Arresting Destruction

Far too little is known about alcoholism
and recovery from it. Binge drinking and a myriad other
related alcohol problems are rampant. While a few of us know
the differences between alcoholism and alcohol abuse, we
have all seen the harmful effects of alcoholism and alcohol
abuse. Beyond the damage they do to themselves, heavy
drinkers adversely affect their families, friends and work
colleagues. The demands on social and health care services
are seriously underestimated. Martin Noel-Buxton is himself
an alcoholic in recovery. Reflecting on his own experience,
he addresses the processes of change that can bring about
recovery and points to a new quality of life in recovery.
Martin discusses the vital differences between alcohol abuse
and alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous and its notion of
spirituality, and considers the effectiveness of talk
therapies and other approaches to recovery. The book
illustrates how the individual alcoholic recovers from
alcoholism and explores the experience of those who become
alcoholic and who then find recovery. It covers treatment,
relapse and what works in bringing about and supporting
recovery. The author explains that recovery is far more than
just stopping drinking and he describes the complex
processes of living life beyond uncontrollable alcohol
dependency. The book will prove invaluable reading for
individuals faced with confronting alcohol problems, their
friends and relations, their work colleagues, health care
professionals and those responsible for service provision
and policy development. It will be helpful to those
interested in addiction issues and in alcoholism in particular.