4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Ripcord Recovery by T.T. Sawyer is a powerful story of recovery and how addiction changes our lives. T.T. Sawyer recounts their personal struggle with addiction, the 20 years of sobriety, and then their relapse. Knowing that getting sober is hard work, Sawyer set out to find what worked best for them and discovered that it might be a different definition of sobriety. Most folks that struggle with addiction get to a point where they have two choices, get sober or die.
T.T. Sawyer is a pen name for the author as their choices around recovery are not the most popular in the addiction and recovery world. Sawyer chooses to utilize cannabis in their recovery process because it has been known to help with anxiety, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. It’s important to note that Sawyer talks about the legality of cannabis and that they purchase it in Colorado where it is legal to do so. Sawyer has worked with a doctor, their sponsor, and a close friend who monitors use and make sure it is purely for medicinal purposes.
What I liked the most about this book is how honest the author was about their addiction, and how hard the journey of recovery is. This book was incredibly raw and open in ways that most people are not willing to talk about. It was powerful to learn how easy it was for someone who had been sober for more than 20 years could so easily relapse and how the cravings for a drink were still there and so strong. Every few pages there were cute little drawings of Sawyer and the choices they were thinking about.
What I disliked most about this book was how short it is, only 76 pages long, I wanted more! The author shared how cannabis has helped them recover and I understand that they want to avoid giving medical advice or advice on how to purchase a substance that is still criminalized in most places, but I wished for just a bit more.
Overall I think this was an excellent book and it would be helpful for anyone that is or knows an addict. I would argue that we all know at least one person that struggles or has struggled with one addiction or another. This book gives so much insight into the thought process around addiction and the lack of resources available to help folks get and stay sober. I think it might be a hard book to read if you have lost a loved one to this disease.
I give Ripcord Recovery 4 out of 4 stars. It tackles a very hard subject with honesty, open-mindedness, and in a non-judgemental tone. If more folks were able to be honest with their needs, get additional support, and confide in their peers the way Sawyer was able to, I feel that more people would be able to be sober long-term. There was only one instance of profane language and no sexual content.
******
Ripcord Recovery
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
