The LifeRing Approach to Addiction Recovery.

274 Pages·2010·1.22 MB·English

by  Martin Nicolaus

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“A sophisticated, insightful, well-documented view of the philosophy and practice that
I M A R T I N N I C O L A U S
are at the heart of the LifeRing approach. This book offers a perspective on recovery C
that can motivate change in clinicians and researchers as well as among individuals O
struggling to fi nd their sober selves.” L Cofounder and C.E.O. of LifeRing Secular Recovery
—CARLO DICLEMENTE, Ph.D., professor and chair, Department of Psychology, A
University of Maryland, Baltimore, and author, Addiction and Change U
S
“With impressive analytical clarity and therapeutic generosity, Nicolaus presents a well-
argued brief for understanding the complexities of addiction treatment and accepting
the full range of diverse paths to recovery. . . . [Anyone] wanting insight and balance on E
a vitally important public health issue will appreciate the author’s lively and respectful M
presentation.” E M P O W E R I N G
—JUDITH HERMAN, M.D., author, Trauma and Recovery P
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“In the words of our president, ‘it’s time for a change,’ and nowhere is this more evident
than in the fi eld of addiction treatment. Nicolaus has written a wonderful book that W
presents LifeRing, a new model for self-help groups. A model based on empathy,
scientifi c evidence, and giving people the power to make their own choices about E
treatment options. Indeed, change has come.” Your
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—JOSEPH R. VOLPICELLI, M.D., Ph.D., executive director, Institute of Addiction
Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and coauthor, Recovery Options: The Complete I
Guide N
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“Powerful, engaging, and scientifi c. Marty Nicolaus shows that the sober self emerges by

focusing on a person’s strength, intelligence, supportive relationships, and the ability Y
to ask, ‘what works?’”
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—CHARLOTTE SOPHIA KASL, author, Many Roads, One Journey: Moving Beyond
the 12 Steps u
Sober Self
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“Finally, a respectful approach to persons caught in addiction. Nicolaus has given us

