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

The now-classic guide to alcoholism returns with new, enlightening research that confirms the revolutionary ideas first trailblazed by this book in a time when such theories were unheard of—now featuring a new foreword, new resources, and the same reliable insights and easy-to-read style.

“This book is truly informative, powerful, and an invaluable resource on overcoming alcoholism.”—Angela Diaz, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.
 
Ten of millions of Americans suffer from alcoholism, yet most people still wrongly believe that alcoholism is a psychological or moral problem that can be “cured” once the purported underlying psychological problems or moral failings of the alcoholic are addressed. Based on groundbreaking scientific research, Under the Influence examines the physical factors that set alcoholics and non-alcoholics apart, and suggests a bold, stigma-free way of understanding and treating the disease of alcoholism.
 
You’ll learn:
• How to tell if someone you know is an alcoholic.
• The progressive stages of alcoholism.
• How to help an alcoholic into treatment and how to choose the right treatment program.
• Why diet and nutritional therapy are essential elements of treatment.
• Why frequently prescribed medications can be dangerous for alcoholics.
• How to ensure a lasting recovery.
 
An essential resource for anyone hoping to better understand the nature of alcoholism—whether you are looking to support a loved one or learning how to best care for yourself—it’s no wonder this innovative work has been hailed as “the best book ever written on alcoholism” (AA Beyond Belief). This special updated edition of Under the Influence will continue to earn its standing as a classic in the alcoholism field for years to come.

A clinical psychologist, James R. Milam has been a national authority in the field of addiction for over thirty years. In addition to many scientific, professional, and public contributions, he has co-founded several model treatment programs, most notably the Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers in Kirkland, Washington.
 
Katherine Ketcham has been writing nonfiction books for forty years. Her work has been published in sixteen foreign languages and has sold nearly one million copies. Ketcham lives in Walla Walla, Washington.