Alcoholism is quite a broad theme or topic that leaves room for discussion. Whether it be about the alcoholics’ struggles or their families’ struggles, there are always books available for readers to get inspiration from.
Between Breaths: A Memoir of Panic and Addiction
When we think of alcoholism, it’s often relatively easy to associate it with the struggling working class. After all, alcohol dependency is closely related to stress, depression, and coping. It’s easy to assume that rich, successful people are part of the safer few that can avoid addiction. With money, better healthcare opportunities, and success by their side, perhaps there are lesser reasons for them to end up abusing alcohol.
But Elizabeth Vargas, a former anchor, proves this wrong. In her book, Between Breaths, she intimately detailed her struggles with anxiety and alcoholism. She narrated how she lived in denial, keeping her addiction secret – further making things harder for her.
This book is significant for anyone going through the same matter as it tackles the importance of reaching out for help and not feeling ashamed of doing so.
My Alcoholic, My Love
Most of the books about alcoholism focus on alcoholics and their struggles. These books fail to discuss the struggles of the people around them. With this, we rarely see the perspectives written by the affected family.
However, this book by Margaret Moschak explores just that. Her memoir accounts how her family dealt with her alcoholic husband. It narrates how the situation didn’t only affect her well-being but also her children’s. She also stated how she struggled with her husband’s shortcomings as a partner and his anxiety, rage, and toxicity. However, once Margaret realized what was happening, she chose to detach from her husband – this becoming the turning point in her life.
My Alcoholic, My Love emphasizes the dangers of enabling alcoholics’ behavior by staying with them despite their tendencies. Her story’s main takeaway is that those affected by an alcoholic’s behavior should learn to stand up and leave when deemed necessary.
Codependent No More
This book is a compilation of personal reflections, instructive life stories, self-tests, and exercises revolving around alcoholism. Author Melody Beattie takes on the matter of alcoholism by discussing codependency – the notion of losing oneself in the process of helping another.
This book emphasizes that the primary victim or the alcoholic’s recovery isn’t the people’s responsibility. Most of the time, there is an unnoticeable pressure on the alcoholic’s companions to help them with recovery. However, this shouldn’t be the case. While it’s good, they encourage and support the change, whether the victim pulls through or not is already beyond their accountability.
We Are the Luckiest
A bit different from the previous books, Laura McKowen recounts her journey moving past her struggles with alcohol dependency. We are the Luckiest is Laura’s story throughout her sobriety. While sober, her jealousy towards people who had the freedom to drink was prominent. Focusing on her mental strain, she recounts feeling envious towards causal drinkers while she struggles to stay sober.
However, later on, she realizes that she is the lucky one. Lucky because she gets to return to her pre-dependency behavior. She gets to be with her daughter and feel her feelings instead of numb.
This book is considered cathartic to alcoholics and their support system as it honestly presents what these victims are missing in their lives. Additionally, the book tackles the struggles alcoholics face while trying to be sober. The process of sobriety isn’t any different; if not, it might even be harder.
Indeed, without support, saving oneself from addiction can be difficult. It pays to have someone or something readily available for you to reach out to whenever you’re struggling. When it comes to coping mechanisms, as much as a professional discussion, reading about any book about alcoholics is also a form of help sufficient enough.