1st Edition
The Recovery Cycle A Practical Guide to Loving Your Sober Life
This book introduces the Recovery Cycle, the only relatable model for positive change in sobriety and a simple roadmap for sober living. The author, a clinician in recovery herself, demonstrates how to talk to clients or anyone with an interest in sobriety in a pragmatic, like-minded way.
The easy, conversational style encourages cultivation of solid, sober relationships and spiritual connections, all with an achievable, open-minded approach. Concrete methods honor the thinking and feeling parts of the recovering individual, thereby promoting personal empowerment and choice rather than generic prescriptive advice. The book speaks to all addiction disorders and discusses what every addicted person must go through to love their sober life, no matter what program they choose, no matter what addiction. Readers will find the journey toward emotional sobriety and spiritual recovery discussed in a simple, straightforward way, with depth and compassion.
For clinicians who want to guide clients in recovery or for any motivated individual in recovery desiring to transform their life from one of pain and struggle to a beautiful work of heart, this book will be a welcome spark of inspiration and support—without the snore factor of a dry textbook.
Part One. A Merry-Go-Round Prison 1. The Addiction Cycle Part Two. Freedom! 2. The Recovery Cycle 3. Define Your Recovery, Design Your Life 4. Rituals That Make Good Sense 5. If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes 6. Comfort in Recovery 7. Feeling Feelings, Being Human 8. Prices and Prizes 9. The Recovery Cycle Illustrated Part Three: Spirituality 10. Not Your Ordinary Heaven 11. Love, Intimacy, and Sexuality 12. The Path from Here
Biography
Joi Andreoli is a licensed marriage and family therapist, writer, and communications educator in the Los Angeles area.
"The journey of recovery is more like a marathon than a sprint. In the book The Recovery Cycle, Joi Andreoli offers an in-depth and practical understanding of how addicted individuals can sustain the stamina needed for a marathon and successfully negotiate the twists and turns of the journey to lead a "satisfied life" filled with an overall sense of wellbeing. Joi is a wonderful coach who allows individuals ways to examine important dimensions of recovery: thinking, decisions, feelings, choices, and connections with self and others. Her chapters are filled with wisdom gained from her personal journey blended with insights and sage advice about how to create and sustain a meaningful life from Carl Jung, David Burns, Victor Frankl and many others. SAMHSA has defined recovery as "A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential". The explorations and exercises in each chapter encourage all of us and our clients to dive deeper into this process of change, challenge our myths and self-deceptions, and use the helpful strategies offered to manage all the pitfalls and potholes along the journey. What a gem of a book. One that could be used by all who are seeking to break the cycle of addiction and live this self-directed life."
Carlo C. DiClemente, Ph.D. ABPP, Emeritus Professor of Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County, author of Addiction and Change: How Addictions Develop and Addicted People Recover.
"The Recovery Cycle provides a much-needed shift in attitude and approach for people struggling to get sober from any addiction. Andreoli skillfully breathes new life into age-old concepts that are still effective while simultaneously inviting the reader to imagine their preferred life. The author ushers in a new era of addiction treatment by constructing a positive approach to the 12-Step Program. A must read for both recovering people and therapists alike!"
Alexandra Katehakis, Ph.D., author of Mirror of Intimacy: Daily Reflections on Emotional and Erotic Intelligence
"Beautifully written, engaging, inspirational – a love song to the freedom, creativity, and ever-evolving joys of recovery."
Katherine Ketcham, coauthor of The Spirituality of Imperfection, Under the Influence and Broken
"A great book for therapists, their clients and anyone who wants a practical approach for recovery from any addiction. The Recovery Cycle shows how a meaningful recovery with connection and love can be simple, straightforward and attainable."
Dr. Pat Allen, CAS, Psychotherapist, Author of It’s a Man’s World and a Woman’s Universe
"Full of practical guidance, The Recovery Cycle is sure to be an asset to anyone seeking a deeply fulfilling recovery from addiction."
Julie S. Kraft, LMFT, co-author of The Mindfulness Workbook for Addiction and The Gift of Recovery
