Overview

Millions of alcoholics and addicts recover through spirituality. In The Soul of Recovery: Uncovering the Spiritual Dimension in the Treatment of Addictions, author and journalist Christopher D. Ringwald tells how and why they seek and achieve these transformations. Ranging as far back as the Washingtonian Total Abstinence Society in 1840, Ringwald illuminates the use of spirituality within a wide range of treatment options--from the famous Twelve Step-style programs to those tailored to the needs of addicted women, Native Americans, or homeless teens not ready to quit. Focusing on the results rather than the validity of beliefs espoused by these programs, he demonstrates how addicts recover through practices such as self-examination, meditation, prayer and reliance on a self-defined higher power. But the most compelling evidence of spirituality's importance comes from those directly involved in the process. Ringwald traveled across the country to visit dozens of programs and interview hundreds of addicts, alcoholics, counselors, family members, doctors and scientists. Many share moving stories of suffering, survival, and redemption. A homeless man, a surgeon, a college student, a working mother-each describes the descent into addiction and how spirituality offered a practical, personal means to recovery. Ringwald also examines the controversies surrounding faith-based treatment and the recovery movement, from the conflict between science and spirituality, to skepticism about the ""new age"" brand of spirituality these programs encourage, to constitutional issues over court-mandated participation in allegedly religious treatment programs. Combining in-depth research with powerful personal accounts, this fascinating exploration of spirituality will provide a fuller understanding of the nature of addiction and how people overcome it.

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9780195147681

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Reviews

An impressive, straightforward synthesis of diverse and controversial issues. --Library Journal An encouraging, well-researched book on an important topic. --Publishers Weekly A sober and well-documented look at some of the unquestioned claims of the burgeoning recovery movement. What makes 'The Soul of Recovery' stand out from the pack is the way Ringwald approaches the recovery movement as a journalist, not as an evangelist or protagonist. He understands the power of spirituality in treating substance abuse, yet still asks some hard questions. --San Francisco Chronicle Ringwald's book is a paradigm shifter, his clear presentation, and extraordinary research can't help but have the reader thinking outside the box. If anyone is questioning the role that faith plays in the life of an addict this book is for you. --Counselor Magazine An articulate and extremely well-reported exploration of how nurturing spiritual beliefs can help addicts recover. As such, The Soul to Recovery is a much-needed and welcome antidote to the prevailing medical paradigm that chalks up troubled human behavior to 'abnormal brain chemistry, ' amenable to a pharmaceutical solution. Ringwald shows that the paths to addiction are many, and that the most successful treatment programs are those that help heal the mind and soul. --Robert Whitaker, author of Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill The unqualified best among recent 'recovery' books. Eminently readable. --Ernest Kurtz, Historian The Soul of Recovery captures beautifully the role of spirituality in the treatment and recovery of people with addictions. Not only is it immensely informative, but the writing style is captivating, passionate and powerful. --Harold G. Koenig, co-author of the Handbook of Religion and Health An impressive, straightforward synthesis of diverse and controversial issues. --Library Journal An encouraging, well-researched book on an important topic. --Publishers Weekly A sober and well-documented look at some of the unquestioned claims of the burgeoning recovery movement. What makes 'The Soul of Recovery' stand out from the pack is the way Ringwald approaches the recovery movement as a journalist, not as an evangelist or protagonist. He understands the power of spirituality in treating substance abuse, yet still asks some hard questions. --San Francisco Chronicle Ringwald's book is a paradigm shifter, his clear presentation, and extraordinary research can't help but have the reader thinking outside the box. If anyone is questioning the role that faith plays in the life of an addict this book is for you. --Counselor Magazine An articulate and extremely well-reported exploration of how nurturing spiritual beliefs can help addicts recover. As such, The Soul to Recovery is a much-needed and welcome antidote to the prevailing medical paradigm that chalks up troubled human behavior to 'abnormal brain chemistry, ' amenable to a pharmaceutical solution. Ringwald shows that the paths to addiction are many, and that the most successful treatment programs are those that help heal the mind and soul. --Robert Whitaker, author of Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill The unqualified best among recent 'recovery' books. Eminently readable. --Ernest Kurtz, Historian The Soul of Recovery captures beautifully the role of spirituality in the treatment and recovery of people with addictions. Not only is itimmensely informative, but the writing style is captivating, passionate and powerful. --Harold G. Koenig, co-author of the Handbook of Religion and Health An impressive, straightforward synthesis of diverse and controversial issues. --Library Journal An encouraging, well-researched book on an important topic. --Publishers Weekly A sober and well-documented look at some of the unquestioned claims of the burgeoning recovery movement. What makes 'The Soul of Recovery' stand out from the pack is the way Ringwald approaches the recovery movement as a journalist, not as an evangelist or protagonist. He understands the power of spirituality in treating substance abuse, yet still asks some hard questions. --San Francisco Chronicle Ringwald's book is a paradigm shifter, his clear presentation, and extraordinary research can't help but have the reader thinking outside the box. If anyone is questioning the role that faith plays in the life of an addict this book is for you. --Counselor Magazine An articulate and extremely well-reported exploration of how nurturing spiritual beliefs can help addicts recover. As such, The Soul to Recovery is a much-needed and welcome antidote to the prevailing medical paradigm that chalks up troubled human behavior to 'abnormal brain chemistry, ' amenable to a pharmaceutical solution. Ringwald shows that the paths to addiction are many, and that the most successful treatment programs are those that help heal the mind and soul. --Robert Whitaker, author of Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill The unqualified best among recent 'recovery' books. Eminently readable. --Ernest Kurtz, Historian The Soul of Recovery captures beautifully the role of spirituality in the treatment andrecovery of people with addictions. Not only is it immensely informative, but the writing style is captivating, passionate and powerful. --Harold G. Koenig, co-author of the Handbook of Religion and Health An impressive, straightforward synthesis of diverse and controversial issues. --Library Journal An encouraging, well-researched book on an important topic. --Publishers Weekly A sober and well-documented look at some of the unquestioned claims of the burgeoning recovery movement. What makes 'The Soul of Recovery' stand out from the pack is the way Ringwald approaches the recovery movement as a journalist, not as an evangelist or protagonist. He understands the power ofspirituality in treating substance abuse, yet still asks some hard questions. --San Francisco Chronicle Ringwald's book is a paradigm shifter, his clear presentation, and extraordinary research can't help but have the reader thinking outside the box. If anyone is questioning the role that faith plays in the life of an addict this book is for you. --Counselor Magazine An articulate and extremely well-reported exploration of how nurturing spiritual beliefs can help addicts recover. As such, The Soul to Recovery is a much-needed and welcome antidote to the prevailing medical paradigm that chalks up troubled human behavior to 'abnormal brain chemistry, ' amenable toa pharmaceutical solution. Ringwald shows that the paths to addiction are many, and that the most successful treatment programs are those that help heal the mind and soul. --Robert Whitaker, author of Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill The unqualified best among recent 'recovery' books. Eminently readable. --Ernest Kurtz, Historian The Soul of Recovery captures beautifully the role of spirituality in the treatment and recovery of people with addictions. Not only is itimmensely informative, but the writing style is captivating, passionate and powerful. --Harold G. Koenig, co-author of the Handbook of Religion and Health

