"Offers a sensible and doable discipline for anyone serious about getting free of drugs and alcohol, regardless of personal beliefs." -- Doug Althauser M.Ed., LCDC-II, MAC, CRC; author of You Can Free Yourself From Alcohol & Drugs

"I could not put it down. The book is engaging, touching, and at the same time quite informative -- a must read for the addict and non-addict alike." -- Asma Asyyed MD, Berkeley, California

"An excellent tool for recovery, particularly for those put off by the concepts of ‘powerlessness’ and ‘higher power.’" -- Ralph Cantor,  Coordinator of Drug Prevention at the Alameda County Office of Education, Hayward, California

"This is an eloquently written, audience-friendly piece of work that truly engages the reader from the first page to the last. The book chronicles the emergence of LifeRing—a promising alternative to AA but without powerlessness, insanity, the supernatural, and other elements of AA that have deterred millions from participating in self-help groups. Through a medley of inspiring accounts of personal triumph, revelations of the peculiar historical evolution of AA, along with the results of empirical studies, Nicolaus reveals the remarkable power of the human spirit over the pharmacological properties of alcohol and other drugs. Masterfully done." -- William Cloud PhD, MSW, Professor, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Colorado; co-author of Coming Clean: Overcoming Addiction Without Treatment

“In a field where most treatment is driven by myth, politics, and ideological dogma, Nicolaus’ book is a breath of fresh air. It is well written, contemporary, research based and client centered; it will without a doubt help people find recovery who would otherwise become lost.” -- Dr. B J Davis, Clinical Director, Strategies for Change, Sacramento, California

"Using the best thinking and best science, Empowering Your Sober Self examines what works and what doesn't, and provides new hope and new solutions for anyone who craves a sober life, but can't make a go of it in the 12-step world. The book is well-written to boot, full of smart prose, great good humor, sparkling analogies, and fascinating nuggets of history and science."  -- Matt Dean, software developer, web designer, LifeRing convenor, Charleston, South Carolina

"Recovery is a journey that requires courage and inner strength and, most often, the support of others. Empowering Your Sober Self describes critical components of this journey as it introduces the reader to the LifeRing approach to addiction recovery. Drawing from his own experiences and highlighting the experiences of many others who have found LifeRing support groups and approaches useful on their journey, Nicolaus offers hope and challenges some central tenets about addictions that he believes can interfere with leaving the addicted self and finding the sober self. He offers a sane and secular approach to seeking sobriety and a sophisticated, insightful, and well documented view of the philosophy and practice that are at the heart of this LifeRing approach. This book offers a perspective on recovery that can motivate change in clinicians and researchers as well as among individuals struggling to find their sober selves." -- Carlo DiClemente Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore; author of Addiction and Change: How Addictions Develop and Addicted People Recover; co-author of the Transtheoretical Model of Change

"True life recovery stories skillfully interwoven with theories about addiction and practical advice on how to overcome it."  -- CA Edington, 10 years sober through LifeRing, Sapporo, Japan

"With impressive analytical clarity and therapeutic generosity, Nicolaus presents a well-argued brief for understanding the complexities of addiction treatment and accepting the full range of diverse paths to recovery. The data on recovery and the biological, social and genetic interactions in addiction are well presented in this brief well-written text.  Professionals in the field and laymen wanting insight and balance on a vitally important public health issue will appreciate the author's lively and respectful presentation." -- Judith Herman MD, author of Trauma and Recovery.

"'Reducing the addict self by itself has no effect unless the sober self grows and fills the gap.' Martin Nicolaus' new book, a compilation of stories and principles to assist recovery, fills the gap for those who wish to avoid 12-step programs and the mythos of disempowerment."  -- David A. Kaiser Ph.D., Editor, Journal of Neurotherapy

"Provides a compelling analysis of the philosophy of LifeRing and how it compares to Alcoholics Anonymous. Readers will learn a great deal about the implications of the disease concept of alcoholism (to the alcohol industry, to coverage for treatment, and to the social stigma of addiction), of powerlessness (versus a healthy respect for addiction), and of the genetics of addiction."  -- Lee Ann Kaskutas Dr.P.H., Senior Scientist, Alcohol Research Group, Emeryville, California

“'It doesn’t matter whether it is a black cat or a white cat. As long as it can catch mice, it is a good cat.’ This is the statement and philosophy of Deng Xiaoping, the de facto leader of China in the 1980’s and early 1990’s, and the architect of the economic explosion that has converted it into the powerhouse that it remains today. 'Different strokes for different folks' is a terser statement of the same pragmatic approach. My institution has had the good fortune to have both 12 step meetings and LifeRing meetings taking place each week within its walls, as long-term supports for addicted patients who had undergone detoxification and/or outpatient therapy here. Some addicts gravitate to one program, some to the other, and some to both. But the presence of LifeRing meetings in our halls has been nothing but helpful and gets repeated high marks from those who attend. Its emphasis on 'cross-talk' gives valuable feedback to participants, many of whom struggle with opening up to others. I hope that it becomes more widespread, as it is popular among our patients, many of whom 'keep on coming.' Martin Nicolaus, one of LifeRing’s founding members, has written a lucid explanation of its approach, philosophy and what it has meant to him and to others. I believe this book will be very helpful to both treating professionals and to many who continue to struggle with addictions. No one approach has all the answers, but this book certainly has many of them." -- George Ubogy M.D., Medical Director, Addiction Recovery Center, Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, Connecticut

"In the words of our president, 'it’s time for a change' and nowhere is this more evident than in the field of addiction treatment.  Nicolaus has written a wonderful book that presents LifeRing, a new model for self-help groups.  A model based on empathy, scientific evidence, and giving people the power make their own choices about treatment options. Indeed, change has come." -- Joseph R. Volpicelli M.D., Ph.D., Executive Director of the Institute of Addiction Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and co-author of Recovery Options: The Complete Guide.

"Thoughtful and provocative -- issues a long overdue challenge to the accepted wisdom surrounding recovery from addiction, and illuminates a viable, alternative perspective on recovery." -- Sarah E. Zemore Ph.D., Scientist, Alcohol Research Group, Emeryville California