10 Incredible Books on Sobriety That Helped Me Quit For Good

Substance Abuse is a complex and pervasive issue that affects countless individuals and Alcoholics Anonymous families. The 20 best books about substance abuse offer valuable insights, personal stories, and practical strategies for understanding and addressing this challenging issue. Whether you are struggling with addiction yourself, supporting a loved one, or seeking to learn more about the topic, these books provide a wealth of information and inspiration.

Inspiring Recovery Quotes

• The Recovering, when it operates as a memoir, is equally lucent; the reader is ferried into the perils of addiction by a nimble, stylish narrator.
• She’s focusing on her schoolwork and is on track to finish high school at the top of her class.
• Though not a list of tips or scientific analysis, Blake E. Cohen’s book reminds you that you are not alone in this difficult situation.

Subtitled “Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget,” Hepola’s debut memoir is a vulnerable story about refocusing her attention from finding her next drink to learning how to love herself without liquid enhancements. Over the past several decades, books falling under the umbrella of «addiction memoir» have become omnipresent. Whether you’re well-versed in the subject or totally new to it, here are nine of the smartest and most moving examples.

Lifechanging Books on Addiction & Recovery

The following are a smattering of the books about alcoholism I’ve found meaningful. Reading these books about alcoholism (memoirs, nonfiction, and fiction) and recommending them to you is part of my personal therapy. As you read, reflect on the complexities of relationships portrayed in these memoirs. They often encourage you to engage in self-reflection and examine your own interactions within your faith community. By focusing on community and relationships, you’ll find memoirs that not only inspire you but also uplift your spirit, reinforcing the significance of connection in your own life.

“Blackout” by Sarah Hepola

Most are forgettable and forgotten, but some accomplished authors—like Caroline Knapp and Sarah Hepola—have created very good books by bringing real skill to the standard formula. In this curated list, you’ll find a mix of compelling memoirs from people who’ve lived through addiction and recovery, and evidence-based works that break down the neuroscience, psychology, and social factors behind it. From the raw honesty of personal downfall to the clarity of clinical research, these 14 books illuminate addiction from every angle. I’ve spent the last seven years researching and understanding alcoholism, addiction, and how people get sober. Additionally, I examine the way mental and physical health as well as our relationships with others impact the reasons people drink and their role in maintaining sobriety long-term. Look for memoirs that address themes of addiction and recovery, as many authors share how their rekindled relationship with God guided them through personal struggles.

The Murderers: The Shocking Story of the Narcotic Gangs

Having been in recovery for many years, and working here at Shatterproof, I often get asked to recommend books about addiction. So here’s a list of my all-time favorite reads about substance use disorders. The second major problem for anyone writing an addiction memoir—and it’s often connected to the first—is how to conclude it.

When I first read this book over ten years ago it felt like I was reading my own journal (if my journal was written in incredibly eloquent prose). I almost wanted to snap it shut, but instead finished it in one day and have read it at least three more times since. Knapp so perfectly describes the emotional landscape of addiction, and as a literary study it’s as perfect a memoir as I’ve ever read. I often think about what it took to publish this when she did, in the 90’s, as a female and a journalist in Boston. Having said that, I did—while reading Ditlevsen’s Dependency—occasionally need to put the book down and take a few deep breaths. Even the second time around I found it so viscerally powerful that at times I was overwhelmed.

Haldol and Hyacinths: A Bipolar Life by Melody Moezzi

The journey through addiction to recovery is a deeply personal experience, with no two people going though the same process to reach sobriety. Recovery is a tumultuous process, and recovering individuals often benefit from learning about the experiences others have undergone in their quest to live substance-free. There are countless books that have been written about addiction and recovery. The following list recounts 10 of the most notable books on this subject.

• Untamed by Glennon Doyle is a memoir that chronicles the author’s journey to find her true self.
• As she grapples with her demons and confronts the harsh realities of her addiction, she finds solace in the untamed landscapes of the Orkneys, finding a sense of belonging and renewal in the rugged beauty of the islands.
• You would not treat other diseases the same way you treat a substance use disorder.

The concept of grace in suffering frequently emerges, and you’ll see how faith provides strength and reassurance during life’s most challenging moments. While community support and forgiveness are essential themes, the focus here is on how individuals cultivate hope and resilience through divine assistance. Additionally, memoirs showcasing personal growth through community service, such as «Beautiful on the Mountain,» encourage you to reflect on your role within your community and your relationship with faith. Additionally, explore stories that foster a sense of community and connection. Jeannie Light’s experiences in a mountain community highlight how faith can inspire collective growth, best memoirs about addiction reinforcing the idea that you’re not alone on your journey. The book Emmy’s Question, written by Jeanine Auth, is about Emmy wanting an answer to why her mom chose alcohol over her.

Hemingway’s Books and Records

Quit lit books and addiction memoirs are powerful ways to connect with other people who have been exactly where you are. You can learn more about addiction and relate to authors through their stories, reminding yourself that you aren’t alone in your journey. In this post, we’ve put together nine of the best addiction memoirs and quit lit books for you to check out. From painfully honest stories to science-based tips, there’s a title on this list that’s sure to inspire and motivate you or someone in your life.

• It was designed to support your path toward lasting wellness and freedom from addiction.
• But despite that success, Stahl’s heroin habit began to consume him, derailing his career and destroying his health until one final, intense crisis inspired him to get clean.
• If this book resonates with you, be sure to check out Grace’s podcast of the same name, This Naked Mind, where she and guests continue to dissect alcohol’s grasp on our lives and culture.
• Recovery-related books, AKA ‘quit lit,’ can be great for seeing how others have navigated similar experiences, gaining tips that can help you along your journey, and learning more about the science behind substance use.

The Recovering’s insistence on the need for a different sort of addiction story is a tad unfair. Books diverging from the genre’s hallmarks are already easy to find. Sarah Hepola’s Blackout, while adhering to many narrative beats, also includes lengthy reporting about the science of blackouts.

Blackout reveals how sobriety helped her discover the confidence, intimacy, and creativity within her—all of which she previously thought could only be found at the bottom of a bottle. If you’ve found yourself questioning whether or not someone you love is an addict, then this book is a must-read. In this heartbreaking memoir, George McGovern — the 1972 Democratic Presidential nominee — shares the painful and tragic story of his daughter’s fatal fight with alcoholism.