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The Best Books About Addiction for Loved Ones of Addicts

As a drug detox center in Illinois, we know that addiction affects more than just the person using.

Often, their friends and family members get dragged along for the ride. This leaves many loved ones of addicts feeling like they are fighting an uphill battle by themselves, but they are not alone.

Good Books about Addiction for Family & Friends of an Addict

Having a loved one who is an addict is a challenge. Although they may be the one abusing drugs, their addiction is also negatively impacting your life and hurting your relationship with them. You are probably feeling a mix of emotions and are unsure of where to turn. Fortunately, there are many resources out there that may help including books about addiction for loved ones of addicts.

Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction by Maia Szalavitz

This book takes a detached and scientific view of addiction for what it is- a disease. One of the more informative books for families of drug addicts, Unbroken Brain, talks about addiction as a learned disorder and examines how several factors can contribute to both the development of addiction as well as the recovery. For loved ones who are struggling to look at addiction as something beyond a few bad choices, this book can be eye-opening and offer a better explanation of what their loved one is going through.

I Love You, More: Short Stories of Addiction, Recovery, and Loss from the Family's Perspective by Blake E. Cohen

I Love You, More is a collection of fictitious tales about addiction told from a family member’s point of view. Each story is unique and touches on different aspects of addiction. For loved ones of addicts, this book can remind them that they are not alone and also help them to learn from the characters’ mistakes as they navigate similar situations in their own lives.

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie

This is an especially good book for parents of drug addicts as well as spouses who take care of their addicted love one. What many friends and family members do not realize is that their behavior could be making their loved one’s addiction worse. Focusing on codependency and enabling, this book may open your eyes to your own unhealthy codependent relationships as well as how your actions have negatively impacted you loved one’s addiction. Not only will this book help you recognize these issues, but also it offers a guide to help you help yourself heal.

Everything Changes: Help for Families of Newly Recovering Addicts by Beverly Conyers

When a loved one is going through a rehab program, many family members and friends struggle to know what to do. One of many books about drug addiction recovery, Everything Changes, focuses on the family’s part in addiction recovery. It gives advice on navigating this challenging time so that not only can the recovering addict get the support they need, but everyone can move forward.rt to reflect on them and how they are impacting your mood. Try talking them out with someone you trust or journal if you are not as comfortable opening up. 

Addict in the House: A No-Nonsense Family Guide Through Addiction and Recovery by Robin Barnett

This book about living with an addict focuses on helping family members through the trials and tribulations of addiction and recovery. It offers straightforward advice on everything from stopping enabling to coping with relapses. Barnett draws on her own personal experience dealing with her brother’s addiction problems but offers a tough love approach to help families learn to do what is best for both themselves and their loved one.

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All of these books about addiction for loved ones of addicts offer insight into substance abuse as well as guidance on the families’ roles during addiction and recovery. If your loved one is an addict, there is hope. At our residential rehab in Illinois, we help both addicts and their loved ones overcome this disease and move forward together.


To get your loved one help or to learn more about our programs at Banyan Heartland, call us today at 888-280-4763.

 

Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing
Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.