Enlightening and Inspirational
Sarah Stephan, A reviewer, 02/14/2007

During the past few weeks, I read a book given to me. The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure - A Holistic Approach to Total Recovery by Chris Prentiss is one of the most enlightening books that I have ever read - not because of his views of alcohol and drug dependency and their causes, but because the book informed me that these views are relatively new to the world of addiction therapy. Chris believes that drug and alcohol dependent people don't have an incurable disease. Dependency is 100% curable. Alcoholics and drug addicts are simply trying to cope with the world in which they live. Their coping mechanisms just happen to be alcohol and drugs. And alcohol and drugs work very well - regardless of whether or not they will eventually kill you. I always thought it was obvious. Apparently not. So, I will help Chris spread the word, and promote his book as well. The book itself is great. It is easy to read and full of warmth, very chatty. It is a wealth of information both for dependent people and for their therapists. This book makes a great reference source. The third chapter is written by Chris's son, Pax. Pax was addicted to heroine, cocaine and alcohol for ten years. Chris got him clean forty times. This chapter is Pax's story and it is as heartening and illuminating as it is appalling. Once Pax discovered the reason for his dependency and he and Chris were able to cure it, they opened a rehabilitation centre for dependency treatment in Malibu called Passages. It has the highest success rate of any dependency treatment center in the world.

A must read for anyone struggling with alcohol, substance, and/or drug problems
Gary, A reviewer, 06/26/2006

The cost of this book is so inexpensive considering its value. The author's easy reading style describes a slowly emerging truth about addiction. After so many years of alcohol and crack-cocaine addiction I was saved by a similiar view on addictions by another treatment center. If you keep telling addicts that they are diseased and powerless what do you expect from them in the way of recovery? This book offers a permanent solution, and for those that are ready to quit it rings true.

Also recommended: Any of Stanton Peele's books

A book that can create a breakthrough for you
A reviewer, A reviewer, 04/16/2006

This book is vital for anyone who is struggling with alcoholism or addiction or has a loved one who is. You will not only find hope, but you’ll find practical steps you can take right now to create a breakthrough. This book changed my entire perspective on alcoholism and addiction. Like many people, I thought they were incurable illnesses, and that it was always a long road back to recovery—if you ever made it back. Recently, I was at a seminar and started a conversation with the couple sitting next to me. When I asked the man his name, he told me his name and then immediately said, “I’m an alcoholic. I’ve been sober for 24 years.” He said it was still a daily struggle for him to stay sober. What’s amazing about this book is that it is based on a new program that is changing this paradigm completely. It’s based on the successful program from Passages, a treatment center in Malibu, where the success rate is 84.4%, while traditional therapies have a relapse rate as high as 80 or 90%. This book shows how to discover the real, underlying causes of dependency and says that once they are identified and cured, the need for alcohol or drugs is no longer there, because the reason people are turning to them is no longer there. As the author explains, the real causes can be anything from hypoglycemia, attention deficit disorder, thyroid or brainwave pattern imbalances to deep emotional pain. Another key to the success of the program spelled out in this book is that it emphasizes one-one-one treatments rather than group meetings, which clearly aren’t successful. The book tells you exactly which practitioners and doctors to work with to create your own one-on-one program with professionals right where you live. The author suggests using both traditional medical and complementary therapies. What is also remarkable is that those who have been through this program say they no longer struggle to stay sober. Don’t be surprised that the concepts in this book are controversial. New breakthroughs always are. But you can’t argue with the success this approach is having. I’ve recommended this book to many people because I’ve been so impressed with it.

A unique book
Rachael, A reviewer, 12/26/2005

This book is all about healing...and healing holistically, which appeals to me. The author has real experience about how alcoholism and addiction can affect a person, and his own son's experience is covered in one of the chapters. I appreciate the way that they are described as dependencies, and how effective treatment must focus on healing the underlying causes of the dependency. People who have these conditions can often be stereotyped in society. As many of us know, dependency can happen to anyone. I am buying this book for those family and friends who I know will find this book a source of inspiration and healing. It is also great for people who are supportive of people who suffer with these conditions. Give this book serious consideration. Learn how to cure yourself, or provide support for your loved one who is seeking a cure.

This book will save lives
A reviewer (nigel@publishingcoaches.com), a publishing coach, 11/15/2005

Having had a family member who was once addicted to cocaine, I found this book insightful, uplifting and empowering. The author tells the story of his son's 10-year addiction to heroin, cocaine and alcohol. What is so amazing is that the author never accepts the platitudes about alcoholism & addiction and never gives up on his son, Pax. He debunks the myths that 'alcoholism and addiction are diseases' and 'once an addict always an addict' and shows us that 'relapse is NOT part of recovery' but part of a system of treatment that doesn't work because it doesn't treat the real causes of alcoholism & addiction. After fighting his son's demons for 10 years, the father helped his son finally figure out the underlying conditions that were causing his abuse of drugs and alcohol. That opened the way to Pax's cure. Chris and Pax then opened their own recovery center in Malibu, CA, so they could help cure others. They have an 84.4 % success rate where traditional treatments have a relapse rate as high as 80 or 90%. This wonderful book shows how you can develop your own personalized, holistic treatment program (uses integrative medicine--traditional plus the best of alternative medicine) with practitioners right where you live. The Alcoholism & Addiction Cure reveals the three steps to permanent sobriety and the four causes of dependency. If people buy this book for loved ones who have problems with drugs and alcohol, many lives will be saved.

Also recommended: The Tender Bar