The foreword to this book is written by Dr William Glasser.This book is for both professionals in the field of substance abuse as well as those who may live with or love an addicted individual. It contains techniques, directives, ideas, and explanations for those who may be addicted to prescription meds, street drugs or alcohol. Also included are several exercises that Mike has developed over the years in working with groups that he has combined along with the work of Dr. William Glasser, M. D., the creator of Reality Therapy and most recently, Choice Theory. Not all of the information is user-friendly for the non-professional because a close friend or family member will never be able to establish a clinical relationship with the addict. The non-professional will always be recognized by the addict as Mom, Dad, Friend, Wife, Husband, etc which will inhibit the addict from taking them as someone who might understand and be able to help them. However, there are many other things in the book that the non-professional will be able to utilize that will make their personal life better by knowing what they can control and what they can't control with their loved one.Mike applies Choice Theory, the new Reality Therapy, by allowing the client to create their own personal treatment plan and not one that is necessarily designed by the therapist or agency. This allows for the client to feel s/he has control and choices rather than being coerced or forced to do something they don't want to do because someone else said they had to do it.People eventually learn that the drug or alcohol that they are consuming is effective for ridding themselves of unwanted emotions. Quite bluntly, they are unhappy. They are unhappy because of unsatisfying relationships with the important people in their life. After several weeks or months, they become biochemically addicted to the substance. They are now functioning on a daily basis with drug affected thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while causing harm to their internal organs. What they want mostly, satisfying relationships, are being destroyed by their behavior as well as the behavior of those whom they want in their life. While their drug of choice numbs their unwanted emotions, it also numbs their wanted emotions. The lack of these unwanted emotions fools them into thinking they are happy . . . a major misdiagnosis or identification. They are only feeling pleasure which they confuse for being happiness.This book is essential for understanding not only the wanted happiness of the addict, but the happiness of those who are involved with the addict as well. Understanding what motivates us is the key to satisfying our basic needs that create and maintain our happiness.
About the Author: Michael Rice is a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor who is certified in Reality Therapy and Choice Theory by the William Glasser Institute. Choice Theory differentiates from conventional psychiatry that diagnoses mental illness and brain disorders for conditions that have no pathology and are treated with psychotropic medications. Choice Theory is based upon personal choices, personal responsibility, and personal transformation. What is being diagnosed and medicated as a mental illness is, in reality, the behavior of someone who is acting out of frustration and unhappiness. The unhappiness and frustration is the result of an unsatisfying relationship with someone important to them . . . something that is occurring in the present. The frustration and unhappiness is the result of several unsuccessful attempts to control a situation that will result in an acceptable relationship. The relationship problem may also be the client's own relationship with him/herself. Mike has been in private practice since 1998 and over the years has helped over four thousand clients for substance abuse and several other behavioral health and emotional concerns. His years of practice and experience has encompassed group therapy, one-on-one, and couples counseling, helping others to better understand themselves by teaching Choice Theory methods of improving their relationships with the important people in their lives. Mike has been an active member of the William Glasser Institute, having served as the Regional Director of the Western states as well as having served on the U.S. Board of Directors of the Institute. Mike has presented several workshops at conferences in AZ, CA, NV, TN, CT, and Bogota, Columbia. He has presented at the AZ Psychological Association and the Sierra Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence in Sacramento, CA. Along with Dr. Kenneth Larsen, Mike co-emceed the opening ceremonies of the William Glasser International Conference at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles in June of 2012. Mike remains the CEO and Director of Court Counseling Services in Mesa, AZ, which he started in 1998. He continues to assess clients for substance abuse, teaches life-skills, and shares his experiences with client issues and Choice Theory applications in his books and articles. More information about Mike can be found on his web site at: http: //www.mike-rice.com