Product Description
"AA-Not the Only Way" responds to the growing demand from recovery experts, U.S. court rulings, problem drinkers and drug addicts for a global resource directory of alternative treatments. While everyone has heard of Alcoholics Anonymous and other twelve-step programs that suport millions of people each year with addiction, they are not the only effective programs available.

Melanie Solomon's book compares and contrasts many different self-help programs so the client can better choose which one best suits his or her needs, as well as contact information for licensed professionals and treatment facilities throughout the U.S. and abroad. "This book is ideal for any addiction professional's waiting room, treatment process, or as an integral part of the client's continuing care plan." (NAADAC-The Association for Addiction Professionals).

"AA-Not the Only Way fills an important niche in the recovery literature. It offers a compact but wide-ranging guide to addiction support and treatment options. The author's recovery story will also be an inspiration to those who find themselves battling a one-size-fits-all system that is supposed to be helping them." (Dr. Tom Horvath, President of SMART Recovery).

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 12 reviews)

AA, Not the only way

provides insightful thoughts and alternative viewpoints to attacking route causes and focus to vexing problems -- not just alcohol

April 26, 2008

AA: Not the Only Way--Your One Stop Resource Guide to 12-Step Alternatives

AA Not the Only Way is a resource for those seeking addiction counselling. Everyone has heard of AA but this type of program quite simply does not work for everyone. The author has personal experience in this situation. She tried AA and like many people when she kept relapsing she blamed herself for somehow failing the program. This pattern changed when the author found a program that suited her needs and specific issues.

Since AA does not suit everyone's needs and because most people don't realize that they have other options, the author has compiled information on alternate programs. Some programs require total abstinence and others look to teach moderation. There are also programs specifically tailored for women or specifically for men. The overlying philosophy, background, and contact information is included for each of these programs. Lists of licensed professionals, treatment centers, and other useful resources are also included.
July 16, 2007

yet another victory against 12-Stepism

Kuddos to Ms Solomon for helping break us out of this religious tyranny. A much needed resource guide
to other approaches to alcoholism and addiction. My impression is that AA is just about the best recovery
program the 12th century has to offer. It is time to get into reality based programs with some scientific
basis as opposed to this faith based psycho-christian nonsense.
May 13, 2007

Useful reference

Reviewed by Louise Landeta for Reader Views (2/07)

The author's main point is that there are many other programs and approaches to dealing with addictive behaviors besides Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and its twelve steps; yet the alternatives, while perhaps known within the recovery community, are not widely made known or available. She contends that AA is not as effective as most people think--her statistics are quite dismal, and some of the other programs have much more success. Mainly, Ms. Solomon wants to drive home the fact that while AA might be good for some people, and she has nothing against it, there are numerous other approaches that are effective as well. People are diverse and need diverse approaches to fit their individual needs.

Ms. Solomon shares the pitfalls of her own journey with addictive substances and her attempts to find help and support through AA to no avail, even though her own father was quite successful with the program. Her inability to recover through AA was a source of great sadness for her until she came to realize that lots of other people fail to recover through it as well. It was only through her own unrelenting search for alternatives that she found other programs and eventually something that worked for her.

The author is a good writer--her verbiage and syntax are on par, she provides data to back up her contentions, the content is well-organized and she cites her sources.

The basic theme in her thesis is that not everyone accepts the concept of a higher power and the basic assumption that they are helpless in the face of addiction. I believe this is a valid point. My only suggestion is that she seems to soft pedal this. I would be more comfortable if she would come right out with it--don't skirt around it. Be right up front with it.

I was interested in reviewing "AA Not the Only Way" because my work as a chaplain brings me into contact with various types of addicts. It will remain in my library as a useful future resource. I give it an A for all of the reasons cited above.
March 02, 2007

AA not the only way

Always good to be open to all choices.
Very detailed and helpful.
July 21, 2006

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