Cool, Hip & Sober: 88 Ways to Beat Booze and Drugs

Bill Manville knows about battling booze--getting drunk, staying drunk, getting sober, relapsing, and, finally, staying sober for more than 20 years. Host of a talk show, Addictions & Answers, Manville writes in Q&A format, addressing his questioners' concerns about alcohol and drug abuse and recovery. Many are in denial about their alcoholism--despite waking up with strangers and losing jobs and relationships or think that life won't be any fun without a drink in both hands. Manville pulls no punches setting them straight. Despite his been-there-done-that, witty, sometimes confrontational style, he remains caring and positive. His advice is based on his own experience as a lush ("you hate the glass in your hand, pray to God not to drink it, and lift it to your lips and gulp it down anyway") and a devotee of Alcoholics Anonymous and residential treatment programs. He often brings in experts to supplement his advice. The section on formal interventions is worth the price of the book by itself. Highly recommended both for people who think that their alcohol or drug habit might be a problem and for their family and friends. --Joan Price