The Best Books on Addiction and Recovery

We must lead with our guest's memoir recounting her multilevel marketing (MLM) journey. Paulson recounts how the work environment contributed to her addiction to alcohol.

From the allure of sisterhood and success to the harsh realities of her shattered relationships, Paulson exposes the hidden dangers and deceptive practices of MLMs. 

With sharp wit and insightful commentary, this book challenges the prevailing cultural epidemic of isolation and sheds light on the cult-like ideologies driving these pyramid schemes.  

Take advantage of her interview on Book Gang, where we discuss how sobriety opened her eyes to the predatory nature of these companies. 

Emily Paulson shared that this recovery memoir can offer hope and guidance for anyone facing challenges in addiction.

These nine life mottos are the blueprint for McCowen's own sober support group. The book includes prompts to work through at the end of each chapter.

While geared towards alcohol, Paulson shared that this can be an excellent tool for any life challenges- anxiety, job change, a life change, or a relationship.

This lighthearted and judgment-free guide offers advice on better dates, sex, and partnerships without relying on alcohol. 

Packed with booze-free date ideas, scripts for awkward conversations, and thought-provoking prompts, this handbook empowers you to have alcohol-free adventures.

This self-help book publishes September 19th, 2023.

The "mommy needs wine," mantra gets challenged in this eye-opening read that Paulson shared on our show.

Through a blend of research, personal anecdotes, and interviews, Yvonne addresses the mental load of motherhood and how alcohol can hinder our ability to be present. 

Offering practical tips to lighten this burden and thrive, the book encourages mothers to reevaluate their relationship with alcohol and find authentic ways to navigate parenting challenges. 

This self-help book publishes September 12th, 2023.

Sarah Levy's stunning debut memoir is a powerful and candid essay documenting her sobriety journey. 

Through memories, journal entries, and recollections of friends and family, Levy recounts the consequences of brownout drinking and her decision to give up alcohol. 

She fearlessly explores the complexities of navigating social engagements without booze, shedding light on the societal pressures women face to drink in corporate settings and dating scenes. 

With insightful reflections on millennial culture, Levy's journey is inspiring for this demographic in particular, who want to change their relationship with alcohol.

Melissa Bond is a journalist and mother grappling with insomnia and the challenges of raising two children, one with Down's Syndrome.

As she navigates the complexities of her circumstances, she turns to benzodiazepines for relief, leading her down a shocking path of benzo addiction and a harrowing struggle to break free.

Readers drawn to medical memoirs will be riveted. This may be a triggering read though for people who are being treated for anxiety. Please check Storygraph for content warnings.

The most impactful book I’ve ever read on addiction is this one.

Journalist and bestselling author Bryony Gordon courageously share her two-decade battle with addiction to drugs and alcohol in this page-turning memoir. 

While widely recognized for her professional achievements, Bryony's personal struggle remained a secret until she bravely unveiled her recovery journey in this transformative book.

From the challenges of sober holidays to confronting the replacement of one addiction with another, her story goes beyond the conventional rehabilitation narrative, making it utterly compelling.

Looking for more great memoirs? This list of Best Memoirs for Nonfiction November is a must-read list.

Tiffany Jenkins, an opioid addict, finds herself in an unexpected and shocking situation when she gets caught and sent to jail.

The shocking element isn't that, though- it is that her boyfriend, a Deputy Sheriff, remains unaware of her drug activities.

Jenkins story is a rollercoaster of suspense and offers an inspiring path to breaking through the stigma of those battling addiction themselves.

Laura's life unravels as she battles an addiction to alcohol and Ambien amidst a tumultuous divorce trial and custody battle.

From hiding her drug abuse to facing the prospect of losing her children, she must confront her demons head-on.

However, as she enters a recovery center as the only Black patient, the story takes unexpected turns, delving into a surprising connection with another person in the program.

In this compelling memoir, Elizabeth Vargas, renowned ABC 20/20 news anchor, courageously explores her struggle with alcoholism.

From her nomadic childhood in a military family to the pressures of reporting on harrowing news stories, she shares the challenges of adapting to new environments and the solace she found in alcohol.

This is one of the best books I’ve read on how anxiety and addiction are connected, particuarly, in women.

Layering in her formative years made this more compelling than a typical Hollywood memoir. Truly, a backlist gem- I hope you'll read this.