another option in the heroic battle people fi ght to regain the wholeness that addiction S
compromises.”
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—THE REV. LINDA MERCADANTE, Ph.D., Straker Professor of Historical
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Theology, The Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and author, Victims and Sinners
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MARTIN NICOLAUSis the cofounder and
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C.E.O. of LifeRing Secular Recovery. He is an attorney in
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private practice who lives in Berkeley, California.
ADDICTION AND RECOVERY l
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More Praise for
Empowering Your Sober Self
“We badly need more roads to recovery. Nicolaus’s book details one such road:
positive, empathetic, down to earth —and a great read.”
—Lonny Shavelson, M.D., author, Hooked
“Offers a sensible and doable discipline for anyone serious about getting free
of drugs and alcohol, regardless of personal beliefs.”
—Doug Althauser, M.Ed., L.C.D.C.-II, M.A.C., C.R.C., author,
You Can Free Yourself from Alcohol and Drugs
“I could not put it down. The book is engaging, touching, and at the same
time quite informative—a must-read for the addict and nonaddict alike.”
—Asma Asyyed, M.D., Berkeley, California
“An excellent tool for recovery, particularly for those put off by the concepts
of ‘powerlessness’ and ‘higher power.’ ”
—Ralph Cantor, coordinator, Drug Prevention at the
Alameda County Offi ce of Education, Hayward, California
“The book chronicles the emergence of LifeRing—a promising alternative to
AA but without powerlessness, insanity, the supernatural, and other elements
of AA that have deterred millions from participating in self-help groups. . . .
Masterfully done.”
—William Cloud, Ph.D., M.S.W., professor, Graduate School
of Social Work, University of Denver, Colorado
“In a fi eld where most treatment is driven by myth, politics, and ideological
dogma, Nicolaus’s book is a breath of fresh air. It is well written, contempo-
rary, research based, and client centered; it will without a doubt help people
fi nd recovery who would otherwise become lost.”
—Dr. B. J. Davis, clinical director, Strategies for Change,
Sacramento, California
“Using the best thinking and best science, Empowering Your Sober Self exam-
ines what works and what doesn’t and provides new hope and new solutions
for anyone who craves a sober life but can’t make a go of it in the 12-step
world. The book is well written to boot, full of smart prose, great good humor,
sparkling analogies, and fascinating nuggets of history and science.”
—Matt Dean, LifeRing convenor, Charleston, South Carolina
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“ ‘Reducing the addict self by itself has no effect unless the sober self grows
and fi lls the gap.’ Martin Nicolaus’s new book, a compilation of stories and
principles to assist recovery, fi lls the gap for those who wish to avoid 12-step
programs and the mythos of disempowerment.”
—David A. Kaiser, Ph.D., editor, Journal of Neurotherapy
“Provides a compelling analysis of the philosophy of LifeRing and how it
compares to Alcoholics Anonymous. Readers will learn a great deal about
the implications of the disease concept of alcoholism (to the alcohol indus-
try, to coverage for treatment, and to the social stigma of addiction), of pow-
erlessness (versus a healthy respect for addiction), and of the genetics of
addiction.”
—Lee Ann Kaskutas, Ph.D., senior scientist,
Alcohol Research Group, Emeryville, California
“Reinforces the view that the brain’s reward systems are usurped by drug
addiction and is a strong argument for linking mechanisms of recovery with
the concept that addiction is a disease of the brain.”
—George F. Koob, Ph.D., The Scripps Research Institute,
La Jolla, California
“An excellent, well-written work, appropriate for all audiences—treat-
ment providers, clients, as well as the general public. Its uniqueness con-
sists in the fact that it presents an alternative to many other treatment
approaches to substance abuse. Especially valuable is its explication of
the nonreligious, neutral approach that is so sorely lacking in the fi eld
of substance abuse treatment, research, and prevention. An excellent and
interesting read.”
—John Langrod, Ph.D., A.C.S.W., A.P.A. chair, Governing Board,
South Bronx Mental Health Council, Inc., Bronx, New York
“Many people in recovery who are searching for an alternative to the disease
model of addiction and the 12-Step program will fi nd the LifeRing approach
to be an interesting path to follow.”
—G. Alan Marlatt, Ph.D., director, Addictive Behaviors Research Center,
University of Washington, Seattle
“Finally an author who understands that an individual’s success in recovery
starts with the option of choice. There is no wrong way to sobriety, just one
that is wrong for me.”
—Garry Mehlhorn, Ontario, Canada (sober three years)
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“Introduces a new, rational approach to addiction recovery, grounded in
secularity and informed by modern science. The LifeRing program mobilizes
the power of caring and connection to liberate the sober self that lives inside
everyone who struggles with addiction.”
—Tom Moon, M.F.T., columnist, San Francisco Bay Times
“Truly groundbreaking. A must-read for addiction professionals, people suf-
fering from addictions, and their loved ones.”
—Lorraine Robinson, L.S.W., executive director, Ka Hale Ho’ala Hou No
Na Wahine (The Home of Reawakening for Women), Honolulu, Hawaii
“Vital reading for anyone engaged in addiction treatment and recovery.
I have no doubt that it will be celebrated as an i mportant resource for pro-
fessionals and individuals who truly wish to explore innovative self-manage-
ment recovery options.”
—Madalynn C. Rucker, executive director, ONTRACK Program Resources,
California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs,
technical assistance and training contractor
“ ‘It doesn’t matter whether it is a black cat or a white cat. As long as it can
catch mice, it is a good cat.’ This is the statement and philosophy of Deng
Xiaoping, the de facto leader of China in the 1980s and early 1990s, and the
architect of the economic explosion that has converted it into the power-
house that it remains today. ‘Different strokes for different folks’ is a terser
statement of the same pragmatic approach. My institution has had the good
fortune to have both 12-step meetings and LifeRing meetings taking place
each week within its walls, as long-term supports for addicted patients who
had undergone detoxifi cation and/or outpatient therapy here. Some addicts
gravitate to one program, some to the other, and some to both. But the pres-
ence of LifeRing meetings in our halls has been nothing but helpful and gets
repeated high marks from those who attend. Its emphasis on ‘cross-talk’ gives
valuable feedback to participants, many of whom struggle with opening up
to others. I hope that it becomes more widespread, as it is popular among our
patients, many of whom ‘keep on coming.’ Martin Nicolaus, one of LifeRing’s
founding members, has written a lucid explanation of its approach, philoso-
phy, and what it has meant to him and to others. I believe this book will
be very helpful to both treating professionals and to many who continue to
struggle with addictions. No one approach has all the answers, but this book
certainly has many of them.”
—George Ubogy, M.D., medical director, Addiction Recovery Center,
Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Connecticut
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EMPOWERING
Your
Sober Self
The LifeRing Approach to Addiction Recovery
Martin Nicolaus
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Copyright © 2009 Martin Nicolaus. All rights reserved.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Nicolaus, Martin, date.
Empowering your sober self : the LifeRing approach to addiction recovery / Martin
Nicolaus.—1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-470-37229-6 (pbk.)
1. Addicts—Rehabilitation. 2. Self-help techniques. 3. Substance abuse—
Treatment. I. Title.
HV4998.N53 2009
616.86—dc22
2008046957
Printed in the United States of America
first edition
PB Printing 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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To Fred and Jack
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