Under the Influence: A Guide to the Myths and Realities of Alcoholism

when i went into treatment for alcoholism 27 yrs ago at the age of 27 i never realized how bad i really was,and i was scared of what was happening to me. This book explains alot about the disease-Yes IT IS A DISEASE- and helped me along with my treatment to understand what i was going through.I have been sober for 27 yrs, and have been very grateful to have been able to stay sober and live a happy life.Please get this book if you think you have a problem or know someone who does. It talks about the early,middle,and late stages and it really hits home.

This is a fantastic book if you want to know Alcoholism. This book will make you think twice when you see an alcoholic person, or if someone close to was an or is an alcoholic. It's a clear point of view book. I do recommend this book who want to learn more about it!

Author James Milam has repeatedly explained in his other writings and in hundreds of public lectures on addiction that important new discoveries like his own often come in the form of a new gestalt, a new configuration. His book, Under the Influence (UI), is a revolutionary classic because it winnows the wheat from the abundant chaff of the alcoholism literature to reveal just such a clear perception of the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Faithfully grounded in hard scientific and clinical evidence, the text has the unmistakable ring of authenticity. As a timeless classic it will always stand alone without need for revision, update or sequel Readers need to know that all other books claiming to be updates or sequels still express the more popular establishment view that psychosocial inadequacies and excesses are contributing causes of alcoholism that alcoholism is merely the upper end of the range of self-inflicted problem drinking. Plausible because popular, this seemingly innocent common presumption is the direct opposite of the truth that defines UI. Readers of UI who have an alcohol or drug problem, along with the others inevitably caught up in their misery, soon realize that this extraordinary little book is uncannily all about them. As they resonate with this self-portrait they know with certainty that it provides the authentic liberating view of their affliction that they have so urgently needed. It replaces stigma and guilt with enlightened self-interest as the far more effective motivation for total abstinence. Multitudes of alcoholics and other drug addicts have already demonstrated that it uniquely provides a clear understanding and unwavering guide to full recovery.

Wow

Very interesting theory on alcoholism and the root cause. Every person with the disease should read this.

As a person afflicted with alcoholism in recovery this book was very enlightening. Detailing how alcohol effects the body and mind at the cellular level. How the disease is hereditary, not causeed by a weakness of character

This book gives a thorough discussion of the physiological aspects of the disease of alcoholism. Excellent info.

Very insightful account about the physiological, not psychological causes of alcoholism. Although 30 years old, "Under the Influence" is a very informative read. It emphasizes that alcoholism is a disease, not a personality flaw. I highly recommend it to anyone who desires enlightenment in this disease. John B.

This book is by far the most in-depth I've read on alcoholism, and what it does to the body and personality of the drinker. I highly recommend.

This book is a must read if you suffer you or someone you care about have a drinking problem. It really makes you understand how and why people become addicted and how the addiction has control over the person. I have learned so much from this book and can better understand the phases and reality of alcoholism. It makes you see the addiction from the inside out. What it does to our cells and the adaptation process. How our bodies will build a tolerence and then eventually break down. I bought this book after I read a review on another book and they recommended this one instead. I am so glad I read the review or I would have never known this book was out there. I am going to buy more copies so I can help and educate people I care about.

I have never understood why people over indulged in alcohol. I figured they could stop any time with the proper treatment. This book explained why this is not true. It is not always under their control. A real eye opener.

I was amazed after reading this book. It is very thorough. It explains how alcohol affects the human body and its consequences. My hat goes off to the author for writing this powerful book.

A must-read for everyone. Brings clarity to a sea of confusion. Provides hope, direction, answers. Makes alcoholism understandable. This book essentially changed my life. This book should be the standard for all prevention and treatment programs.

I ADORE THIS BOOK . This book healed my heart,broken over my father's[Richard] abuse and death in/by alcohol. The authors give the science on the physiological causes of alcohol abuse and lose of life and hope. I recommend it to ALL so everyone can understand. We all need to understand. I will continue to buy give and support this book. I have been sober 21 years. This is my all time favorite. It heals and assists Claire

I am a sad woman, whom has lost her husband to alcoholism. A dear and recovered alcoholic has passed this wonderful book onto me. If every drinker would read it and learn from it, we could have a much more loving world. It still amazes me that drinking is legal.I have lost the best friend in the world to this disease.

Before reading this book I was still a proud drinker,believing my incredible tolerance for drinking alcohol proved I would never get in trouble with my drinking.This books leaves a drunk with little doubt how destructive and DECIEVING tolerance really is!

This publication is timeless in it's value and information. As a certified drug and alcohol addiction specialist and trainer, this is required reading for all students who attend the CAARR Institute and for those who are just interested in increasing their knowledge base. It plainly details the early, middle and late stages of the progression of alcoholism and its biopsychosocial effects. A must read!!

As a registered nurse that has worked adolescent psych and drug and alcohol recovery (along with watching loved ones die from the disease of alcoholism) I am so glad to have been given this book from a friend. It gives tremendous support for the need for treatment and improved education. This book is full of information that helps keep the loved one in your heart. Medical facts make it clear this is not about character defect but truly a disease on a physiological level.