Review: Soaring Above Co-Addiction by Lisa Ann Espich

ISBN #: 978-0-615-35975-5

Page Count: 159

Copyright: 2010

Book Summary:

(Taken from back cover)

Are you in a relationship with an addict?

Have your attempts at helping that person failed?

Do you feel powerless?

Living with an addict can be crazy.  Your world becomes consumed with lies, uncertainty, and chaos.  Ashamed - you keep it a secret.  It only makes sense that in such an unhealthy environment, over time you would start to feel hopeless.

You can rise above the storm!

Mandy's Review:

Soaring Above Co-Addiction is written by a lady who is married to a recovering addict.  In this book, she gently pushes the reader, if that reader happens to be in a relationship with an addict, to open their eyes and realize how much of their life they've given up in co-dependency with the addict.

Ms. Espich offers encouragement along with possible solution starters in regaining your life.  There are journal suggestions at the end of each chapter to initiate your thought processes towards positive things.  There's even a helpful resources list and suggested reading list at the end of the book to further assist you on your newly enlightened path.

I believe this book could be a great read for people in relationships with addicts.  This book, however, was not for me.

A lot of what the author was saying coincided with my Christian beliefs, which I agreed with.  Then there were other things mentioned (visualizing an inner guide, for instance) that sounded a little too New Age-y for me.

Also, I can understand not catering to the addict's behavior, because it only encourages them to continue.  However, I have a difficult time believing that if you focus completely on renewing yourself and ignore the addict's behavior in the meantime, that will cause the addict to want to change.  Now, I believe that this does sometimes work, but it depends on the addict.  Some addicts may realize their loved one is continuing with bettering their own life and feel left out, lonesome, even depressed.  Would these feelings not also cater to the addict's lifestyle?

It appears to be a fine line one has to walk when involved with an addict.  My recommendation would be to tread carefully and seriously consider all consequences before committing to any plan of action.  What worked for one person, may not work for you.

If you are in a relationship with an addict and need assistance, please contact a local professional in your area... especially if you feel like you cannot leave on your own.

If Lisa's story and book sound like something that can help you, you can find more info on her website:

http://www.soaringabovecoaddiction.com/