I was always a lucky guy, at least I thought so: private school, name university, married the dream girl, had the perfect kids, big job, big house, big paycheck -- and big problem. I was an alcoholic and I was losing control of everything at once.
My book "Undrunk: A Skeptic's Guide to AA" (Hazelden 2009)is the story of how a life in freefall was rescued by the venerable 75-year old program of Alcoholics Anonymous. I came to AA as a last resort looking only for a way to quit drinking and get my life back. Imagine my surprise when they told me I would have to quit drinking first and then we could think about straightening out my life! Didn't seem fair. But, I was out of air speed and good ideas, so I grudgingly gave it a try. I was as surprised as everyone else in my life when I found sobriety, health, and a new life that was better than anything I could have imagined as a drinker.
I don't sugarcoat my story and I think big chunks of what happened to me are pretty funny (now that I am sober). I try to tell you the reader how recovery happened for me and what it felt like during that first year. My life story is a cautionary tale, for sure, but redemption and renewal are what I live by today. If you or someone you know could use a dose of that, you will like "Undrunk."
Best, A.J. Adams (pen name)
New Facebook Fan Page
Hazelden Page
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Radio Interviews
Here's an interview I did on Sirius Radio's "Urban Journal" - AJ: http://www.box.net/shared/9ak320f9u2
And another with WGY Radio:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ljv4ynunjdm
And another with WGY Radio:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ljv4ynunjdm
Review Highlights
Reaction to Undrunk: A Skeptic’s Guide to AA (Hazelden 2009) has been extraordinary. Undrunk is already a phenomenon in the recovery community and has non-fiction bestseller written all over it. Here’s a sampling of the rave reviews coming in from all over the country.
· “… a book that I couldn’t put down, and couldn’t forget.”
· “A.J. Adams de-mystifies the process of recovery through AA.”
· “I’m much less a skeptic after reading Undrunk.”
· “… an incredible insight into the success of AA.”
· “… honesty and optimism that amazed me on nearly every page.”
· “This book is for just about everyone.”
· “… inspirational book full of wisdom and laugh out loud humor.”
· “I wish I had this book when I first entered AA.”
· “… support and inspiration to millions.”
· “…no exaggeration to say Undrunk holds life-saving potential.”
· “A must read for anyone who might need AA.”
· “… inspiring account of one of AAs successes.”
· “… profoundly human.”
· “… uplifting.”
· “Hands down, the best recovery book I have read in 20 years.” (Dr. Gary Forrest, clinical psychologist)
· “Undrunk is going to click with millions of alcoholics and desperate family members across this country. It is a resource we’ve been waiting for in the medical community for a long time.” ( David G. Dixon, MD)
· “… a book that I couldn’t put down, and couldn’t forget.”
· “A.J. Adams de-mystifies the process of recovery through AA.”
· “I’m much less a skeptic after reading Undrunk.”
· “… an incredible insight into the success of AA.”
· “… honesty and optimism that amazed me on nearly every page.”
· “This book is for just about everyone.”
· “… inspirational book full of wisdom and laugh out loud humor.”
· “I wish I had this book when I first entered AA.”
· “… support and inspiration to millions.”
· “…no exaggeration to say Undrunk holds life-saving potential.”
· “A must read for anyone who might need AA.”
· “… inspiring account of one of AAs successes.”
· “… profoundly human.”
· “… uplifting.”
· “Hands down, the best recovery book I have read in 20 years.” (Dr. Gary Forrest, clinical psychologist)
· “Undrunk is going to click with millions of alcoholics and desperate family members across this country. It is a resource we’ve been waiting for in the medical community for a long time.” ( David G. Dixon, MD)
Amazon Customer 5 Star Review
Undrunk is a must-read., June 11, 2009
By lamp (San Jose, CA) (5 Stars)
Undrunk is a must-read for anyone who's ever been touched by alcoholism--in other words, for most of us. In a friendly, witty, insightful, self-deprecating and touchingly poignant style, A. J. Adams shares the world of the alcoholic, before his encounters with AA and through the challenging, surprising and sometimes exhilarating journey of recovery. Having spent a lifetime as "collateral damage" of the alcoholics in my life, I found Undrunk offered both an honesty and an optimism that amazed me on nearly every page. Most captivating is the depth of A.J.'s ongoing reinvention of himself. It is said that in recovery, some people get well, and some get weller. A.J. Adams is one of them. We can all learn something about ourselves from A. J.'s journey. This book is a quick-read, one that I both couldn't put down, and couldn't forget.
