From Now On: Seven Keys to Purposeful Recovery

Recovery from addiction is not a cookie-cutter process. Every addict experiences addiction differently, and every addict has a unique path of recovery. This workbook will complement your existing approaches to recovery whether they are 12-step programs, treatment centers, psychotherapy, and/or coaching.

Purposeful recovery is a hybrid term to describe another dimension of addiction recovery which isn t always emphasized in the traditional places where one receives support. By using a strengths-based approach derived from both coaching and positive psychology, you ll have the opportunity to revitalize dormant aspects of yourself. As a result, the possibilities of adding deeper meaning and clearer direction to your recovery will expand and become more and more evident to you.

The exercises in this book will help you stretch beyond your comfort zone as you move into the next chapter of recovery. Thinking bigger than ever before will reveal limitless possibilities as you create purpose and direction.

The ideas and modules in this book are only suggestions. Some of them may resonate for you, and some of them may not, but my intention in writing this book is to offer ways of complementing the efforts you re already making in your recovery. Have fun with it, and focus on whatever brings you more vitality. If an exercise becomes burdensome, feel free to move on.

There s a distinction between getting clean and sober and living a purposeful life in recovery. Sobriety is based on giving up self-destructive behaviors and patterns while recovery is based on living a fuller, more purposeful life. By aligning your core values with your goals and actions, your vision will take shape and your energy and perspective will grow. By listening to your unique rhythm, your true voice will be accessible in a fresh, resonant way.

Whether you re brand-new to recovery or you ve been in recovery for many years, this workbook will create a new dialogue within you and will propel you forward. Remember that there are no right or wrong answers it s simply a challenge and an opportunity to determine how you choose to live your life in recovery from now on.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Coach, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Certified Group Psychotherapist, Andrew Susskind brings a multi-faceted perspective to his work. His ability to relate compassionately to those in recovery stems from his personal and professional experience with addictions, trauma and codependency.

In 1988 Andrew completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst before transitioning to the West Coast. After completing a Master of Social Welfare degree from UCLA in 1991, he has maintained a private practice in West Los Angeles and has provided clinical supervision since 1997. Andrew gives presentations to numerous post-graduate training programs and community organizations and has taught medical students in the UCLA School of Medicine Doctoring Program. As part of his passion for guiding others toward a more fulfilling and purposeful life, Andrew co-founded Recovery Coaches International, a non-profit organization dedicated to integrating coaching into the addiction recovery community.