Simple Sh!t for Complicated People: From Chaos to Clarity: A Guide to Sobriety, Sanity, and Living Free without Drugs and Alcohol - Softcover

Hayward, Jeff

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1069831905 ISBN 13: 9781069831903

Publisher: Simple Theory, 2025

Synopsis

One year from now, you’ll either still be stuck… or finally free. This book shows you how to make sure it’s the second one.

This isn’t your typical recovery book—it’s a messy, honest conversation for people who loved the chaos, tried to “just stop” one too many times, and are ready to be the boss of their own chaos, not just a customer of it.

Waking up exhausted and going to bed defeated doesn’t have to be your story anymore. A year from now, you could still be dragging guilt, dread, and shame into another day… or you could wake up clear, grounded, and actually excited to live. The year will pass either way—the question is, which version of you will be there when it does?

Grounded in modern psychology and transformative recovery philosophy, Simple Sh!t for Complicated People gives you the tools to uncover the values, habits, and patterns hijacked by substances and survival strategies. It breaks down the complex theories of psychology and behavioural science into real-life tools you can actually use—no jargon, no fluff, just straight talk that sticks when life gets hard.

Learn how to:

• Build tolerance for discomfort and stay grounded through it.
• Recognize what’s really driving your choices.
• Reclaim control over your story—messy, imperfect, and unstoppable.

Written by someone who’s been in the fight and for those still swinging, this book cuts through clichés, guilt, and recovery dogma. It’s time to end the toxic love affair with drugs and alcohol and start a real relationship—with yourself. Because it was never about the substances… it’s about learning how to feel fully alive without them.

If you’re ready to take an honest look at your drinking or drug use, if you’re tired of trying to “just stop,” or if you’re supporting someone you love through the chaos—this book is your green light to freedom, clarity, and the real you.

About this title

About the Author

Jeff Hayward is an author, facilitator, and nationally and internationally accredited counsellor specializing in the treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. With a master's degree in social sciences and formal education in addiction medicine, counselling, and psychology, Jeff brings both academic expertise and lived insight to his work. His background gives him a unique perspective on how the pressures of modern life intersect with addiction, recovery, and mental health.Over the course of his career, Jeff has designed and implemented some of the most fresh and innovative treatment centres in the field, programs that integrate evidence-based practices with practical, human-centered care to address substance use, mental health, and trauma. He has worked with people across the full spectrum of experience, from individuals facing poverty and street entrenchment to CEOs, physicians, and prominent figures in the arts and entertainment industries.Known for his ability to translate complex psychological and recovery theories into straightforward, usable strategies, Jeff has become a trusted guide for those navigating the chaos of addiction and the challenges of rebuilding life. His style is direct, relatable, and grounded in the realities of what it actually takes to heal.Through his writing, teaching, and consulting, Jeff continues to share the message that recovery isn't about memorizing theories, it's about finding practical ways to live free, clear, and authentically.

Edition details

• Publisher: Simple Theory
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1069831905
• ISBN 13: 9781069831903
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 329