Pick up your copy today of ““The Forgotten Five Steps” for only $30.00.

Is it any wonder that recovery rates for addiction are so low with alcoholics and drug addicts having been labeled with having an incurable disease.  What’s more is that many treatment programs also teach that relapse is not only possible but probable. The message says – once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic. Labels such as this effect what we think of ourselves, which in turn effects who we actually are. How can one successfully stay sober or free of drugs when they are told that they are powerless against this disease of addiction? In addition, they are never permitted to be addiction-free because recovery will continue for the rest of their lives.

Timothy Welch disagrees with the disease model for alcoholism. Timothy, a clinical counselor in the addiction field, and author of eBook “The Forgotten Five Steps” is far from alone in his belief that addiction is a choice. Although he doesn’t deny that some are more prone to abuse alcohol or drugs more than others, he does say that everyone has a responsibility to change. An alcoholic may have used alcohol for so long that they don’t realize that they have a choice.

Timothy bases his theory on the premise that there is no study or medical literature that absolutely proves there to be any biological disease with chemical dependence or addiction. Timothy goes on to explain how damaging the disease model of alcoholism and drug use can be to the user’s recovery. He states that “You are what you think – if you think that you are diseased, then you are diseased”. Furthermore, if one feels that the cause of their addiction is disease, they blame the disease which strips them of all responsibility and choice. Timothy goes on to say that considering addiction as a disease makes sense to people because no one can figure out why else would someone choose to ruin their life with drugs or alcohol?

Best described the “Forgotten Five Steps” presents a compelling alternative view that replaces the fear of disease with the empowerment of choice. Timothy’s book is a welcome change to some of the alcoholism recovery treatment theory’s that I have read. He has recognized the need to provide a healthy alternative to traditional treatment approaches such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and the 12-step program. These treatments can work for some, but there are still many who don’t subscribe to the same philosophy as AA, 12-step or the concept of addiction as a disease.

In the “Forgotten Five Steps”, Timothy dispels the myth that when alcohol or drugs are present the addict will lose all independent decision making capabilities, choices and free will. To the contrary, Timothy teaches that once you change your values and your focus, alcohol will no longer have the power that it once did.

Throughout his book, Timothy reminds the reader several times that the alcoholic or drug user has to have a desire for change. They have to believe that their life will be improved by stopping their addictive behavior or no change will take place.

Timothy offers 5 steps or principles that outline alternative coping skills. The steps are not complicated in theory but Timothy reminds us that by just reading them and agreeing with them will not change you. The key lies in practicing and living these principles. I can’t tell you what these steps are because obviously you will need to get a copy of the eBook to learn them yourself. But what I can tell you is that they are solid principles that will help you in taking control, making choices and replacing alcohol and/or drugs with a clear purpose and vision in your life.

How Can Family and Friends Help?

Teaching the five steps is the heart of the book, but the “Forgotten Five Steps” offers much more. One of the chapters that I consider of enormous value is the section for family and friends. This was some of the best practical advice I’ve read on how to help an alcoholic or drug user. If you are living in this situation, it would be well worth getting a copy of the “Forgotten Five Steps” as it provides such helpful advice on managing your own life plus at the same time being able to help your loved one in their quest to be addiction-free. Timothy reminds us again that someone who is trying to stop alcohol or drug use must have the desire to change. But if family and friends can understand the dynamics at the core of the addictive behavior, this puts them in a better position to help.

Another significant chapter of the eBook was the one dedicated to relapse. Timothy argues that the concept of relapse is associated with the idea that alcoholism is a disease. He notes the differences in beliefs surrounding the possibilities of using again. Again, in this chapter, he gives valuable advice and resources on what to do when and if a “slip up” occurs.

Considering what one pays for alcoholism recovery treatment programs, “The Forgotten Five Steps” is a deal $30.00 as it offers so much more than that in value. Throughout the book, worksheets have also been provided which help the reader through soul searching and pulling on their strengths as they dig deep for answers that will assist you in discovering the reasons for change.

Read more on the author’s site about “The Forgotten Five Steps”