This book is vital for anyone who is struggling with alcoholism or addiction or has a loved one who is. You will not only find hope, but you’ll find practical steps you can take right now to create a breakthrough. This book changed my entire perspective on alcoholism and addiction. Like many people, I thought they were incurable illnesses, and that it was always a long road back to recovery—if you ever made it back. Recently, I was at a seminar and started a conversation with the couple sitting next to me. When I asked the man his name, he told me his name and then immediately said, “I’m an alcoholic. I’ve been sober for 24 years.” He said it was still a daily struggle for him to stay sober. What’s amazing about this book is that it is based on a new program that is changing this paradigm completely. It’s based on the successful program from Passages, a treatment center in Malibu, California. This book shows how to discover the real, underlying causes of dependency and says that once they are identified and cured, the need for alcohol or drugs is no longer there, because the reason people are turning to them is no longer there. As the author explains, the real causes can be anything from hypoglycemia, attention deficit disorder, thyroid or brainwave pattern imbalances to deep emotional pain. Another key to the success of the program spelled out in this book is that it emphasizes one-one-one treatments rather than group meetings, which clearly aren’t successful. The book tells you exactly which practitioners and doctors to work with to create your own one-on-one program with professionals right where you live. The author suggests using both traditional medical and complementary therapies. What is also remarkable is that those who have been through this program say they no longer struggle to stay sober. Don’t be surprised that the concepts in this book are controversial. New breakthroughs always are. But you can’t argue with the success this approach is having. I’ve recommended this book to many people because I’ve been so impressed with it.



Having had a family member who was once addicted to cocaine, I found this book insightful, uplifting and empowering. The author tells the story of his son's 10-year addiction to heroin, cocaine and alcohol. What is so amazing is that the author never accepts the platitudes about alcoholism & addiction and never gives up on his son, Pax. He debunks the myths that 'alcoholism and addiction are diseases' and 'once an addict always an addict' and shows us that 'relapse is NOT part of recovery' but part of a system of treatment that doesn't work because it doesn't treat the real causes of alcoholism & addiction. After fighting his son's demons for 10 years, the father helped his son finally figure out the underlying conditions that were causing his abuse of drugs and alcohol. That opened the way to Pax's cure. Chris and Pax then opened their own recovery center in Malibu, CA, so they could help cure others. This wonderful book shows how you can develop your own personalized, holistic treatment program (uses integrative medicine--traditional plus the best of alternative medicine) with practitioners right where you live. The Alcoholism & Addiction Cure reveals the three steps to permanent sobriety and the four causes of dependency. If people buy this book for loved ones who have problems with drugs and alcohol, many lives will be saved.

Nigel Y.



Chris,

I just finished The Alcoholism and Addiction Cure and Zen and the Art of Happiness and want to thank you for your insights.

My difficulties with alcohol began with my first treatment center when I was fifteen years old in 1985. Since then I have tried everything and anything. I have attained some measurable sobriety in AA several times and in other programs through the years but inevitably ended up with less than favorable results. Finally a few years ago, at my wits end, I started putting together my own program through individual doctors, what I learned in AA, and literally dozens of books that I have read. I followed a path similar to the one you took with Pax. What I did not realize, though, until I read Cure, was that I was still carrying the disease concept of alcoholism with me and not asking myself the simple question of “why?”.It was a weight that I have carried for so long I did not realize it there and the damage it was causing. Thanks to your book I have had that “paradigm shift” and I think I have found the missing piece to my lifelong puzzle.

Keep writing and I expectedly look forward to your next book.

Your friend,
Chris T.



