Review by Kajori50 -- Ripcord Recovery by T.T. Sawyer
5 posts
[Following is a volunteer review of "Ripcord Recovery" by T.T. Sawyer.]
I believe addictive behavior is a part of human nature. When we become accustomed to something, we make it our habit. This habit becomes an addiction when it overpowers us. It is then up to us to control our uncontrollable urge. Whether we accept it or not, we all are dependent on something or the other. I admit that I am addicted to reading. I cannot live a single day without reading something or the other. Similarly, people are also addicted to films. Apart from us bibliophiles or cinephiles, there are people who are dependent on alcohol or drugs. In today's fast-paced world, people look for a reprieve in different avenues. Many of them take up smoking or drinking. Some even abuse substances. People think that they can get rid of this habit whenever they wish. However, this illusion is truly broken when they try to stop. It is only then that they realize that they have become addicts. Alcoholic Anonymous and other programs are designed to help those who wish to overcome their addiction. However, getting rid of an addiction is not always easy. More often than not, people relapse.
In Ripcord Recovery, T.T. Sawyer outlines a last resort for people afflicted with addiction. He believes that it is “not about how long anyone has been sober, it’s about being happily sober today.”
Though T.T. Sawyer is the pseudonym of the author, his story is true. After twenty-two years of sobriety, Sawyer once again relapses. He decides to seek help when his wife catches him smoking pot and threatens to leave him. He soon finds out that rehabilitation is not an easy process. It is much more tough now that he is older. After one year of rehab, he still finds coping to be difficult. He does everything by the book. He decides that something has to change. His research brings him across cannabis aka medical marijuana. When he believes that it was only a matter of time before he relapsed, he turned to medical marijuana.
Many consider, marijuana to be a drug as it is a mind-altering substance. However, it was nothing short of a medicine for the author. While using cannabis, Sawyer developed his own guidelines. For him, less was more.
I like the way T.T. Sawyer takes the plunge and narrates his story. It truly takes courage to come out and reveal one's addiction to the world. Sawyer wanted to give a message to fellow alcoholics and addicts. He wanted them to know that all is not lost. There is still a way. He presents medical marijuana as a last resort for recovering alcoholics. The way he puts forward his guidelines about the use of cannabis is admirable. I have to mention that the author very clearly states that cannabis is still not legal in a plethora of states. In fact, many still consider it to be a drug. By exalting its virtues, the author does not shy away to mention these dark aspects of medical marijuana. I liked this about the book.
There is another aspect that I found to be endearing. The doodles were very apt and to the point. The author called it ‘Dad's Doodles'. The drawings made the book much more fun and engaging.
I did find a handful of errors. However, there were only a few errors that did not detract from my reading experience.
Keeping in mind the pros and cons, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It is a great book for addicts intent on recovering. I believe that this treatise is like a ray of hope for recovering alcoholics.
******
Ripcord Recovery
View: on Bookshelves |
I believe addictive behavior is a part of human nature. When we become accustomed to something, we make it our habit. This habit becomes an addiction when it overpowers us. It is then up to us to control our uncontrollable urge. Whether we accept it or not, we all are dependent on something or the other. I admit that I am addicted to reading. I cannot live a single day without reading something or the other. Similarly, people are also addicted to films. Apart from us bibliophiles or cinephiles, there are people who are dependent on alcohol or drugs. In today's fast-paced world, people look for a reprieve in different avenues. Many of them take up smoking or drinking. Some even abuse substances. People think that they can get rid of this habit whenever they wish. However, this illusion is truly broken when they try to stop. It is only then that they realize that they have become addicts. Alcoholic Anonymous and other programs are designed to help those who wish to overcome their addiction. However, getting rid of an addiction is not always easy. More often than not, people relapse.
In Ripcord Recovery, T.T. Sawyer outlines a last resort for people afflicted with addiction. He believes that it is “not about how long anyone has been sober, it’s about being happily sober today.”
Though T.T. Sawyer is the pseudonym of the author, his story is true. After twenty-two years of sobriety, Sawyer once again relapses. He decides to seek help when his wife catches him smoking pot and threatens to leave him. He soon finds out that rehabilitation is not an easy process. It is much more tough now that he is older. After one year of rehab, he still finds coping to be difficult. He does everything by the book. He decides that something has to change. His research brings him across cannabis aka medical marijuana. When he believes that it was only a matter of time before he relapsed, he turned to medical marijuana.
Many consider, marijuana to be a drug as it is a mind-altering substance. However, it was nothing short of a medicine for the author. While using cannabis, Sawyer developed his own guidelines. For him, less was more.
I like the way T.T. Sawyer takes the plunge and narrates his story. It truly takes courage to come out and reveal one's addiction to the world. Sawyer wanted to give a message to fellow alcoholics and addicts. He wanted them to know that all is not lost. There is still a way. He presents medical marijuana as a last resort for recovering alcoholics. The way he puts forward his guidelines about the use of cannabis is admirable. I have to mention that the author very clearly states that cannabis is still not legal in a plethora of states. In fact, many still consider it to be a drug. By exalting its virtues, the author does not shy away to mention these dark aspects of medical marijuana. I liked this about the book.
There is another aspect that I found to be endearing. The doodles were very apt and to the point. The author called it ‘Dad's Doodles'. The drawings made the book much more fun and engaging.
I did find a handful of errors. However, there were only a few errors that did not detract from my reading experience.
Keeping in mind the pros and cons, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. It is a great book for addicts intent on recovering. I believe that this treatise is like a ray of hope for recovering alcoholics.
******
Ripcord Recovery
View: on Bookshelves |
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