Love Without Martinis: How Couples Build Healthy Relationships in Recovery, Based on Real Stories

Jauvin (The Boy with a Bamboo Heart) collects in this uplifting outing stories of couples who have successfully recovered from alcohol abuse together. She first outlines the ASCENT approach—assess readiness to change, structure time, create community, engage in life, nurture spirituality, and treasure partnership—meant to help couples in which one or both partners are in recovery build a healthy relationship. The opening story of a composite couple juxtaposes the perspectives of one person’s fight with addiction and that of their partner. For instance, the addict “believes everything is under control” and is dominated by impulse, while the partner is unable to “see the storm gathering strength” and performs “a juggling act” of understanding the problem but refusing to make changes. In another story, career-oriented David turns to drinking to ease pains in his back and hands, and his wife, Leslie, misses the signs of alcoholism and becomes racked with trust issues. Only inpatient treatment, years of therapy, and constant attention save the relationship. In another, recovering addicts Luke and Nadia meet online, but as their relationship progresses, Luke’s relapse puts starting a family in jeopardy. Unfortunately, the stories are related in a distant and one-note voice, which strips them of any emotionality and makes for monotonous reading. Those looking more for a program than engaging narratives might find some helpful ideas here. (Apr.)