Taking Charge: How Families Can Climb Out of the Chaos of Addiction-- And Flourish

Psychologists Schlesinger and Horberg start from the premise that there is life after addiction. Written for families, addicts and cliniciansapparently in that orderthe accessible, upbeat if familiar handbook is comprised of a series of tables, checklists, case histories and practical exercises geared to help families make the ""journey'' to recovery, to end the pain that addiction causes and to survive and flourish, with orif necessarywithout the cooperation of the addict. Family members, the authors counsel, must learn to assume less responsibility for the addict's behavior because ``no one causes another person's addiction.'' By reducing its own stress, resuming normal routines and developing supportive relationships, the family strengthens itself to counter the damaging effects of addiction and to confront the addict, instead of allowing its resources to support and continue the habit. There is useful information on various treatment programs, how to choose a therapist or treatment center, how to pay and what to do if one is not satisfied. The appendixes detail various abused drugs and provide directories of self-help groups and public alcohol and drug organizations in the 50 states. Illustrations not seen by PW. (April)