To Hell and Back: A Surgeon's Story of Addiction: 12 Prescriptions for Awareness

by Steven B. Heird MD, FACS

Overview

Here, in this raw account of one doctor's journey to Hell and back ... is the "prescription" that could save the life of someone you love. Addiction can affect anyone - of any occupation, education, or social class. The most common denominator among all addicts though ... is that they once thought it could never happen to them. As Head of the Department of Vascular Surgery at a large community hospital, Dr. Steve Heird was well aware of all this. Yet even as he wrote one illegal prescription after another - all for himself - he refused to believe he had a problem. He was in control. It could never happen to him. But the day came when - tired of playing a game of cat-and-mouse with the DEA, and finally ready to accept help with his problem - Steve had to face his family and go into rehab. Everything that mattered to him - his family, his career, his lifestyle - was on the line, and he risked losing it all, to serve a ten-year prison sentence. "That was one of the worst days of my life" he now says. "I had hurt the people I loved most. I felt overwhelmed with shame and self-loathing. How could I have screwed up so badly?" But there's a silver lining to the cloud that followed Dr. Heird all those years. His personal healing has led to the creation of a system of strategies for recognizing the warning signs - whether in yourself or others - and overcoming any addictions, along with the fear and self-doubt that feed them. In this entertaining and inspiring true-life account, and through his Prescriptions For Awareness healing program, Dr. Heird proves beyond a doubt that NOBODY is entirely "above the reach" of addiction, and no addict need ever feel doomed to remain forever within its grasp.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781630472344
Publisher:	Morgan James Publishing
Publication date:	01/13/2015
Pages:	250
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Steven B. Heird, MD, FACS holds certifications in general surgery and the specialty of vascular surgery. He has devoted his skills and expertise to his private practice while expanding his spiritual and holistic approaches to life and medicine. After a stay in a rehabilitation hospital to overcome the power of addiction, Dr. Heird is enlightened to share his message of hope and recovery through a spiritual light which emanates from his passion for public speaking, group discussions and interviews for local publications.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Snapshot of a Perfect Life Chapter 2: My Secret Is Out Chapter 3: Closing In Chapter 4: The Turkey Farmer's Son Chapter 5: A Glimmer of an Idea Chapter 6: Buckling Down Chapter 7: Work Hard Chapter 8: Play Hard Chapter 9: Rocky Mountain High Chapter 10: Guadalajara Chapter 11: Cars and Craziness Chapter 12: The Bubble Chapter 13: Residency and a Serious Relationship Chapter 14: A Sobering Wake-up Call Chapter 15: Beginning Married Life and Residency Chapter 16: Birth and Death Chapter 17: Buildup to a Breaking Point Chapter 18: Detox Chapter 19: Heal Thyself Chapter 20: The Awakening Chapter 21: Clean and Sober Chapter 22: Endings and Beginnings

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

In "To Hell and Back", Steve Heird is refreshingly honest about his struggles with addiction as a well-respected physician. His humble nature, sense of humor, and raw honesty are inspiring, and his insights on healing and awareness will help many who are struggling in their darkest days to hold out for the hope and light available to us all. —Dina Proctor, best-selling author of "Madly Chasing Peace: How I Went from Hell to Happy in Nine Minutes a Day"

When you lose your way on the journey of life, his mottoes to live by will guide you through the difficult times and help you to find your way. Dr. Steven Heird's experience can be your life coach and the guide you require so your pain becomes the labor pain of your self-birth. —Bernie Siegel, M.D., author of "A Book of Miracles" and "The Art of Healing"

In your hands is a prescription unlike any you have ever had before. Once you read this book you will have something "refillable" that will never run out for a life you absolutely love living. This book is medicine for your Soul. —Mary Morrissey, best-selling author of "No Less Than Greatness" and "Building Your Field of Dreams"

I have had the honor of working with Dr. Heird in various capacities. Finding his way from addiction to recovery, this surgeon has turned his powerful and effective method of healing and transformation into a series of prescriptions that will guide others to the truth about their addictions. "To Hell and Back" will light the path to extinguish the fear and self-doubt that come with the power of addiction and will lead one to self-love, self-trust, and freedom from limitation. —Esperanza Universal, attorney, spiritual teacher, S.O.U.L. Institute Inc. [www.soulinstitute.com]

If you're looking for a light to guide your path from addiction to recovery, "To Hell and Back" will shine a healing truth to help you find your way. This surgeon's story of addiction is sure to teach you the power of perseverance and the importance of awareness. —Michael Harris, best-selling author and business coach

Receive a prescription like no other with this candid and enlivening story of one surgeon's path from addiction to recovery. Take time to nurture your soul with this honest account of the importance of awareness when it matters most. —Gay Hendricks, Ph.D., author of "The Big Leap" and "Conscious Loving"

Wow what a journey Steven. A journey that took me into a mental movie seeing every part of your story as you expressed it so vividly, the story came alive for me. Powerful, personal, authentic and gutsy—real narration that we can all relate to as humans, as healthcare professionals, and as people seeking fulfillment from the outside-in. Thank you for your courage in sharing your life learnings so openly with the world. I agree 100% with your Twelve Prescriptions.

What kept jolting me out of the movie scenes while reading the book were the revelations neatly built into the text, that made me STOP and ponder, deeply. I quote some of those Moments of Truth from your book:

"I was convinced that getting ahead would make me happy. When I get there, then it's going to all feel perfect. For some reason, I was never satisfied."

"That tiny obstacle to learning the truth gave me a good excuse to remain in denial."

"Being an addict doesn't suppress the goodness within you. It temporarily sequesters what you fear so you don't have to deal with it."

"This small thought of gratitude seemed to create the smallest crack of light in my consciousness. My mind's eye began to experience a stream of images."

"My tears flowed. I'm okay just the way I am? I don't need to do anything to be loved? I'm loved! I know it and feel it! I am LOVED! I AM love! I became one with that love at that moment."

Dr. Heird's book is a must read for everyone seeking personal growth, self-redemption, and connection with others and the Divine Power. While underpinning that we are mere mortal humans, living only to express our souls' higher purpose on this Earth—which is to eventually reconnect with The One, The Origin, The Destiny of Love. —Dr. Hisham Abdalla, best-selling author of "4D Leadership: Master the 4D's of Success and Live your Dreams"