Author: CMPR

Navigating Grace by Jeff Jay

Posted on by CMPR

Navigating Grace by Jeff Jay

“I had a growing allergy to everything commonplace, and I was determined to do something marvelous, something men only talk about and then regret not doing. I already knew what it took to sail all night in a storm, to navigate beyond sight of land, to live in the luxurious whisper of the wind.”

NAVIGATING GRACE: A Solo Voyage of Survival and Redemption (Hazelden; September 1, 2015; $15.95; Original Trade Paperback) by Jeff Jay is his inspirational true story of survival, faith, and chasing a dream. Sailing is an adventure many people aspire to take, but Jeff’s journey soon turned into a nightmare that tested his inner strength and almost cost him his life.

After a series of personal tragedies, Jeff needed time for reflection and solitude, which prompted him to realize his dream of living on the open sea. His experience sailing with his father during his childhood and teenage years helped prepare Jeff for the voyage he would embark on, but the “white whale of a boat” he purchased was twenty years old and in desperate need of repairs. Jeff named it “Lifeboat” and set sail from Maryland to his selected destination of the Caribbean. He also planned on using Lifeboat as a “floating men’s halfway house for those who struggle with chronic relapse” and to take those clients through the Twelve Steps of AA.

En route to the Caribbean, a brutal storm appeared that almost destroyed Lifeboat; rain beat down on Jeff, fierce waves attempted to overturn the boat which almost sank. Jeff compares this battle with his struggle against alcoholism as he reminisced how he finally got sober. Trapped in the darkness of the open water all alone, Jeff relied on his faith to see him through this most terrifying time.

NAVIGATING GRACE is a heartfelt and motivating true story that:

  • Tells of Jeff’s dangerous boat trip to the Caribbean that almost took his life
  • Reveals how Jeff survived the storm and found redemption
  • Recalls Jeff’s battle with alcoholism and how he found the strength to get sober
  • Describes Jeff’s unique vision to use Lifeboat for mobile addiction counseling
  • Includes a glossary of nautical terms, a map of Jeff’s voyage, and diagrams of Lifeboat

NAVIGATING GRACE is an intensely personal testimonial to calling on the power of grace in our darkest hours and those miraculous moments that change our lives forever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Jay is a certified addiction specialist, popular speaker and consultant, and co-author with Debra Jay of the best-selling book Love First. His work has appeared on CNN, The Jane Pauley Show, PBS, Forbes Online and numerous professional journals. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, and has served as president of the Terry McGovern Foundation in Washington, DC, and as trustee for several clinical and professional organizations.

ABOUT HAZELDEN:
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. It is the nation’s largest nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center. With 15 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults.

Navigating Grace: A Solo Voyage of Survival and Redemption
By Jeff Jay
Hazelden Publishing
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1616496166
Original Trade Paperback
Price: $15.95
Pages: 220 pp.
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If You Leave Me, Can I Come With You? by Misti B

Posted on by CMPR

If You Leave Me, Can I Come With You? By: Misti B.

Recovery from alcoholism, addiction, or codependency takes hard work, dedication, and perseverance. The struggle to stay mindful is a profound topic, but a new book proves it is possible to see the bright side of the things you struggle with while discovering that laughter can be a sign of healing.

IF YOU LEAVE ME, CAN I COME WITH YOU?: Daily Meditations for Codependents and Al-Anons…with a Sense of Humor (Hazelden; September 2015; $15.95; Original Trade Paperback) by Misti B., a seasoned traveler on the road to recovery, contains lessons, anecdotes, and musings that were “…written to bring humor to anyone recovering from codependency or who participates in Al-Anon.”

“I believe it is possible to find happiness and joy on the road to recovery,” says Misti B. She exemplifies this outlook for each day of the year, beginning with New Year’s Day (“…few other holidays bring this much hope…”). While each day presents its own hurdles, Misti faces them with optimism and strength. Written with honesty and humor, Misti is self-reflective of her life as an Al-Anon, codependent, and how her recovery has created new perceptions of the people and places around her.

Misti B. takes the lessons and information learned in Twelve-Step meetings and applies them to real world situations, like reacting to anger, learning to let go of regret, resisting the urge to be passive-aggressive, and forgiving others. Every day presents a new opportunity to learn, to grow, and to become a better person.

