Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

My Story.

The LifeRing Philosophy.

1. A Person Addicted Is a Person in Confl ict.

The Divided Self.

“A” (Addicted Self) Versus “S” (Sober Self).

2. Prepare Your Sober Self for Action.

Reinforcing Your Sober Self.

Motivating Yourself to Start.

You’re Not Defective.

The Power of Habit.

3. How LifeRing Works.

The LifeRing Meeting.

An X-Ray of the Meeting Dynamic.

4. Building a Personal Recovery Program.

Why Build a Personal Recovery Program.

Building a Personal Recovery Program on Your Own.

The Challenges and Rewards of a Personal Recovery Program.

5. About Powerlessness.

Choice or Powerlessness.

How the Powerlessness Doctrine Drives Out Newcomers.

Powerlessness for Women and Minorities.

6. About the Disease Theory of Alcoholism.

The “Medical Business”.

Drinking and Public Health.

The Perfect Storm That Made the Treatment System.

The Cure for the Disease Model.

7. Genetic Headlines Meet Laboratory Realities.

Headline Fantasies Versus Laboratory Research.

The Dangers of Genetic Fatalism.

Conclusion.

Recovery as Liberation.

An Invitation to LifeRing.

Notes.

References.

A Short List of Resources for Recovery.

About the Author.

Index.