Rational Recovery: The New Cure for Substance Addiction

"A good book for people committed to the premise. Definitely requires commitment and the right mind set."
~ Written on 2008-08-16

"If you are one of the almost 5 percent of alcoholics who can be saved by AA, you do not need to read Jack Trimpey's Rational Recovery. It is not for you. Rational Recovery (RR) or "generic recovery" is a way of quitting drinking or drugging that has been around as long as alcohol, and drugs--you just make the rational decision to quit for good and star behaving like it. It works for 65 percent of all people who give it a try. Over half of all who learn RR recover. Of course, making this rational decision is never simple, especially if we then have to act rationally, and that is what the book is about. First you have to recognize the part of yourself that loves to use. If you have trouble hearing this addictive voice, Jack tells us to say out loud "I quit, forever." If we have a drinking problem, we will immediately start an argument with the part that wants to continue to drink or drug. Jack shows us how to win this argument, again and again. The bottom line is that the part of our brain that wants to drink or drug has no access to our fingers or mouth, unless is hijacks the rest of our brain, reason, and self-control.

Being a licensed counselor, I know a little how Jack must feel suggesting an alternative approach to AA. AA people do not like RR people. As I write this review. I prepare to be burnt at stake, suggesting Jack is in his right mind questioning why none of the 12 steps mention anything about quitting, dismissing the belief one is powerless, or urging those who wish to recover to never admit they are "alcoholics" or "addicts." He challenges us to forget about "one day at a time" or "never say never" and embrace "I will never drink or drug again." Jack Trimpey goes on to show that Rational Recovery is a cure for chemical dependency by changing what we think and do. No meetings, no bottoming out, no moral inventories, no higher power, just quitting straight up. He shows us how to shatter illusions and thinking errors and act rationally sober. I have people raging at me for suggesting RR and patients complain about the copy I leave out in my waiting room. But it is not a matter of AA versus RR, but a matter of getting sober. This rational approach can sober up many of those who cannot benefit from AA. With over 80 million Americans drinking or drugging today, rationally it is a matter of AA or RR, please. Now. Rational Recovery saves lives. Read it and recommend it. "
~ Written on 2008-06-27

"I'll make it simple:
I was sick for a long time.
I bought the book, and read it.
I'm not sick anymore, and my life is since better.

I might add: This book is for people who AA just doesn't work for (in other words, MOST rational people.)"
~ Written on 2008-05-20

"This book is worth it's weight in gold! A welcome alternative to the AA/disease mentality. The author believes that abstinence is possible without groups and 12 steps. He also lets you "off the hook" from spending a lifetime recovering...once you are able to maintain sobriety, you have recovered. This method lets you move on with your life! For my family it has worked wonders! TRY IT "
~ Written on 2008-05-16

"If RR is so great, then why does he invest so much into putting down AA? As my old karate teacher Johny Rochette used to say, "don't badmouth other styles," (other martial arts), and "you do not need to brag about how good you smell, you let the perfume carry the message." In our state, the ACLU has banned/barred the courts from ordering to AA meetings. Mr. Trimpey's message is mute, and he should stick with what he is good at, RET/CBT, and leave other recovery programs alone. And maybe he should try a dose of his own medicine? Their is a thinking error called "victim stance," and he had a treatment center closed down by the state, a few decades ago, due to poor management, and he is still sore about it? He seems to still have his own "BEAST" voice in his head?"
~ Written on 2008-03-16