward truth and happiness. I love the natural ability the author shows to point toward rigourous change without a demanding tone. Instead, Earnie Larson uses terrific examples to show, first hand, what illusions we (in the recovery community) can be susceptible to and how to find our way out of them. I appreciate the vision and respect this book gives to our progression. But, the only trouble one may have is the book may be too idealistic without delving deeper into how our destructive habits (and issues of that nature) developed; a book like that would be much, much thicker. With the shame a person might finds themselves in, to say "stop doing that (being negative toward yourself)" doesn't cut it. Only a few times, this book may leave us short of that notion that a miracle (by God) is needed to break a negative cycle (that Spiritual means is the way out).

This book was not critical in my efforts to get sober, however with out it I could never have become as happy as I am today. I suggest that all people in recovery read it. This book first opened my eyes to the possibility that I could define recovery for myself, I did not have to rely on someone else's definition. I aimed for the sky, after being miserable most of my life I defined recovery as waking up happy every morning. Now I Do! This was just a beginning I continue to use this idea to change my life.

Stage II Recovery has guided me through the past eight years of my recovery. It was very important for me to be able to understand and define recovery and my particular goals. Each year, on my anniversary, I re-read this book and come up with ONE THING to work on during the year. I use the book as a way to review my progress and to keep me on line with my recovery goals. I have found that this simple, easy to read book has provided me with the guidance I need to not only maintain my sobriety but to learn to experience a full life worth living.