Rating: 
Summary: Was easy to see myself in her words
Review: I've known for a few years now that my drinking was not normal. I never left a drink unfinished, never sat down to have ONE drink. However, I'm very turned off by the AA, Big Book thumping clones. Those who make it work for them (God bless 'em), often seem to transfer their alcohol addiction to coffee or cigarettes or religion or 12-step programs. I've wanted to stop, wanted to admit that there's a problem, but I don't think I need to apologize to everyone I've ever known and add "...and I'm an alcohol" to the end of every introduction. Susan seems to have adopted much of the Rational Recovery concept and has added a wealth of nutritional and physiological information. After listening to the description of how my body processes alcohol, I actually don't want to drink. It scared me, it made me rethink, and so far it's working. The only downside to this audio book seems to be a bit of Catholic bashing (not that I'm even Catholic, it's just unnecessary) and a little too much "I'm successful," "I have money," "I'm famous," "I'm rich," "I'm independent," "I'm wealthy." However, I'm grateful that she's given an easy to understand lesson on the physical reaction to alcohol and I do reccommend this book to anyone struggling to find a way to conquer that voice inside you that says "wouldn't a drink be great right now."
Rating: 
Summary: A toxic wasteland of self-serving editorialism.
Review: Is she indeed sober?Apart from being free from intoxicants such as alcohol or drugs, the primary definition of sobriety relates to soundness of mind; moderation in manner, temper, and conduct. If you were to fast-forward to the occasional gems of solid nutritional advice, no harm would be done. Perhaps there is only a 12% success rate in fellowships such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and Chemically Dependent Anonymous. Not one of these fellowships, however, subject those seeking recovery to the adolescent whining and diatribes that Ms. Powter adopts as her style. Carl Jung recognized that in order for the alcoholic to achieve sobriety, a psychic change must occur. A complete change in behavior, thought, and manner must be desired and learned. Working the twelve steps of these 12 step recovery programs is probably one of the best (and most demanding) behavior modification programs there is. Satisfying recovery can even be attained without having to adopt a particular religious program. The only behavior modification suggested by Ms. Powter in this book is to adopt a nutritional plan which is shamelessly hustled and packaged by the author in this printed "infomercial". Most alcoholics and addicts who stay sober come to realize the importance of proper nutrition and exercise. They go to gyms and exercise classes; they work on diet modification with the help of books such as "Prescriptions for Nutritional Healing"; they learn stress reducing and coping mechanisms such as yoga, meditation and prayer. Their lives are enriched by sharing their experience, strength, and hope with alcoholics and addicts who still suffer. More than anything else, alcoholics and addicts in active recovery recognize that the nature of their recovery is physical, mental, and spiritual. To emphasize one aspect of this trifold approach to the exclusion of others can be dangerous. Ms. Powter is correct in stating that the nutritional and physical aspects of recovery is not immediately obvious. She simply did not stay around long enough to find out from other recovering alcoholics and addicts what they do for their physical recovery. If you can get past the writing style and delivery, and recognize her self-serving sales pitch for what it is, this book can serve as an amusing adjunct to a recovery program. For a desperate alcoholic or addict who is reaching for hope, the author's attitude, approach, and denigration of 12 step recovery programs could deter that person from the only approach that has helped millions. Maybe the recovery rate of 12 step programs is only 12%, but it is a higher success rate than any other. What your success rate, Ms. Powter?
Rating:
Summary: a god send for all alcholics & their families
Review: it's incouraging to those who have been looking for somthing that will really work. I pray this works for my husband who is in a treatment center . keep up the good work, susan!
Rating:
Summary: Doubtful to say the least
Review: Of course exercise and diet are important but this book is a sham.
Rating:
Summary: Susan Powter shows her ignorance once again !
Review: Please if you read this book , do not let her message defer you from the teachings and principles of AA. yes we all know that one needs to better their health physically, but how about spiritually and mentally emotionally. these are problems as well for alcoholics . Alcohol is but a symptom of the disease there are others that must be dealt with and Susan is out for your money . Does she have over 10 million recovered on her program? is there a fellowship for her followers? no they will probably be left in absolute isolation with a book she wrote to get your money and maybe convince you do go on a diet. Shame on you Susan!
Rating:
Summary: I obtained a new-found respect for Susan Powter.
Review: Susan articulated what I have been feeling for years about the chain-smoking, sugar-eating, coffee-guzzling, Big Book thumping recovery community I found myself associated with. I did not stay sober. After reading the book, I feel there is hope now. I can get the whole picture of recovery and wellness. As a 30 year old male who has been trying to stay quit for over a decade to no avail, I'm greatful to you Susan!!! Thank you.
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Summary: SHE DID IT AGAIN!!! THIS WOMAN KNOWS HOW TO MOVTIVATE!!
