Loving Our Addicted Daughters Back to Life

May 25, 2015
Novelist (Cleans Up Nicely) and biographer Dahl has done her homework on the topic of gender-specific treatment for alcohol and drug addiction, and she presents her findings in a thorough and forthright manner. Dahl is a recovering alcoholic and mother of a young woman with addiction issues, so she's clearly personally engaged with her subject, but her primary focus is on providing useful information to others. Dahl points out that "girls and young women are the fastest-growing group of addicts in the country," and risky substance use is the number one public healthcare problem for U.S. youth, according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University She walks readers through the process of turning addiction around, going over the warning signs of substance abuse, when and how to intervene, the benefits of gender-specific recovery programs (preferably inpatient, with strong aftercare), and other topics. Female addicts, she notes, are particularly prone to guilt and shame, and may require longer treatment plans than males. Dahl also includes a helpful assessment of specific types of treatment facilities. This compassionate and invaluable guide will aide parents as they set out to support their addicted daughters on the journey to recovery and healing.

June 15, 2015

Dahl (Morning Glory) utilizes her experience as the mother of an addict and as an addict herself to give straightforward information and advice on coping with daughters who suffer from substance addiction. Citing recent research regarding the physiological differences between men and women, the author contends that treatment needs are not identical. She also mentions issues relevant to LGBT patients, ethnic minorities, and young mothers. Beginning the book with her daughter's difficulties, Dahl uses family history to illustrate lessons learned and suggest practical methods to parent a daughter with this disease, emphasizing the importance of early intervention. She offers an array of statistics regarding alcohol and drug abuse, cites studies about effective treatment, and presents various topics to consider. The author discusses 12-step programs, treatment facilities, and even relapses, recognizing that the same path will not ensure success for every person. The appendix lists resources and recommended reading. VERDICT This book's down-to-earth style is for parents or any reader seeking facts and guidance. The female focus is atypical and makes this an essential addition to the literature.--Janet Clapp, N. Clarendon, VT

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