<br> An impressive, straightforward synthesis of diverse and controversial issues. --Library Journal<br> An encouraging, well-researched book on an important topic. --Publishers Weekly<br> A sober and well-documented look at some of the unquestioned claims of the burgeoning recovery movement. What makes 'The Soul of Recovery' stand out from the pack is the way Ringwald approaches the recovery movement as a journalist, not as an evangelist or protagonist. He understands the power of spirituality in treating substance abuse, yet still asks some hard questions. --San Francisco Chronicle<br> Ringwald's book is a paradigm shifter, his clear presentation, and extraordinary research can't help but have the reader thinking outside the box. If anyone is questioning the role that faith plays in the life of an addict this book is for you. --Counselor Magazine<br> An articulate and extremely well-reported exploration of how nurturing spiritual beliefs can help addicts recover. As such, The Soul

An impressive, straightforward synthesis of diverse and controversial issues. --Library Journal<br> An encouraging, well-researched book on an important topic. --Publishers Weekly<br> A sober and well-documented look at some of the unquestioned claims of the burgeoning recovery movement. What makes 'The Soul of Recovery' stand out from the pack is the way Ringwald approaches the recovery movement as a journalist, not as an evangelist or protagonist. He understands the power of spirituality in treating substance abuse, yet still asks some hard questions. --San Francisco Chronicle<br> Ringwald's book is a paradigm shifter, his clear presentation, and extraordinary research can't help but have the reader thinking outside the box. If anyone is questioning the role that faith plays in the life of an addict this book is for you. --Counselor Magazine<br> An articulate and extremely well-reported exploration of how nurturing spiritual beliefs can help addicts recover. As such, The Soul to Recovery is a much-needed and welcome antidote to the prevailing medical paradigm that chalks up troubled human behavior to 'abnormal brain chemistry, ' amenable to a pharmaceutical solution. Ringwald shows that the paths to addiction are many, and that the most successful treatment programs are those that help heal the mind and soul. --Robert Whitaker, author of Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill<br> The unqualified best among recent 'recovery' books. Eminently readable. --Ernest Kurtz, Historian<br> The Soul of Recovery captures beautifully the role of spirituality in the treatment and recovery of people with addictions. Not only is itimmensely informative, but the writing style is captivating, passionate and powerful. --Harold G. Koenig, co-author of the Handbook of Religion and Health<br>

Author Information

Christopher D. Ringwald is a journalist who has written on mental health, religion, books, law and social policy for The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Commonweal and Governing. He was named the 2002 Albany Author of the Year, won a first place award from the Catholic Press Association, and is author of Faith in Words. Ringwald directs the Faith & Society Project at The Sage Colleges in Albany, N.Y., and is a senior writer at Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. He may be reached via email at ringwc@sage.edu or by phone at (518) 292-1727

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