Stage II Recovery: Life Beyond Addiction

I like the premise that getting out of my addiction is stage I; the rest of my life in recovery is at stage II. The real work begins in stage II.

I ordered a number of these books for a study group we are having with recovering people. For the past 26 years, I have read this book through around the time of my sobriety anniversary and find one thing that I need to work on during the year. After focusing on one thing a year, I have managed to get a very good handle on my life and am now thrilled to be able to share this wonderful took of recovery with my friends in the fellowship. This book is rather difficult if you are not interested in moving beyond "I'm not drinking today" into full-blown recovery. I have one person in the group who is 8 months sober and has jumped on board after several relapses and has had a true conversion experience and is an integral part of our study group, so this does work for newcomers. There are others in the group who have over 20 years, and one who has over 30 years of recovery and we are all getting super charged in our recovery through this book.

I was recommended this book by a counsellor while in a recovery program for substance abuse and general mental health. I've been sober in the past but it's never stuck for more than two years. This book really opened my eyes in terms of how to not just be sober and stay sober, but to enjoy sober life. Even if you're not an addict, anyone struggling with their mental health would benefit from this book. Very helpful. Please give it a try if you're looking to get sober and stay that way.

I think this review was well thought out and careful to guide the recovering person to higher goals toward truth and happiness. I love the natural ability the author shows to point toward rigourous change without a demanding tone. Instead, Earnie Larson uses terrific examples to show, first hand, what illusions we (in the recovery community) can be susceptible to and how to find our way out of them.I appreciate the vision and respect this book gives to our progression. But, the only trouble one may have is the book may be too idealistic without delving deeper into how our destructive habits (and issues of that nature) developed; a book like that would be much, much thicker. With the shame a person might finds themselves in, to say "stop doing that (being negative toward yourself)" doesn't cut it. Only a few times, this book may leave us short of that notion that a miracle (by God) is needed to break a negative cycle (that Spiritual means is the way out).

At 18 months of recover I was beginning to ask myself (fretfully) "Is this all there is to being sober?!" I was burning out on meetings, sick of the tedium and the platitudes, actually bored with "working the program". Then along came Larsen's book and within a few pages the light went on in my clearing (not yet cleared) brain that not drinking doesn't equal being sober; it just means I no longer take the elixer that makes me not care about being an ass. I'm still an ass, a non-boozing one."Stage II Recovery" is a road map for continuing the journey, which by the way isn't an easy ride. I'm still trudging and at times laboriously ~ in a healthy direction. Maybe someday I'll be sober AND happy; maybe not, but I will have given it my best shot.

Earnie Larsen is one of the nation's experts on addiction and recovery, and he always includes relationships in the context of recovery. He gives many seminars, has written several books, and has many educational videos available as well. I would encourage anyone reading this to read/see anything Earnie does, because your recovery efforts will improve dramatically. For more info, check out Earnie's website: earniedotcomHis style is easy to understand and to apply in your personal life; he also has a sense of humor which makes the learning fun. This makes a great recovery gift to someone you know who is struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction.HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This is the best book. I have 26 years of recovery and read this book every year before my anniversary to find one thing to work on for the year. I have now started a stage II recovery informal get together weekly with a number of newcomers and a sponsee and we meet weekly at a coffee shop to talk about our lives and read and discuss a few paragraphs as we go through this great book.

I gave to my daughter while she was in 34 day rehab n she actually read first 15 pages n loved it. She's been busy with tv n meetings since she's been out n hasnt continued the book yet I have it on the table in her sight.

Really thought provoking and nicely balanced for moving from 'Stage 1' to 'Stage 2' recovery. If you've broken the back of the addiction, or know someone who has, and want to think about what's next for you read this book. Definitely recommended.

Not as informative as one might hope, it's ok rather dated and over priced.

Brilliant. Really helpful for those who have been in recovery for some time. Very useful.

An essential read if you are in recovery!

Very good