Book Review: Alive! By Eileen P. DeClemente
This is a powerful book, and also a very sad one.
I run a Computer Lab, we offer free classes, and we offer free internet access. It is based in a large homeless shelter, probably the largest shelter in North America, we offer beds to over 1,100 people every night. Who are these people? Well some recent surveys show that approximately 1/3 are addicts, booze, drugs, or gambling. Another 1/3 suffer from some kind of mental health issue, and the vast majority of all of the people involved have some kind of anti social tendencies.
I was intrigued by Eileen DeClemente's book, it hit close to home. Yesterday, I had a client go into seizure in the lab, while it is not an everyday occurrence, it is not something that is rare. The first time I witnessed a seizure I was horrified. The brain short circuits, the victim literally freezes, crashes to the floor, and often twitches and convulses. It is not a pretty sight.
In Alive! A Courageous Story Of Addiction, True Love, and Forgiveness Eileen DeClemente tells her life story of addiction and recovery. It is not a pretty story. Eileen started with booze at the tender age of 11, as an adult she added prescription drugs, and street drugs. At one point her daily intake was in the region of 90 pills, a bottle vodka, and a couple of cases of beer.
The problem is, the more you do, the harder it is to get the high, and Eileen was the expert. The highs became less and less, in fact the highs went away, she needed to "use" just to maintain.
Eventually Eileen, as every addict does, crashed hard. One last seizure, one last abuse of her position as mother and wife, and one last realization that she had taken the wrong path.
Recovery is not easy, physical dependency creates physical and mental problems. We glibly refer to 'withdrawal symptoms,' they are not just symptoms, they are facts, they are a bone crushing reality.
It is estimated that 30% of people living in the US either are addicts, or know an addict. Alive! should be on every high schools reading curriculum, it reveals the story from the inside out.
Eileen was one of the lucky ones, at age 34 she woke up, but years of addiction have taken their toll. She is now 55 and diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and she freely admits that it is likely a result of her addictions.
This book is written from the heart, and includes letters from Eileen's two daughters and her pharmacist as well as facts about addiction and recovery ? for addicts and their families. Topics include: growing up in a dysfunctional home; coping mechanisms; making better choices; relationships, friendship, significant others and family dynamics; parenting, healing, forgiving and loving unconditionally; seeking help and not being afraid.
This is a book that I plan on recommending to my co-workers, and a book that I recommend everyone should read. You can get your own copy from Amazon, and you can also get more information from Eileen's web site.
Simon Barrett is an adult educator in Calgary, Alberta. With the 11 months a year of winter, he reads a lot of books! He is also a contributing editor for Blogger News and maintains a personal blog at Simon B.
Related Articles:
Free Book for Trade Show Novices and Experts Offered to Celebrate Website Redesign
Showstopper Exhibits is offering the book, 'The Trade Show Reader,' in conjunction with its brand-new website design, boasting new product releases and easier navigation for users.
Affirmative Action is the Villain in New Kids Book
New English/Spanish children's book features minority kids who want to learn? and a teacher who won't let them.
The Yoga Facelift Offers a Fountain of Youth in Book Form
Women and men alike can reclaim their face with The Yoga Facelift (Conari Press, April 2007), an exercise, energetics, and meditation program specifically designed by Marie-Veronique Nadeau for the most prominent feature of the body. We are inundated with exercise programs to tone abs, biceps, triceps, and insteps, but none to exercise and maintain the most hardworking set of muscles in our entire body, the face!
Book Review: Facing the Future Together ? Forming Successful School-Business Partnerships by Jim Leatherwood
This is a book that has been long overdue in being written
It is my opinion that the educational system is facing greater challenges today than it ever has before
Lethal Option - Book Review
"This has to be one of the best detective novels I have read
in some time – right up there with Lawrence Sanders! P.J.
New Book Reveals the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth about American Politics -- Which is More Than You Would Get if You Asked a Poli
Do politicians scare you? Do the decisions they make cause you to scratch your head, question your hearing, kick the cat? Do political parties, campaigns, and elections turn you ugly? Relax! You're not alone--and help is on the way. With Politics Ain't That Complicated, Paul Dodd provides a basic primer to guide you through the ins and outs of American politics. You'll be armed with the knowledge you need to make it through the next general election!
Real Estate Investors Take In New Strategy During Slow Year New; 'Flip Factor' Book Reveals Wholesaling Strategies Used by NFL coach to Earn
Renowned real estate coach Preston Ely explains how he and his students are profiting more in 2007 than ever before buying and selling houses.
Book Printing Experts BRIOprint to Appear on Oxygen Network
Commercial book printer, BRIOprint, featured in television episode of Her Domain on Oxygen Network.
Outskirts Press Announces Drowning In A Christian World, the Latest Abuse-General Book from Louisville, OH Author Ray Baily
Outskirts Press, Inc. has published Drowning In A Christian World by Ray Baily, which is the author's most recent book to date. The 5.5 x 8.5 Paperback in the Abuse - General category is available worldwide on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble for a suggested retail price of $14.95. The webpage at www.outskirtspress.com/DrowningInAChristianWorld was launched simultaneously with the book's publication.
Fine Art Portrait Artist Releases First Book of Over 100 Portraits That May Have You Asking, 'Is This a Painting or a Photograph?'
By utilizing all her experience with natural media, digital media, design and photography, V.Van Tiem creates truly unique storybook portraits. "Little Stories to Tell" is a wonderful little book showcasing a collection of her most unique art while sharing some of the stories and insights behind the work.