This celebrity memoir audiobook is incredible.

Originally slated to write a self-help book, Jessica Simpson realized that she could help people more by being open and honest about what she had to overcome to achieve success and happiness.

The memoir uncovers the truth behind her life in the spotlight.

Simpson holds nothing back from her rise to fame as a pop singer to her tumultuous marriage and divorce from Nick Lachey, her stint on reality TV, and her high-profile relationships.

She also courageously opens up about her painful experiences of abuse and her struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.

Moore portrays the struggles of addiction and the redemptive power of family in this compassionate well-developed mystery.

Set in a Philadelphia neighborhood rocked by the opioid crisis, Mickey is a cop who is devastated when her sister, Kacey, goes missing amid a series of murders.

Told through alternating chapters, the author skillfully delves into their past's complexities, revealing the sisters' deep bond.

This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows the unforgettable journey of a resilient young boy born in the mountains of southern Appalachia.

Raised by a teenage single mother in challenging circumstances, Demon faces a series of hardships, from foster care to addiction, while reckoning with his own invisibility in a society that has seemingly abandoned his.

Inspired by Charles Dickens's David Copperfield, this novel brings timeless themes of survival, compassion, and the modern American South.

Sonya is an alcoholic single mother, and her inability to do anything sober has created a tragic life for her, her child, and her animal.

This story's tension is so thick that the reader is instantly sucked into a profoundly unsettling place.

At times, Sonya is euphorically happy; at others, she is searing with anger and deep remorse.

Harding creates a realistic and challenging evolution for her character.

This character-driven novel was selected as a Read With Jenna book club pick. Don’t miss our Celebrity Book Deep Dive podcast episode and top recommendations from 3 of the most popular book clubs.

In this gripping thriller, McDonald delves into the depths of a mother's desperation when her son is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that demands unaffordable treatment.

As a physician, she has access to opioids and sells them to save her child.

Set in a town grappling with an opioid epidemic, the story navigates the dark consequences of her actions, compelling readers to examine their own moral compass.

This poignant novel won The Booker Prize.

The story follows young Hugh "Shuggie" Bain growing up in the harsh environment of run-down public housing in 1980s Glasgow, Scotland.

Amidst Thatcher's policies, unemployment, and a looming drugs epidemic, Shuggie's mother, Agnes, battles addiction while trying to provide for her family.

The story explores themes of addiction, love, and sexuality, shedding light on the struggles of a working-class family rarely depicted in fiction.

Don’t miss our Book Gang episode on the Booker of the Month reading challenge.

Gifty is a sixth-year neuroscience Ph.D. candidate at Stanford University. 

As she studies reward-seeking behavior in mice and neural circuits related to depression and addiction, she grapples with her own losses.

Not only did she lose her gifted brother, Nana, to a heroin overdose, but she also grapples with her mother's tragic death.

Determined to find scientific answers to the suffering around her, she becomes drawn to uncover the mysteries, intertwining with her childhood faith.

Love Yaa Gyasi? Don't miss the Best New Historical Fiction Books of 2023 book list with her novel that we would recommend for your best summer book stack.

Byron Lane, a former personal assistant to Carrie Fisher, brings his experience to this fictional tale.

Follow Charlie's tumultuous journey as a personal assistant to the enigmatic and unpredictable megastar, Kathi Kannon.

As she grapples with an addiction to pills, he finds himself caught in the chaos. As the chaos and demands grow, Charlie questions whether this job is worth it.

You can hear my Byron Lane interview on Book Gang as we discuss how his writing process has evolved, and what he learned from writing this story.

Keefe delves into the opioid crisis, exposing the shocking roots of Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family's role in the OxyContin epidemic. 

Through three sections, he uncovers the motives of three generations of the family, revealing how well-intentioned beginnings turned into greed and manipulation, leading to widespread abuse of the drug.

We also learn of the stories of those caught in its trap.

Through meticulous research and profoundly human storytelling, Macy delves into the origins of the opioid epidemic, tracing its devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities.

From the corridors of power to the struggles of those on the front lines, this powerful narrative exposes the greed, corruption, and heartbreak behind one of our time's most urgent public health challenges.

Readers will be captivated by the Dopesick Hulu series.

The performances were riveting and perfectly captured the book.