By lamp (San Jose, CA) (5 Stars)
Undrunk is a must-read for anyone who's ever been touched by alcoholism--in other words, for most of us. In a friendly, witty, insightful, self-deprecating and touchingly poignant style, A. J. Adams shares the world of the alcoholic, before his encounters with AA and through the challenging, surprising and sometimes exhilarating journey of recovery. Having spent a lifetime as "collateral damage" of the alcoholics in my life, I found Undrunk offered both an honesty and an optimism that amazed me on nearly every page. Most captivating is the depth of A.J.'s ongoing reinvention of himself. It is said that in recovery, some people get well, and some get weller. A.J. Adams is one of them. We can all learn something about ourselves from A. J.'s journey. This book is a quick-read, one that I both couldn't put down, and couldn't forget.
Pick of The Week
PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY PICK OF THE WEEK
This week we're proud to highlight an honest, probing look at Alcoholics Anonymous from a former addict who, like many, was less than enthusiastic to sign up. Undrunk: A Skeptic’s Guide to AAA.J. Adams. Hazelden, $14.95 paper (120p) ISBN 9781592857203
Until he bottomed out and joined up as a last-ditch effort, Adams thought of Alcoholics Anonymous (like many pre-treatment addicts) as a repository for losers or the weak. In this touching, semi-irreverent look at a global fellowship at once transparent and mysterious, Adams lays out the “12 Steps” for readers as he chronicles his own introduction to the program. The distinguishing characteristic of this memoir is Adams's skepticism and willingness to analyze the process, maintaining enough distance to translate the story for non-members while holding dear his conviction in AA's power to heal (in her foreword, Mel B. notes that “one of [AA's] unwritten rules... is that one should utilize the program rather than analyze it”). Adams includes a smattering of the organization's history and personal revelations, plenty of stories and much translation from AA jargon. Adams maintains a welcoming balance of candor and gallows humor with helpful explication and unflinching awareness of the life-and-death stakes, making this an eye-opening and encouraging read for those who need help with addiction, their own or a loved one's. (May)
Publishers Weekly Starred Review
Adams maintains a welcoming balance of candor and gallows humor with helpful explication and unflinching awareness of the life-and-death stakes, making this an eye-opening and encouraging read for those who need help with addiction, their own or a loved one's.
Web Exclusive Reviews: Week of 4/27/2009. Read the full article at:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6654447.html?q=undrunk
Gary G. Forrest, Ed., Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Chairman of the International Treatment of Addictive Disorders Winter Symposium
You have written a real ‘gem’ for all of us in the treatment field and recovery community, and hands down, Undrunk is the best book I have personally read in the field over the past 20 years.
Interview on WGY Radio in Albany:
Link
New York Daily News, featured in Addictions & Answers,
column by Dr. Dave Moore and Bill Manville:
Link
With self-deprecating humor, entertaining anecdotes, and frank descriptions, A. J. Adams introduces readers to the complete Alcoholics Anonymous “undrunk” lifestyle. Beginning with the story of his first AA meeting, he takes the mystery out of what goes on behind closed doors, in order to encourage addicts who are reluctant to get help walk through them.
Adams also addresses the journey through detox and treatment, and presents a user-friendly history and introduction to AA, the Steps, and the Traditions. Included are translations of AA lingo designed to put newcomers at ease.
Undrunk was written for reluctant newcomers and those who think they might have a problem.
It offers family members of alcoholics an accessible tool to encourage their loved ones to get help, and it gives AA members a handy means to encourage people to keep coming back. A. J. Adams is a professional writer with a little over one year in AA. A.J. Adams is a pen name.
