3 out of 4 stars
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A Hole In My Road: A Personal and Professional Journey of Recovery is a non-fiction book by Bob S., CDP, which details the author’s battle with alcoholism and reveals what he has learned about chemical dependency and how to overcome it. After sharing the painful story of his son’s death as a result of drugs, Bob briefly discusses his own life growing up as an overlooked middle child who quickly learned to bury his emotions. It was only a matter of time before alcohol experimentation began, and subsequently ballooned into a problem that would lead to two failed marriages. From there, Bob wastes no time getting to the heart of the subject of chemical dependency.
At just over two hundred pages, this book packs a punch into its relatively short narrative. Bob discusses the four main areas of life, as he sees them: health, financial, social, and spiritual, and demonstrates the role alcohol/drug use plays in these areas. He provides information for optimizing health and personal fulfillment, which is a foundation for getting and staying sober.
There are many reasons people become addicts and even more reasons why they refuse to get help; denial and selective memory are two major components. Bob provides a comprehensive list of the key ingredients necessary for a successful recovery, including a change in mindset, acceptance of the problem, social support from non-addicts, attending Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) meetings, and avoiding emotional triggers that often lead to relapse. A.A. is discussed in depth, and for anyone unsure what to expect at a meeting, the answer is revealed, right down to the 12 steps. From describing various drugs and their social stigma, to health consequences, Bob leaves no stone unturned. He concludes his book with testimonials of recovering users, each offering a ray of hope to someone in the throws of addiction.
This book has far-reaching benefits with its ability to humanize a very demonized topic. Many families suffer from the effects of alcohol or drug abuse, making the subject extremely relevant and relatable. The book is informative and concise while never giving the impression of condescension or finger-pointing. Its layout is easy to follow and its verbiage is simple, making it accessible to anyone. Bob ties in enough of his personal story to make the book feel as though I was conversing with a trusted friend. With a few photos, poetry, and affirming quotes, there is a feeling of personablity and authenticity seeped into the pages.
There was nothing I felt the book was lacking, with the exception of the editing; I had already found more than ten errors relatively early on in my reading. For the most part they were punctuation errors. I would recommend this book to anyone faced with a problem of addiction, whether it be a personal affliction or that of a loved one. The information contained in this book uses a constructive and unintimidating manner to shine light on a serious issue, and has earned a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. With another round of editing, I would gladly give it full marks.
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A Hole in my Road
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