Whether your life has been impacted by a loved one’s addiction or you are in recovery yourself, learning about this disease can be a source of emotional support. Get started on your journey by picking up one (or more) of the six best addiction and recovery books we’ve read.

Living Sober by Anonymous

This 2002 book addresses the fact that recovery is not a phase to pass through, but rather a new lifestyle. It also focuses on how to live a sober life. If you’re just starting your journey, this volume of essential information from Alcoholics Anonymous will help you envision what your days will look like in recovery.

Codependent No More by Melodie Beattie

Treating codependency is often an integral part of addiction treatment, and one that often involves the individual’s partner and family members. Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself, which was groundbreaking when it was published in 1986, remains the cornerstone of healing from codependency. You’ll be able to understand whether you are in a codependent relationship, learn from the experiences of others, and complete workbook exercises and personal reflections to support your recovery.

Integral Recovery by John Dupuy

This book is currently the most comprehensive volume on holistic recovery and creating a fruitful life beyond addiction. Many reviewers call Integral Recovery the bible of mapping a holistic recovery for your mind, body, and spirit. This is a book you’ll refer to again and again as you begin to live a sober life.

This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol by Annie Grace

Reviewers say this book reframes sobriety as a choice rather than as a consequence, a dichotomy that many struggling with addiction must face early in the recovery process. Published in 2015, This Naked Mind explores the societal norms associated with alcohol and draws on the latest addiction research to create a thorough understanding about how one shapes the other.

Meditation as Medicine by Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D. and Cameron Stauth

Meditation is often mentioned as a component of a successful holistic recovery. But how exactly do we meditate, and how does it work? Meditation as Medicine: Activate the Power of Your Natural Healing Force delves into Kundalini yoga, which combines aspects of meditation and yoga. Not only does it explain the benefits of this practice, it also includes instructional exercises that can help you get started, even if you’re completely new to this method of relaxation.

Recover to Live by Christopher Kennedy Lawford

Lawford, the goodwill ambassador for drug dependence treatment and care for the United Nations, wrote this book in 2014 after 25 years in recovery. He shares what he’s learned in his personal recovery journey and in his role as an international advocate for addiction treatment. Recover to Live: Kick Any Habit, Manage Any Addiction: Your Self-Treatment Guide to Alcohol, Drugs, Eating Disorders, Gambling, Hoarding, Smoking, Sex and Porn  also includes advice from 100 of the world’s top addiction experts to shape your self-care strategy during recovery, making it one of the most comprehensive books on addiction and recovery.

In addition to these books, view our list of recovery podcasts to support you in the lifelong journey of addiction recovery.