Author: Joyce Dunn

ISBN: 1-59800-205-8

The following review was contributed by: Sue Vogan:To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here

Joyce Dunn is a registered nurse and licensed massage therapist. She shares her 13-years of working as an alcoholism/chemical dependency nurse. This book is sometimes funny, sometimes, sad, but always entertaining. If you don't complete this read and walk away renewed, you need to reread it. We all have demons and most of us are in denial -- keeping our personal demons at bay.

Is it sympathy or empathy? Hopefully, you will know the difference should you ever meet up with a "Gina." Gina was a college student who found the treatment center by way of a caring nun. Gina convinced Joyce and others that she wanted sobriety. The lesson Dunn learned is that you never work harder than the patient. Sympathy is "Oh you poor thing." Empathy is, "What can I do to help?"

It takes all kinds is an understatement. Rick and Rex, for instance, were totally different, except for the reason they were at the treatment facility. Rick was gay; Rex was a railroad employee who enjoyed telling off-color jokes and stories. Rick reached sobriety and Rex, well, they never saw him again. John was different yet. He was a real estate salesman who felt he had to maintain his "professional image." He was good at sidestepping anything he didn't want to discuss or question he didn't want to answer.

Dunn explains what true sobriety is. Just because you no longer drink or use chemicals doesn't mean you are completely sober. The term used at AA is a "dry drunk." "True sobriety involves embracing spirituality in some form." Summed up, one active AA member says, "It requires that you be honest with yourself and others and keep your word."

People enter a treatment center for different reasons. Sherry was no exception. She and her boyfriend had been drinking, an argument ensued, and the boyfriend stormed out. Sherry was devastated and decided to commit suicide. She fetched a belt, fixed it to the shower rod, and before she could hang herself, she fell and landed in the commode. She was convinced that she couldn't do anything right, including killing herself, and sought help.

Not everyone has a happy ending. Take Earl, for example. He was fifty, a newly diagnosed diabetic, and refused to take insulin. After Joyce spoke with him and presented diabetic information, Earl had a change of heart. He decided that insulin just might be good for him along with sobriety. Before his treatment program was completed, the police came to speak with Earl's counselor. Seems that Earl had gotten into some serious trouble with the law and was taken into custody. From there, he was sent to the state penitentiary. No one heard from Earl after that.

From this book, I learned how AA was born and the twelve steps to managing a demon. It's a must-have read for anyone battling, thinking of battling, or who may ever battle a demon -- alcohol, chemical or otherwise.