Sue’s sense of humour and zest for life are reflected in her narration. The 13th Step is not about the predatory thirteenth step experienced by some in twelve-step programmes. In this book, Sue helps those who are ready to grasp life firmly and make the changes necessary to live fully. She writes with honesty and integrity about her life experiences and subsequent personal development to create change. She shares all the tools she used to transform her own life, hoping it may be of help to others.

If you or someone you love is a successful member of a recovery program, you can see how much you've benefited from the twelve-step process. But what does the future hold? Is it possible that the group itself is holding you back from functioning independently in the outside world? Have you ever wondered when you could "graduate" from your dependence on the group's help in managing your problems? In 25 years of private practice, Dr. Tina Tessina has helped numerous clients complete the work they began in their twelve-step program. Never before has such a coherent, complete outline of the basic tools been presented to help people involved with twelve-step programs create permanent, lasting recovery from the patterns of dependency that often lie embedded in the subconscious mind. Book jacket.

A guide and collection of readings for young people involved in a twelve-step recovery program for an addiction. Includes personal accounts of former drinkers and drug users.

Tina Tessina Ph.D. is a psychotherapist specializing in recovery and addition. Her controversial, breakthrough book offers evidence that in many cases true recovery from addiction should end in graduation from addiction programs into a life of autonomy, self-reliance and independence. "The premise of this intelligently written title is bound to cause some controversy. Recommended for popular psychology, self-help and recovery collections" - The Library Journal. "Offers strategies that can help people struggling with addictions develop the skills and abilities they need to make clear, effective choices about their own lives - with or without the continuing support of a formal recovery group." - Yoga Journal "A therapist's prescription for avoiding addiction to a recovery group." - New Age Journal "Hope of freedom, self-confidence and completion to people in self-help or 12-step recovery programs who have been told they will never be fully recovered." - American Bookseller "A manual for those in self-help programs" - Publisher's Weekly Despite the millions who've found relief from addictive and compulsive habits through 12-step programs, these same programs' insistence that members always keep coming back unwittingly fosters attitudes that can undermine the foundations of a successful, healthy life. The Real 13th Step refutes the bedrock recovery principle that some people are just born with addictive personalities. Instead, therapist Tina Tessina identifies the underlying cause of addiction as learned dependency, and teaches readers how to develop the three central skills of true independence: risk-taking, problem-solving, and coping with failure. Her book then offers practical advice about applying these principles in every aspect of life: relationships, work, decision-making, and managing the continuing temptations of addiction. Readers will learn how they can take control of their own lives and remain free of the fear of relapse or setback in their recovery. If you are a successful member of a recovery program and feel you've benefited enormously from it, but are also beginning to sense that your progress toward functioning independently in the outside world may be hindered by the program itself, then the time has come for you to Read The Real 13th Step and graduate from your dependence on the group's help. The last recovery book you will ever need. This is the paddle you don't want to be up the creek without"- Don Fultz, recovery expert "The Real Thirteenth Step contains a wealth of astonishingly practical information. Very few therapists can provide better tools for personal growth" -San Francisco Bay Guardian "A well written, important book that provides an invaluable corrective to the dependency orientation of the recovery movement. It lucidly points the way to the next step: the cultivation of independence and personal autonomy. Imperative reading for every graduate of the twelve-steps." -Nathaniel Brandon, PhD, Psychologist and author of Honoring the Self Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D. , is a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in southern California since 1978, and the author of 13 books in 17 languages. In her private practice, she counsels both individuals and couples. She is a Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association, a Certified Domestic Violence Counselor, and a Certified MFT Training Therapist. She writes the syndicated "Dr. Romance" blog, and the "Happiness Tips from Tina" email newsletter. Dr. Tessina is CRO (Chief Romance Officer) for LoveForever.com, Online, she's known as Dr. Romance, and Therapist Tina. She is a YourTango.com expert. She has written for and been quoted by Glamour, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, WebMD.com, TimeOnline.com and many other national publications.Special introductory price $12.99; regular price $15.99

