From autobiographies of recovering individuals to self-help guides and inspiring novels about addiction, books are incredible resources during recovery. Books about addiction and recovery are full of inspiration, encouragement, relatable stories, humor and helpful coping skills to help you grow and navigate each challenge with confidence.
The Best Addiction and Recovery Books
Books are excellent tools for inspiring, motivating and entertaining yourself during your recovery journey. Here are some of the most helpful books to read during recovery.
‘Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions’
“Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions” is one of the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program’s basic texts. It clarifies the program’s Twelve Steps and principles. It’s an excellent recovery tool that can be combined with the AA 12-Step Workbook and Alcoholics Anonymous: The Big Book.
‘Sober On A Drunk Planet: Stoic Sobriety’
“Sober On A Drunk Planet: Stoic Sobriety” by Sean Alexander is a daily meditation book to help you build strength and resilience to maintain sobriety. This collection of tools and meditations can help you face life’s challenges through stoicism and emotional sobriety, building a strong mind and body to live a more fulfilled, purposeful life without alcohol.
‘Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir’
In “Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir,” Matthew Perry details his decades-long experience with drugs and alcohol. Perry’s role on the sitcom “Friends” draws many fans to this book, but his humor, honesty and inspirational path to sobriety make it a must-read for anyone experiencing addiction. If you’re looking for books written by authors recovering from addiction and a fan of ’90s pop culture, this book is an excellent read.
‘The Mountain Is You’
“The Mountain Is You” by Brianna Wiest is a self-help book about why we self-sabotage, how to stop self-sabotaging and how to step into our potential. This motivational work can help you learn about damaging habits, release past trauma and overcome your biggest challenges.
‘A Thousand Wasted Sundays’
“A Thousand Wasted Sundays” by Victoria Vanstone approaches the heavy topic of addiction with a light touch, taking you through the author’s experiences in partying, navigating motherhood and starting a new sober life. This funny, heartwarming and honest memoir about overcoming alcohol addiction is an inspirational read for your addiction and recovery reading list.
‘The Tears That Taught Me’
“The Tears That Taught Me” by Morgan Richard Oliver is a prose and poetry collection about finding peace in our challenges and pain and accepting that each experience has a greater purpose. This is an excellent book to read while navigating grief and loss in your recovery journey.
‘Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life’
“Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life” by Craig Groeschel is a faith-based book about replacing negative thinking and self-doubt with peace, joy, prayer and praise. This inspirational nonfiction work is a fantastic option if you want to build a healthier perspective and renew your mind.
‘Long Walk Out of the Woods’
“Long Walk Out of the Woods” by Adam B. Hill, MD, is a harrowing story of recovery and a thoughtful new perspective on how we treat individuals in addiction recovery. As a palliative care physician and pediatric oncologist, Hill sheds light on the broken systems within the medical field and provides a road map for improved practices, fighting stigma and teaching vulnerability.
’12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery’
“12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery” by Allen Berger, Ph. D., delivers concise, direct advice on recognizing and overcoming the biggest obstacles to long-term sobriety. Learn how to develop healthier behaviors, make amends, seek help for relationship challenges and value growth over perfection.
‘Pomegranate’
“Pomegranate” by Helen Elaine Lee is a touching novel about a woman recovering from opioid addiction, adjusting to life outside of prison and regaining custody of her children while facing the challenges of her old life. This novel offers a complex portrayal of Black womanhood, marginalization and the devastating effects of addiction and incarceration, and it was long-listed for the 2024 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction.
‘Easy Does It Dating Guide: For People in Recovery’
“Easy Does It Dating Guide: For People in Recovery” by Mary Faulkner is a lighthearted, straightforward dating guide on how to seek and build healthy relationships in recovery. This helpful book can lead you through the complexities of dating and changing old relationship patterns as you step into a new, sober life.
‘Impossible People: A Completely Average Recovery Story’
“Impossible People: A Completely Average Recovery Story” is a graphic memoir by celebrated author and cartoonist Julia Wertz. This engrossing book takes you through Wertz’s challenges, humorous experiences, relapses and recovery in a graphic novel format to portray the inspiration of continuing recovery despite setbacks.
‘Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail’
“Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” by Cheryl Strayed is about the author’s inspiring solo trek on the Pacific Crest Trail. This story takes you through Strayed’s challenges, joys and lessons she gained on her inspirational solitary hike. From her mother’s death to her addiction and eventual recovery, Strayed’s story is a fantastic read for anyone pursuing their own healing and sobriety.
‘High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One Addict’s Double Life’
“High Achiever” by Tiffany Jenkins is an authentic, encouraging and page-turning memoir that reads like suspenseful fiction. From opioid addiction and felonies to an inspirational path to recovery, this story is a gripping account of Jenkins’s experiences and healing journey.
Why Trust Us for Recovery Support?
At Diamond House Detox, we treat each client like family and use a holistic approach to addiction treatment. From counseling and helpful book recommendations to medical support and group therapy, our experienced team helps you heal physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually through individualized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs. We offer residential and outpatient services, including Incidental Medical Services with expert in-house providers. This enables us to provide medically assisted detox, injections and medication adjustments as needed.
As a team of experienced medical providers, therapists and counselors, we help you recover in a loving, compassionate environment. After completing residential or outpatient treatment, Diamond House welcomes you to stay connected with a supportive community and continue attending on-site meetings through our Alumni program. Browse our client testimonials to learn more about how we can make a difference in your life.
Find Compassionate Recovery Resources at Diamond House Detox
Diamond House Detox offers experienced professionals, a compassionate environment and holistic resources to help you recover from substance use disorder. You have access to an Addiction Psychiatrist, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Medical Assistants, Nurses, a Marriage Family Therapist, and a Drug and Alcohol Counselor to help you heal and learn how to maintain sobriety. Call 800-205-6107 or contact us online to learn more about how we can support you on your recovery journey.
Â
Vicky is a board certified Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She began her nursing career in healthcare by working in the intensive care unit, and then an inpatient psychiatric hospital. After realizing the mental health needs of both the patients and the families she served, she became a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Throughout her experience working with clients, she has developed a passion for those with dual diagnoses and specializes in helping individuals recognize the issues driving their substance use. This recognition has been crucial to the individual’s success in treatment. Vicky opened Diamond House Detox so that she can address these issues early on in a therapeutic environment to allow clients to transition to the next level in their recovery.