IF YOU LEAVE ME, CAN I COME WITH YOU? offers:

  • Meditations and wisdom to successfully tackle everyday challenges we all face, whether or not you identify as a codependent, Al-Anon or as someone in recovery.
  • Advice on how to deal with Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and other holidays
    Tips for working through common struggles that people in Al-Anon face, such as perfectionism, caretaking, people-pleasing, and more
  • Lighthearted and humorous approaches to struggling through stressful events and situations
  • The Twelve Steps of Al-Anon and the Twelve Steps of Codependents Anonymous

IF YOU LEAVE ME, CAN I COME WITH YOU? by Misti B. delivers the carefully balanced mix of support, inspiration, and healthy irreverence to make the daily recovery process much easier.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Misti Barnes, a writer, filmmaker, and recovering codependent, writes humorous books about life in recovery, shining some light into normally very dark spaces. Misti’s career in entertainment—producing live events, writing and directing for stage, TV, and film—combined with her dysfunctional upbringing provide the fodder for her gritty but inspiring recovery stories. For more information, visit Misti on her website at: www.mistibwrites.com

ABOUT HAZELDEN:
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. It is the nation’s largest nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center. With 15 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults.

IF YOU LEAVE ME, CAN I COME WITH YOU?:
Daily Meditations for Codependents and Al-Anons…with a Sense of Humor
By Misti B.
Hazelden Publishing
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1616496159
Original Trade Paperback
Price: $15.95
Pages: 400 pp.

 

 

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A Sober Mom’s Guide to Recovery by Rosemary O’Connor

Posted on by CMPR

A Sober Mom's Guide to Recovery by Rosemary O'Connor

Motherhood is difficult enough, but the struggle to remain sober while dealing with life’s daily grind can seem impossible. Rosemary O’Connor, a mother who had hit rock bottom, knew that she had to get clean not only for herself—but for her children. Now, she wants to help other mothers stay on track by living healthy, productive, and rewarding lives of sobriety.

A SOBER MOM’S GUIDE TO RECOVERY: Taking Care of Yourself to Take Care of Your Kids (Hazelden; September 29, 2015; $15.95; Original Trade Paperback) by Rosemary O’Connor is the all-in-one resource that imparts the wisdom and guidance to help recovering mothers tackle some of the most complex problems facing women during sobriety. “My intention is to share real-life challenges sober mothers can identify with, and the practical tools that helped me transform my life and stay sober. My hope is to support mothers who are trying to stay sober no matter what challenges they may face,” O’Connor says.

O’Connor addresses some of the most important subjects that recovering mothers navigate through, such as spirituality, communication, dating and intimacy, and much more. In addition, she discusses the challenges of codependency, shame, and forgiveness, among many other issues. “Sober Mom’s Tools” are included at the end of each chapter for right-to-the-point answers.

The down-to-earth advice and true stories of recovering women, including the author’s, are perfect for mothers no matter what stage of sobriety they are in. By learning how to best take care of themselves, mothers are in better positions to best take care of their children.

A SOBER MOM’S GUIDE TO RECOVERY is an essential handbook for recovering mothers that:

  • Offers lessons and tips for effectively overcoming guilt, anger, loneliness, and more
  • Explains how to set positive examples and healthy behaviors for their children
  • Reveals how to celebrate life while in recovery
  • Describes what finally pushed Rosemary O’Connor to get clean and how she achieved sobriety
  • Includes insightful “Sober Mom’s Tools” at the end of each chapter

A SOBER MOM’S GUIDE TO RECOVERY examines the most pressing issues for women in recovery and provides the tools to help mothers take care of themselves so they can take better care of their children.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rosemary O’Connor is a certified addiction recovery coach, a certified professional coach, and founded ROC Recovery Services to respond to the specific needs of women and mothers in recovery. She has been a workshop facilitator for Bayside Marin and on staff of the Alta Mira Recovery Programs, Muir Wood Adolescent Family Program, and Five Sisters Ranch. Rosemary serves on the advisory board of Stepping Stone, the oldest alcohol and drug recovery program for women in northern California.

ABOUT HAZELDEN:
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. It is the nation’s largest nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center. With 15 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults.

A Sober Mom’s Guide to Recovery: Taking Care of Yourself to Take Care of Your Kids
By Rosemary O’Connor
Hazelden Publishing
Publication Date: September 29, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1616496029
Original Trade Paperback
Price: $15.95
Pages: 200 pp.

 

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Do You Really Get Me? by Joseph Shrand, MD

Posted on by CMPR

Do You Really Get Me by Joseph Shrand, M.D.We all need communication and have the desire to be respected by others. What if there was a way to increase the value in ourselves by finding empathy in others?

DO YOU REALLY GET ME?: Finding Value in Yourself and Others through Empathy and Connection (Hazelden; September 29, 2015; $15.95; Original Trade Paperback) by Joseph Shrand, M.D., with Leigh Devine, provides the means and techniques to enhance connections with others, show greater respect for and have more trust in others, and raise esteem in ourselves. We are constantly evaluating how people perceive us, but once we begin to understand others, we can have a positive influence on family, friends, and the world around us.

