The Classic Guide for All People in the Process of Recovery

I've only read thru page 29 & already learned some enlightening things. I can see from looking thru the book that it is going to be a great tool to use while working the steps. The best I've seen yet.

Patrick Carnes has been a grounder-breaker in every sense concerning sexual addiction. I feel ambivalent about this offering, however. I think on the whole it's a stronger book for addicts than for codependents. The material seems to revolve around addiction with co-addiction serving as an afterthought, both figuratively and literally. As a recovering codependent, I yearn for materials that address my issues head-on instead of relating me to the addicts in my life. Something about this material makes me feel second-class and doesn't inspire me to go as deeply as I could.

Although it's on order and I can't review it yet, I suggest that codependents take a look at Pia Mellody's 12 step workbook, Breaking Free, as an alternative. Her Facing Codependence contains some extraordinarily muscular, clear-sighted work on codependence as an illness that stands on its own, and if the workbook has anything in common, it should prove useful.

The book is entitled the Gentle Path, it is anything but.
It is an excellent book for those in 12Step programs who
who difficult time getting to the "meat" of their feelings
It is not for the faint of heart though and I do not
I say do not recommend it to anyone without using a
sponser/therapist to guilde you thru.

Many people have trouble trying to figure out ,just what certain steps mean. This book helps to clearly identify what they mean in a way everyone can understand. I found it to be very helpful and would highly recommend it to someone new in a 12-step program.

Amazing companion to any 12 step program. This book brings the depth of experience of many recovering from addiction to help work the steps well. It will heal wounded hearts and broken minds. It is helping me to be a better sponser as well.

For anyone who wants a more thorough journey through the steps than the initial process usually provides, this book (a work-book, really) will certainly prompt many new ideas and areas of exploration. I don't know that it would be useful for newcomers, since it is quite intense, but those further down the road of recovery will find it useful indeed.

I am using this book in combination with Codependents Anonymous meetings. I also attend a few Al-anon meetings and plan to check out Adult Children of Alcoholics. All three address many of the symptoms I am facing. This book has been extremely helpful and applies to any 12 step work! I tried step 1 and 2 with the Coda workbook and did not get much out of it. One of the leaders at a Coda meeting was using this book and said his therapist had recommended it. This book has been very thorough and eye-opening! Lots of questions to help you look at the dysfunction in your family and how you developed your view of the world and coping skills/addictions. Lots of exercises to help you become more self-aware. Exactly what I was looking for and more! I have completed step 1-3 and starting step 4. It is a lot of work, but I have been amazed at the results so far. Highly recommend if you are ready for a change.

The book itself was in great shape upon arrival, quite unblemished with no writing or highlighting inside, as was advertised. However, the book had a huge hot pink sticker across the spine from front to back that could not be peeled off. That fact was not listed in the book description, which is not proper.

This step working guide is a must have for anyone in recovery. I'm not sure why it says the gentle way because if a person is working the steps correctly there isn't a gentle way, but it does remind us to take that well deserved break and treat ourselves with kindness. I have worked the steps before but this is very in depth and I felt like I was truly getting through the wreckage to forge through for a new way of life.

This book is an excellent resource for guiding someone through the twelve step process or for working the twelve steps as part of an individual recovery program. Each step requests detailed information which encourages the participant to dig deep into ones core beliefs, thoughts, and feelings as they pertain to themselves and the subject matter. I would recommend this book to anyone contemplating or interested in the 12-step process of recovery.

This book is truly a must have, inspiring, comprehensive, and enlightening guide through the 12 steps within any recovery program. I have used this with countless clients in therapy and have had nothing but great results. This book is highly recommended for all clinicians and anybody wising to grow in the 12 step process.

Thirty Days to Hope & Freedom provides the recovery structure needed to turn hopeless situations into successful recovery stories. The 30 chapters provide tools for dealing with issues like sexual triggers, intrusive thoughts, pre-planning and developing a personal recovery plan. This complete guide is a must for anyone beginning a recovery journey from sexual addiction.

Enie Bourland, Therapist MA, LMFT, LPC Houston TX

The book is very helpful. The only concern that I have is that it tends to reiterate the need for a sponsor. Although a sponsor is greatly helpful in going through the steps...I wouldn't want anyone to quit doing the work just because they haven't had the courage to get one yet.