Alcoholism has become a powerful belief system. When you take on the identity of an alcoholic, not only do you have to address your physical habit to drink, but you've also got to navigate whom you're supposed to be, how you should think, and what your behavior will be. Our culture makes a one-size-fits-all assumption in which, if you mention a struggle with alcohol, no matter how much of a struggle it is, you're labeled alcoholic and start moving along the recovery conveyor belt. Teresa Rodden is out to change that! The ...
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Alcoholism has become a powerful belief system. When you take on the identity of an alcoholic, not only do you have to address your physical habit to drink, but you've also got to navigate whom you're supposed to be, how you should think, and what your behavior will be. Our culture makes a one-size-fits-all assumption in which, if you mention a struggle with alcohol, no matter how much of a struggle it is, you're labeled alcoholic and start moving along the recovery conveyor belt. Teresa Rodden is out to change that! The Primed Drinker explores the often-overlooked middle ground between social and alcoholic drinking. Through Rodden's personal experience, case studies, and exploration of the science that disrupts the common understanding of alcoholism (addiction), she raises powerful questions about how to change your relationship with alcohol and offers promising solutions. "Judge, 27th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards." Determination of what constitutes being an alcoholic and needing recovery is an issue discussed by the author in a very provocative and thoughtful manner. Indicating that there are differences to be considered, she voices exception to society's tendency to lump all excessive drinkers into the same group suffering from addiction and needing recovery. One point covered are two categories of drinkers: "normies" who are social drinkers who may not see they have a problem, and "alkies" who can't control their drinking. Fascinating case stories heighten the scope of her analysis. Chapters encompass incisive commentary on social drinking and alcoholism, and how "priming works" by citing the difference between misusing alcohol and alcoholism, our recovery-ready culture, and the neuroscience of addiction. A key chapter discusses why struggling with alcohol doesn't make you an alcoholic and why AA isn't for everyone. Questions asked and answered include if alcoholism is a disease, how it's diagnosed, and what specifically is sobriety and recovery. There are valuable tips on how to cope with drinking at any level and practical exercises to undertake. The first-person writing is candid and helpful in understanding one's drives and utilizing coping methods. Good chapter breaks aid in fluid reading. "Rodden's message is revolutionary: the time has come for women to start rethinking their drinking so they can start loving their lives. Exploring the continuum of choices from abstinence to mindful moderation to misuse, she gives readers a step-by-step approach to carve a new path in life, free of struggles with alcohol." Laura Crawshaw, Ph.D., BCC, Founder of The Executive Insight Development Group, Inc.& The Boss Whispering Institute "The Primed Drinker drives home how sobriety is much more than simply not drinking or participating in addictive behavior. Through Teresa's artfully shared examples of her own journey to contentment through "not wanting to miss another second of life," she speaks to the true essence of sobriety. She has identified what often drives problem drinking in women: when we feel powerless and trapped in our obligations and multiple roles. Teresa provides an exciting alternative approach to addiction recovery, through fully and mindfully embracing our core life force from Spirit and our power to choose. By focusing on creating our passion-filled lives, we no longer have the need to numb out." Mimi Cogswell, LPC, PCMental Health Therapist "The Primed Drinker has absolutely nailed the complex neuroscience and contemporary research in a most compelling and accessible way. Anyone who reads this book cannot fail to leave it without an engaged mind and rethink their own vocabulary around alcohol. What a significant contribution." Louise BakerAward Winning HypnotherapistCertified Havening Practitioner
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