'When I first heard of the principles that form the foundation of this book, I knew immediately that they would revolutionize and simplify the treatment and recovery process for addiction. From that hope I wrote my first book, The Serenity Principle, that has helped thousands of addicts in finding true serenity and lasting recovery. Barbara Smith and Christian McNeill have taken a huge leap from that humble beginning in writing about this paradigm shift. Their book provides a profound, simple, and practical guide to recovery and the resulting promise of serenity and sobriety. In a very personal style they share their own journeys and those of others who have long searched for an end to the struggle with addiction--to a rediscovery of their true inner source of well-being, wisdom, and deep inner peace. I am so grateful to them for writing this book and will share it with all my clients and the professionals that I train. In deepest gratitude for the gift Christian and Barbara have given us all.' Joseph Bailey, Author, The Serenity Principle
Barbara Smith and Christian McNeill share a remarkably simple paradigm that explains a single cause and cure for all addiction. Sound too good to be true? It's not. The understanding of mental health they share is as profound as it is simple, and it has already helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. This book will be an absolute game-changer for people struggling with addiction and for those who support them. Dr Amy Johnson, Author, The Little Book of Big Change: The No-Willpower Approach to Breaking Any Habit
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5.0 out of 5 starsMy best book on the three principles
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 March 2020
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This book is primarily about alcohol addiction and substance abuse, neither of which are problems for me. I'm about 95% teetotal and have never taken a controlled, non-prescription substance. I bought the book because I have been in the "3P conversation" for several years, but have never managed to control my eating, and I'm 300lbs, 72 years old, and type 2 diabetic, and I don't want to fall victim to "knife (and fork) crime".
I didn't really have a lot of hope when I bought the book: I thought it would be just about alcohol and narcotics and 12-step programs -- but it's the clearest account of the three principles I have ever encountered.
It shows how ALL forms of addiction, whether alcohol, narcotics, gambling, sex, over-eating, are just the result of mistakes in our thinking. Once upon a time we thought that drunks and obese people just lacked moral strength. Then the disease model took over -- they just have an illness. But with the three principles we get to see that there's nothing wrong with us, we're just too attached to our thinking, and when we can let go of that attachment we no longer need to look for an answer to our pain outside of ourselves.
Get this book, whatever your addiction, or pain ... it offers hope for us all to find our innate health and our innate wisdom.
5.0 out of 5 starsLife was never meant to be a struggle.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 March 2020
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I'm new to the 3 Principles and have been pondering it for a number of months now and Addiction has helped me greatly to join some of the dots, answer questions I had in my head regarding the 3P's and made clearer what the 3 P's are. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has tried a number of avenues to help themselves with their addiction, and for those who have mastered the physical symptoms of addiction but still don't feel at peace with themselves or feel that there's still something missing. This book is pointing in the opposite direction from what we've been lead to believe about addiction.
5.0 out of 5 starsQuite simply the best book I've ever read on addiction!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 March 2020
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I've read many books on the subject and have 23 years of recovery in a 12 Step programme, for which I'm extremely grateful. This book is clear, compassionate and very easy to read. It's packed full of deep wisdom and insights leading to many "Aha" moments. It stands out in comparison to other books on the topic, because Christian and Barbara not only talk the talk, but more importantly they've walked, and continue to, walk the walk. The basic premise is that all we need to know is within ourselves, if only we'll listen to this. It cuts straight through the faulty age-old mental conditioning so many of us addicts have, which torments and tricks us into believing that we're somehow "defective" and "damaged" goods. We're not - we're just human like everybody else! This book is like a big breath of fresh air. I can't recommend it highly enough. Anybody and everybody who has any kind of interest in addiction, be it personal or professional, absolutely must read this excellent book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 February 2020
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Lovely book well written and it could be the missing link for any one in and about recovery id imagine they could completly relate to the stories and could bring about some lovely insights
This is wonderful addition to the canon of recovery literature. Easy to read and packed with mind-opening ideas. It complements the existing recovery networks and overturns many misconceptions about “the addict”, and shines light on very helpful parts of the path to freedom. This is not simply a book for people with alcohol or other drug difficulties; it is also aimed at those whose lives are affected by the repetitive difficult behaviour of those close to them.