A Gentle Path through the Twelve Steps Updated and Expanded

The Essence of Twelve Step Recovery: Take It to Heart, was written in gratitude to the Jellinek patients at Hazelden, whose lives, struggles and pain are witness to what spirituality is all about. Dedicated to Sandy McElrath, Damian's wife of 26 years, the book defines spirituality and the essence of Twelve Step living--and the essence of Hazelden.McElrath begins his Hazelden-published book with a quote from the Big Book: "The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it." (Alcoholics Anonymous, page 83). He goes on to eloquently provide his view of spiritual fitness. "The person seeking recovery must reconnect with his true self, with others, and with his Higher Power--the God of his understanding," he writes.He addresses "the spiritual protocols of recovery" in separate self-contained chapters: (1) The Community, (2) The Spirituality of Addiction, (3) The Twelve Steps--Relational Spirituality, (4) Benchmarks for Spiritual Growth, and (5) The Cultivation of the Interior Life.Gail Gleason Milgram, EdD, director of the Center for Alcohol Studies at Rutgers University, endorses the book: "Damian is a born teacher. He presents complicated and difficult content in a clear and concise fashion. He helps the reader understand that 'the heart of what makes us human/spiritual beings is our search for integrity, purpose and meaning.' This book is a gift to all who are in search of the meaning of life."Says Craig Nakken, author of The Addictive Personality: "Damian has written a simple but profound guide for addicts that goes to the very heart of what is needed for recovery. The book has purpose and meaning beyond its pages. It's a must read for those looking to embrace or deepen their recovery. Follow the spiritual protocol!"

The 13th Step is a personal journey in recovery from substance abuse, specifically alcohol. It is an apology for Twelve Steps, why it works, and how it was crucial to the author's recovery. It is the sharing of an epiphany that revealed Life is a Question and Love is the answer. The author submits that twelve steps work because they are the embodiment of Love. The Love that is described First Corinthians Chapter 13, in the New Testament of the Bible. The work provides an instruction section on how to use Twelve Steps correctly to achieve sobriety, and live it daily.

This workbook is designed specifically to help you find your way through the 12 steps of recovery in a timely, purposeful and productive manner. This guide is based on a personal story of recovery from a hopeless and helpless condition of mind, body and spirit made possible, solely, wholly and totally by the conscientious personal application of the 12 steps of recovery as detailed in the first 164 pages of the "Big Book" of Alcoholics Anonymous that today extends over a period of almost four decades of sobriety.The 12 steps is not only a proven recovery plan for alcoholics but has proven to be equally effective in addressing the needs of those suffering the affects of any other addiction, as well as those suffering from many forms of depression. Still further, these steps can be a useful tool for those looking for help in addressing persistent negative feelings such as low self worth, inadequacy and even incompleteness. In fact, anyone seeking escape from the excruciating pain resulting from a hopeless and helpless state of mind, body and spirit regardless of the causes or circumstances can find help here.The purpose of this guide is to help you identify clearly and unequivocally what your personal problem(s) really is (you may be surprised with you come to find out); and then to ask yourself at least some of the essential questions necessary to lead you towards recovery and healing in a timely fashion as you work your through this process that otherwise can appear to be over whelming and impossible.There are as many accounts of recovery as there are recovering alcoholics. In our case, we claim to have neither discovered anything new ourselves nor have we figured out anything about recovery on our own. We tell you only what we have seen and heard and learned from others through the course of our ongoing journey. We see ourselves only as the messenger. The practice of recovery demands that we make every effort to share our experience, strength and hope to all who may be interested.The gift of recovery can only be maintained if we continue to give it away. Please come and join us the broad highway to a happy, healthy and productive life. You are worth it.

The worlds of psychotherapy and addiction recovery have long been uneasy bedfellows.