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Rating: 
Summary: Vital
Review: Alcoholism and drug addiction are the only two pathologies (character traits) that tell you, you don't have them. If you think you might have a problem, you do! If you do then I would suggest two books to read, "Alcoholics Anonymous" or "The Tao of Sobriety"--if you're serious about getting sober. David Gregson's and Jay Efran's new book "The Tao of Sobriety" has captured the pain, lonliness and absurd (comic) insanity of alcoholism and drug addiction with compassion and insight. It is a book that should give hope and courage to anyone struggling with addictions. You owe it to yourself to take the time and read it. Its simple straight forward suggestions just might save your life.
Rating:
Summary: The Tao of Sobriety
Review: Although a therapist and a student of Zen practice for over 25 years, this book gave me a deeper level of compassion for people who suffer a life of addiction. I was impressed with how direct and yet nuturing the book spoke to the everyday difficulties of a person suffering from addiction.I found the exercises and the related discussions practical, realistic and powerful. This book can help addicts and their loved ones to experience the great joy of substance free, moment to moment living. As a family member who has experienced the pain of another family member's addiction, it help me to change my interactions, conversations and start a new relationship based on honest expression and loving actions. Read it, apply it and this book with change you!
Rating: 
Summary: darn good but
Review: excellent suggestions for getting hold of the reins of loving sobriety...a wee lack of understanding of AA's philosophy as the authors mention the 'disease' is looked at as biological and physiological by AA and not dealt with as a disease of the 'mind' yet it's clearly written in the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous on page 23 that alcoholism is a 'disease of the mind primarily' (2nd sentence of 1st paragraph) ... the authors also say 'alcohol and drugs' when alcohol is one of the major drugs...nicotine and alcohol are the worst of the bunch... whereas booze is more dramatic and devestating ruining many lives of loved ones,nicotine slaughters many more slowly chipping away at lives until it's too late and many a drunk has dumped the habit left not able to get off nicotine...the authors use the wrong minded terms 'clean and sober'...you'll see that term in NA literature and it's big among the rehabilitation centers but there's no 'clean'...it's the big rehabilitation center and counselor type 'lie'...no where in AA literature will you find the term 'clean'...'clean with caffeine and nicotine' you will hear in AA but even that's dwindling as the rehabilitation business detrimentially effects AA...one must alter ones mood chemically everyday of their lives...the only question is 'what chemical' do they use or abuse ?...sugar, anger, caffeine, workaholism (the biggest and most rewarded addiction of all...addiction is doing what i want to do repeadedly because i want to do it and i do it to the exclusion of 'wholeness'), judgementalness, nicotine, cocaine, booze, weed, heroine, aspirin, submissiveness, shyness, self-righteousness...all physical, psychological, mental, emotional, spiritual, emotional, social 'states' have their attending 'chemicals' shooting through the body...there's no way anyone can't alter their mood with chemicals daily...many of the non-external chemicals are worse than the external chemicals taken into the body...i dare say the authors were probably 'jacked up', worn out, anticipatory and struggling with pride and work all during the making of this book...no such things as 'clean and sober'...there's only 'sober' as first proposed by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob...they'd probably be appalled at the term 'clean' and even more shocked by the corruption of AA and long term sobriety by the authors and rehabilitation centers cashing in on a human phenomena...good techniques in this book but a fundamental ignorance of the dynamics of sobriety...it's striking the lack of understanding among psychologists/counselor types/addiction experts towards their own 'field'...could be because most of them haven't lived the addicts life or hit bottom themselves...especially the 'self talk' therapists...good book though...i trust 'take what you need and leave the rest'is practiced by all who read this lovely book...jsmith@fastmail.com
Rating:
Summary: Extremely helpful
Review: I found "The Tao of Sobriety" to be extremely helpful on several counts. With over 20 years experience in the substance abuse treatment field, I found Gregson and Efran articulating ideas that I'd been working with in a coherent and practical framework. Their section on establishing "innocence in spirit" among patients who are plagued with guilt about their addiction is especially powerful and has been well received by several of my patients. The use of actual exercises makes the book useful as well as stimulating. The message of this book is relevant whether one is working a 12-Step program, (in which case it fits neatly into the "prayer and meditation" of the 11th Step), or is seeking an alternative approach to recovery. In fact, most of the concepts have relevance beyond the substance abuse area, and have already found a way into my practice with both addicted and non-addicted patients. I recommend this book highly.
Rating:
Summary: Misleading Title
Review: The title of this book is misleading, it is not about Taoism and Sobriety, it is about Buddhism and Sobriety. The first hundred pages or so are extremely well written, but as a Taoist myself I was disappointed to find yet another book in which Buddhists attempted to proselytize their beliefs in the name of Taoism. There is a difference whether Buddhists are willing to admit it or not. At the very least they should have noted the central Buddhist theme of the book on the cover somewhere. That experienced councilors and PHDs wrote such a misleading title only strengthens my suspicions that PHD stands for "Piled Higher and Deeper."
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