What is The Addiction Recovery Workbook about?
The Addiction Recovery Workbook is a guided workbook for people who want practical help staying in recovery and reducing relapse risk. It focuses on understanding addiction, building coping skills, and creating daily habits that support long-term sobriety.
Who wrote The Addiction Recovery Workbook?
The book was written by Paula A. Freedman, PsyD. She is identified in the book as a clinical psychologist who specializes in anxiety disorders, addiction, and eating disorders.
What problem does this workbook help with?
It helps people manage addiction recovery and prevent relapse in everyday life. The workbook focuses on cravings, triggers, stress, trauma, difficult emotions, relationships, and high-risk situations.
Does this book only help with alcohol and drug addiction?
No. It is intended for alcohol and drug addiction, but the book also says people struggling with other addictive behaviors, such as gambling, exercising, or video games, can benefit from its tools.
How does The Addiction Recovery Workbook approach relapse?
It treats relapse as a normal part of the recovery process, not as proof of failure. The workbook emphasizes learning from lapses, practicing self-forgiveness, and getting back on track.
What methods are used in The Addiction Recovery Workbook?
The workbook draws from evidence-based approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and motivational interviewing. It also includes practical relapse-prevention and self-reflection exercises.
Is The Addiction Recovery Workbook a workbook with exercises or more of a regular guide?
It is a true workbook with written exercises throughout. Readers are guided to reflect on triggers, coping strategies, thoughts, emotions, relationships, values, and relapse-prevention plans.
Do you need to use this workbook in order, or can you skip around?
The book is intended to be used in order from beginning to end. At the same time, it also says you can skip sections that do not feel relevant or return to especially useful exercises more than once.
Can this workbook be used on your own?
Yes. The book says it is designed to be used on your own, or alongside therapy, treatment, or a 12-step program.
Can The Addiction Recovery Workbook be used with therapy or a 12-step program?
Yes. The workbook specifically says it can be used with therapy, inpatient or outpatient treatment, or a 12-step program.
What topics does the workbook cover besides cravings and relapse?
It covers addiction and recovery basics, chronic stress, trauma, thoughts, emotions, relationships, high-risk situations, lifestyle change, and values-based living. It also includes resources for support groups, hotlines, apps, and finding professional help.
Does the book talk about trauma and stress in recovery?
Yes. A full section explains how everyday stress, traumatic stress, and toxic stress can affect addiction and relapse, and it offers coping tools and guidance for seeking trauma-informed support.
Will this workbook help with coping skills for urges and triggers?
Yes. It teaches practical coping skills such as grounding, distraction, mindfulness, urge surfing, opposite action, coping cards, and planning for high-risk situations.
Is The Addiction Recovery Workbook beginner-friendly?
Yes. The workbook explains concepts step by step and includes guided prompts, examples, and structured exercises. It is written to help readers apply the tools in everyday life, even if they are early in recovery.
Who is this workbook best for?
It is best for adults who want a structured, hands-on approach to recovery and relapse prevention. It may be especially useful for readers who want to understand the deeper factors behind addiction, not just stop a behavior in the moment.
If I want practical relapse-prevention tools instead of just theory, will this book help?
Yes. The book combines explanation with action-oriented exercises, coping strategies, and personalized planning tools you can use in daily life.