Review: Susan Powter is a blessing to us. I picked up her book because I've read all of her books and she is so articulate. I myself am not a drinker but nutrition conscious and I have many alcoholics in my large family. I really believed that alcoholism was a character defect. Not anymore!! She explains how our body chemistry reacts to glucose when ingested wheather it is alcohol or a piece of pie. Obesity, alcoholism, coffee addition, drug addiction are all connected and Susan spells this all out to us!! Not that this plan will make all alcoholics recover. For goodness sakes, it could be used along with the support of AA. I wish she wouldn't slam the organization so much because these are all positive steps to a healthier life!!
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Summary: Simple solutions CAN work
Review: Susan Powters premise is simple. However, if you listen to her words, her personal story, you'll understand that even the simplest of tasks can seem overwhelming, but they are not impossible. She shares her experiences with AA and exposes that program's complete lack of growth since its inception. She feels that alternative therapies do exist and are working, but that their availability is limited due to the AA-based rehab business. I found her nutritional advice helpful and her story inspirational. She does simplify the process, but I believe this is one of the best things about it. A complicated plan is likely to keep many from even attempting to try. There is no cure offered in this book. It is a collection of nutritional and physiological tips intended to help the reader overcome the body's physical and mental need for alcohol. Twelve-steppers beware, this book is not for you. It is not about how to live the rest of your life in a constant, day-to-day struggle with alcohol. It is about how to recover and move on to a blissfully normal existence. Susan's contention that it is not necessary for someone to hit rock bottom in order to get help is right on target. So often people are made to feel that if they have not surrendered completely to the disease, they can never get recover. Nothing could be further from the truth. Would we ever tell a cancer patient to submit to the cancer before they can get better? Would we ever tell them they are powerless to fight? Of course not and that is what Susan wants the reader to discover about themselves. YOU are the most powerful person in YOUR life. You have to fight for your life and no one can do it but you. Susan's message will inspire and encourage those struggling with addiction.
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Summary: This may kill people who really need help...
Review: Susan's voice and mannerisms are annoying. So what? She has little formal education and sometimes mispronounces words. Who cares? She charges for the information rather than giving it away. Not important. She can do research; she has passion; she is motivated to communicate what she learns; she does not pussyfoot around. And she saved my life. Although recovered now, I was an active alcoholic for most of my adult life, taking my first drink at age 22 and quickly becoming addicted. For the next 25 years, with brief sober periods, my evenings and weekends were spent drinking. Like many alcoholics I was able to keep a good job, moving up the management ranks--but could not manage the rest of my life. I went to AA several times but never felt part of it. I was embarrassed, and the prospect of publicly confessing my sins before strangers and loved ones was anathema to me. AA is a decent organization. (It worked for my dad.) Still, the 12-step process only works for twelve percent of the people who try it; did you know that? I was one of the eighty-eight percent for whom it did not work. By December of 1997 I was a late-stage alcoholic, certain that there was no way I would ever get sober, and that I probably had less than a year to live. In truth, this was OK with me. Then I found Susan Powter's book. The first night I managed to read a couple of chapters before passing out. The second night I started the book again, read it from beginning to end in one sitting, poured out my entire supply of alcohol, and have not wanted a drink since. I bought the audiotape and listened to it during my daily commute for a month, to ensure that the information was burned into my brain. I created a concise, 2-page summary of what I learned, both in Susan's book and through additional research, and have shared the information with many people...who have shared it with their own loved ones. All this from Susan's book!
Rating:
Summary: This book saved my life
Review: Susan's voice and mannerisms are annoying. So what? She has little formal education and sometimes mispronounces words. Who cares? She charges for the information rather than giving it away. Not important. She can do research; she has passion; she is motivated to communicate what she learns; she does not pussyfoot around. And she saved my life. Although recovered now, I was an active alcoholic for most of my adult life, taking my first drink at age 22 and quickly becoming addicted. For the next 25 years, with brief sober periods, my evenings and weekends were spent drinking. Like many alcoholics I was able to keep a good job, moving up the management ranks--but could not manage the rest of my life. I went to AA several times but never felt part of it. I was embarrassed, and the prospect of publicly confessing my sins before strangers and loved ones was anathema to me. AA is a decent organization. (It worked for my dad.) Still, the 12-step process only works for twelve percent of the people who try it; did you know that? I was one of the eighty-eight percent for whom it did not work. By December of 1997 I was a late-stage alcoholic, certain that there was no way I would ever get sober, and that I probably had less than a year to live. In truth, this was OK with me. Then I found Susan Powter's book. The first night I managed to read a couple of chapters before passing out. The second night I started the book again, read it from beginning to end in one sitting, poured out my entire supply of alcohol, and have not wanted a drink since. I bought the audiotape and listened to it during my daily commute for a month, to ensure that the information was burned into my brain. I created a concise, 2-page summary of what I learned, both in Susan's book and through additional research, and have shared the information with many people...who have shared it with their own loved ones. All this from Susan's book!
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