Dr. Shrand developed the I-Maximum Approach (I-M Approach) “as a treatment approach, but it has become as much a philosophy to help people remind themselves and others that each of us has value.” Theory of Mind (ToM) allows us to “appreciate another person’s perspective.” Combined, these powerful tools give everyone the ability shape our lives for the better by discovering the value in ourselves and others, as well as influencing how people perceive you and how they think and feel about themselves.

In addition, this fascinating new book by Dr. Shrand covers the four domains: Biological, Home, Ic (I See), and Social. Each presents unique circumstances that change our reactions about ourselves and how others view us. Other topics include how Theory of Mind evolved and became the building block of all human interaction, the reasons people lie, how social groups are formed and what binds them together, and why we choose to either include people in our connections or to reject them.

DO YOU REALLY GET ME? explains to readers:
• The meaning of Theory of Mind and how it applies to having empathy for others
• What the I-M Approach is and how it helps to reach your potential
• The differences between a “white” lie and a “strategic” lie and why we tell them
• Why we feel the need to belong and to establish connections with others
• The various forms of alienation and how it affects us

In DO YOU REALLY GET ME?, Dr. Shrand explains how to use the I-M Approach and Theory of Mind to bring out the best in yourself and others while finding value through empathy.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Joseph Shrand, M.D., is an instructor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. He supervises psychiatry residents for Harvard South Shore and applies his I-M Approach as medical director of CASTLE (Clean and Sober Teens Living Empowered), part of High Point Treatment Center. He is the author of The Fear Reflex and Outsmarting Anger with Leigh Devine.

For more information on Dr. Shrand and his methodology, visit: http://www.drshrand.com/

Leigh Devine has a master of science from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and has written and produced many notable publications and documentary programs specializing in psychology, medicine, and science.

ABOUT HAZELDEN:
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. It is the nation’s largest nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center. With 15 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults.

Do You Really Get Me?: Finding Value in Yourself and Others through Empathy and Connection
By Joseph Shrand, M.D., with Leigh Devine
Hazelden Publishing
Publication Date: September 29, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1616495886
Original Trade Paperback
Price: $15.95
Pages: 200 pp.
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Conquer Chronic Pain by Peter Przekop, DO, PHD

Posted on by CMPR

Conquer Chronic Pain

“Chronic pain affects as many as 30 percent of Americans . . . there are about 320 million people living in the United States, which means that approximately 110 million of them are likely to have chronic pain.” —Peter Przekop

Chronic pain is most widely defined as “any pain that persists for three months or more.” Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain every day, and some of the current treatments available may actually be causing additional harm or prolonged suffering. One of the most common treatment methods, the prescribing of opioid medications such as Vicodin and OxyContin, can have undesirable side effects and lead to addiction. In his book CONQUER CHRONIC PAIN: An Innovative Mind-Body Approach (Hazelden; November 3, 2015; $15.95; Original Trade Paperback), Peter Przekop, DO, PhD, provides healthy alternatives to treating chronic pain.
Dr. Przekop suggests that chronic pain is actually a disease in the brain and not only affects the brain, mind, and body but actually becomes part of the individual. Through his research, he discovered that people who could not cope with stress and who internalized emotions had an increased risk of becoming chronically ill. In addition, Dr. Przekop reveals that past negative experiences can hinder the healing process. The author also offers important information regarding the structure of the brain, how the mind is different from the brain, how the mind works, and how chronic pain alters brain functions.

This groundbreaking book also includes eighteen exercises specifically designed to help conquer chronic pain, including mindful movement–a schema exercise that helps us understand how our mind processes information—and clearing adversity, which helps us to clear negative energy that is locked inside, creating adversity.

CONQUER CHRONIC PAIN teaches us:

  • Why people experience chronic pain and the factors that contribute to it
  • Exercises to help conquer chronic pain based on the philosophy of Qigong, as well as the six principles they are based upon
  • What the “three minds” are and their importance to alleviating pain
  • The chemical reactions behind pain signals
  • What neuroplasticity is and how it relates to chronic pain

CONQUER CHRONIC PAIN helps us to better understand chronic pain by explaining its causes and effects on the mind and body, reveals how a person’s coping strategies determine his or her ability to handle pain, and provides the exercises and information to assist in conquering chronic pain.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter Przekop, DO, PhD, has been doing research and developing his alternative model for managing chronic pain for more than ten years, four of them with the chronic pain clinic at the Betty Ford Center, and has published a number of research papers on the subject. Learn more about Dr. Przekop and his program by visiting http://www.peterprzekop.com/

ABOUT THE HAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION:
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. It is the nation’s largest nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center. With 16 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults.

Conquer Chronic Pain: An Innovative Mind-Body Approach
By Peter Przekop, DO, PhD
Hazelden Publishing
Publication Date: November 3, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1616497897
Original Trade Paperback
Price: $15.95
Pages: 200 pp.

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