Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie

8 reviews

jazzofmine's review against another edition

dark hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

4.5

I am so glad I read (listened) - great first for the year. I listened to this in a week on daily commutes to/from work and stayed very engaged, and was actually quite looking forward to my commutes in order to continue to listen. 

I had read a few kind of negative, or at least critical, reviews prior. However I was recommended to read this by my counselor and again I’m very glad I listened. I found myself even rewinding to catch particular phrases a second time. And as I continued listening I realized I wanted to order a physical copy as well in order to annotate and get a second read in. My opinion is that those who have reviewed this critically probably either a) are in denial (if in fact they could benefit from the contents of the book) or b) are not the appropriate audience. 

For loved ones of an alcoholic or chemically addicted person, this may be very relatable. But as Melody writes - she tries to engage with folks from a variety of different situations who have come to discover that they’re codependently involved with an addict or unwell person (be it alcoholism, chemical dependence, sex addiction or a variety of situations that could lead to codependency). 

I’m a family member of an alcoholic and I would say that as she offered lists of traits, issues, situations, anecdotal stories I found myself saying “yes, yes!” And felt like at least about 75% of the content resonated with my experiences, and was helpful for me.

I only removed half a star because parts of the content weren’t for me with regards to mentions of god. However, I would still recommend this, because she only mentions god or a “higher power” in the second half of the book, in relation to 12 step programs such as AA. And I can appreciate that the structure of some programs she references involve this, and it doesn’t ruffle me (as a nonbeliever). Much of the book was still widely applicable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Drug abuse

rly's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse

sashaanauo's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

my therapist recommended I read this book in one of our final sessions before they switched to a different institution and man. mitch I miss u and also I definitely understand why u told me to read this 😭
some aspects of the book did not necessarily feel like they applied to me, just as in codependency in relationship to addiction and etc, but I think this is generally a great resource for anyone who struggles with codependency. only complaint is that the occasional mentions of religion / a higher power as a part of helping yourself didn't really apply to me, but those sections were relatively easy to skip and im sure helped a lot of other people!
chapters 4, 8, 14 thru 17, and 19 (specifically the parts on fear of intimacy, forgiveness, limits/boundaries) particularly hit for me!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Addiction

annaofjesup's review against another edition

challenging hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Alcohol, Drug use, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Child abuse, and Toxic friendship

faithaforman's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

Reader beware, the first section of this book (meaning chapters 1 through 4) are pretty rough. They are very direct about the signs of codependency, what they mean, and how they may be perceived. It's not until you get to section two that the tone becomes a little more gentle and describes more of how these habits developed and how you can work towards breaking them. If you are in a difficult place, just enter this book with caution and know that it does get more productive and kind. Overall, I did find this to be a helpful read and it highlighted a lot of habits I hold that I had not noticed.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Grief, Self harm, Death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts

fenemiestolovers's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

2.75

Had a lot of good insight and information and I would be interested to know how I would have responded to this book much earlier in my codependency recovery journey. That being said, some of the examples given made me outright uncomfortable and I wish there had been more focus on codependency outside of relationships with those struggling with alcoholism. Would recommend with some heavy content warnings and to be taken with many grains of salt. Though I will be taking away some ideas going forward! A mixed bag.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Mental illness, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Child death, Grief, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Cancer, Medical trauma, Terminal illness, and Physical abuse

st61826's review against another edition

informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Domestic abuse

darkmattersoybean's review against another edition

challenging inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Addiction

Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship