The Useful Lie

Over the last 30 years, I have read a lot of books on recovery. All the AA books and literature, the NA basic text, Stanton Peeles books, Herbert Finagerette book on "Heavy Drinking", as well as Dick B.'s books on AA history.


However, I think the best book I have read about alcoholism/addiction is a small booklet called "The Useful Lie" by William Playfair. It is a very simple clearly written book and almost without exception the information contained within it is true. Here is an excerpt from the book below as well as a link to it.

LINK


"So it is with the addiction recovery industry. I have no doubts about the sincere intentions and well-meaning efforts of many who work in this area. Most really do want to help the alcoholic and the drug addict and may sacrifice a great deal to do so. As it turns out, however, their efforts are seriously misguided.

Surprising as it may seem, the recovery industry, as a whole, is not helping, but actually hurting the people it is trying to help" excertpt from The Useful Lie by Willian Playfair ,M.D.