Web Exclusive Reviews: Week of 4/27/2009. Read the full article at:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6654447.html?q=undrunk
Gary G. Forrest, Ed., Ph.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Chairman of the International Treatment of Addictive Disorders Winter Symposium
You have written a real ‘gem’ for all of us in the treatment field and recovery community, and hands down, Undrunk is the best book I have personally read in the field over the past 20 years.
Interview on WGY Radio in Albany:
Link
New York Daily News, featured in Addictions & Answers,
column by Dr. Dave Moore and Bill Manville:
Link
With self-deprecating humor, entertaining anecdotes, and frank descriptions, A. J. Adams introduces readers to the complete Alcoholics Anonymous “undrunk” lifestyle. Beginning with the story of his first AA meeting, he takes the mystery out of what goes on behind closed doors, in order to encourage addicts who are reluctant to get help walk through them.
Adams also addresses the journey through detox and treatment, and presents a user-friendly history and introduction to AA, the Steps, and the Traditions. Included are translations of AA lingo designed to put newcomers at ease.
Undrunk was written for reluctant newcomers and those who think they might have a problem.
It offers family members of alcoholics an accessible tool to encourage their loved ones to get help, and it gives AA members a handy means to encourage people to keep coming back. A. J. Adams is a professional writer with a little over one year in AA. A.J. Adams is a pen name.
Why I believe alcoholism is the single biggest problem in the U.S.
Scope of the alcohol problem:
· 48 million alcoholics/alcohol abusers in the U.S. (NIAA); more people than live in Spain or Canada.
· On any given day, 20-40% of patients in U.S. hospitals are there because of illnesses caused of made worse by alcohol abuse (NIAA)
· Mayo Clinic estimates that alcohol abuse causes or contributes to 100,000 deaths a year in the U.S. (4th behind heart disease, cancer and respiratory)
· 83% of inmates in U.S. prisons are alcohol/drug abusers; 40% of them will return to prison within four years of release without treatment. The number drops to 7% with exposure to AA in prison ( FBI). This does not include unreported domestic violence or child abuse.
· Economic cost of alcoholism in the U.S. is more than $250 billion per year (NIAA); that would underwrite the Iraq War for 2 years or pay off the current trillion dollar national defecit in 4 years.
· Divorce rate in the U.S. is roughly 50%. Alcoholism plays a well known, but not easily quantified role.
Conclusion: The combined effect of alcoholism and alcohol abuse on the country’s health, economy, crime and social harmony makes it America’s single biggest problem.
Where does AA fit in?
· Most durable treatment – 70 years old and counting.
· Largest following – 2 million members around the world
· Most effective – By consensus
· Least expensive – It’s free.
Conclusion: AA’s dependability, popularity, effectiveness and cost make it America’s single best solution.
· 48 million alcoholics/alcohol abusers in the U.S. (NIAA); more people than live in Spain or Canada.
· On any given day, 20-40% of patients in U.S. hospitals are there because of illnesses caused of made worse by alcohol abuse (NIAA)
· Mayo Clinic estimates that alcohol abuse causes or contributes to 100,000 deaths a year in the U.S. (4th behind heart disease, cancer and respiratory)
· 83% of inmates in U.S. prisons are alcohol/drug abusers; 40% of them will return to prison within four years of release without treatment. The number drops to 7% with exposure to AA in prison ( FBI). This does not include unreported domestic violence or child abuse.
· Economic cost of alcoholism in the U.S. is more than $250 billion per year (NIAA); that would underwrite the Iraq War for 2 years or pay off the current trillion dollar national defecit in 4 years.
· Divorce rate in the U.S. is roughly 50%. Alcoholism plays a well known, but not easily quantified role.
Conclusion: The combined effect of alcoholism and alcohol abuse on the country’s health, economy, crime and social harmony makes it America’s single biggest problem.
Where does AA fit in?
· Most durable treatment – 70 years old and counting.
· Largest following – 2 million members around the world
· Most effective – By consensus
· Least expensive – It’s free.
Conclusion: AA’s dependability, popularity, effectiveness and cost make it America’s single best solution.
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