Hi Chris!
I hope all is going well for you and Pax! I wanted to thank you again for taking the time to respond to my e-mails over the last month or so. Your book has opened doors, door's that have been opened and explored by many yet those individuals who believed as you do found it difficult stand on firm ground because of opposing views. I was one of those people who had a drinking problem in my early twenties and saught help at 24, have been sober ever since and am now 32. AA I can honestly say set a great foundation for my recovery, however, after sometime(5 years going to meetings every week, working the steps, you name it) I began to feel like I was trapped in the AA bubble, and it was like a marry-go-round of up's and downs, always feeling like you had to do more and if you stopped, you would ultimately fail, was many people's beliefs. I have found through trial and error on my own, that those beleifs just made me feel worse than I needed to feel, I would stop going to meetings for awhile, and actually felt better, more stable and on an even keel. AA can create a sense of urgency that is just not always necessary, especially after someone has acheived years of abstinence! I have grown inside and outside of the program, and now continue to grow into my own man, with my own set of spiritual tools and values that I beleive everyone contains, some just explore them in more depth than others, there is no right or wrong! I just want to live my life as full as I can without feeling like I am doing something wrong, or that somehow something will sneak up on me as AA instills in it's members if they move on from it, so NOT the truth!!!
Anyway, I have decided to pursue a new career path in healthcare and am currently taking classes. I feel like I want to devote my life to helping others in one realm or another. I have been in sales and Real Estate for the last 9 years and want a change! I hope that you all continue your good work down there, god bless you and please feel free to ask any candid questions to me about AA, as someone who can see both the good and not so good sides of the program, I may be of help to you guys!

Take care-
Cory



Hi Chris,
I have had a problem with drinking much of my life. In 1980, I was able to not drink through AA but stop going to meetings and after 8 years thought I could just have 1 drink. That one drink was 20 years ago, and as you may have guessed it was a lot more than 1 drink! After particular bad bouts of drinking, I would swear off and try AA again only to find that the “magic” was gone and my drinking seemed to escalate. My wife was ready to leave, my life was becoming to be resolving itself to a life of loneliness, just me and the bottle du jour. I saw your book in the NY Times and read it and believed every word of it. I wanted you to know I have been working “the cure program” (TCM, Acupuncture, Clinical Psychologist, Spirituality, etc..) and it has been 6 weeks today since I have had a drink. The desire has left me and I wanted you to know how much I appreciate your book and your bold stance on curing vs hanging by a thread. I am certain you have had your share of criticism with the non-AA stance. I even got it from my initial visit with a clinical Psy. Anyways, thank you for my sobriety and thanks for having the guts to say what needed to be said.

James H
Birmingham, Michigan



I bought this book for a family member and was expecting another dull book an addiction, but to my surprise, it was so well written and the stories (like Pax's) were so exciting and read like a fiction thriller. I just could not put it down! (Hence it delayed me sending out the book).
What captivated me the most was Prentiss' novel outlook on the cure for addictions. He seems to have nailed it on the head - look to the root cause of the problem - which is often multi-faceted and he addresses each one of the possible treatment aspects in a holistic way. Most other treatment programs blame alcoholism on genes and call it an incurable disease. That approach does not seem to help people.
Prentiss' research and wisdom is a breath of fresh air. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand how to cure addiction - either their own or someone else's.

Annika R. - Miami, Fl.



Truth when understood cannot be denied...this therapeutic approach is comprehensive & effective in that it addresses the heart of addictive issues as opposed to a cure for the symptom(s). Anyone of us who are not living life to the fullest might check the closet for unaddressed addictive behavior (I've a few of my own.) Ahhhhhhh that this love cure could be bottled and prescribed. Addiction is a route we choose for various reasons in order to cope.... yet are oft unaware of why we made this (these) choice(s), nor of the ultimate price of these choices.
To acknowledge the choice(s), sincerely repent , identify the root and discover higher ground in the process is nothing less than love in motion. The painful road of this path less chosen is cushioned with gems of equal or greater opportunity. Gratefully, the path for Pax and the choices he made were well seasoned with an intrinsic love and purpose. May others discover the love that resides in each Spirit and brings us to our true purpose.
I've a niece, not yet 16, who has walked this rocky road for years. The financial well is tapped and the symptoms persist. I've sent this material to her mother and am hoping that the message might somehow unveil a light that shines, the true beauty of this young woman.

Peggy F. - Lakewood, CO



I think this book is extremely wistful. It elaborates on the obvious which is that alcohol or drugs are not the problem....it is the feeling that makes one want to use them. The discovery of the issues and then learning some new tools as to how to manage them will eradicate the need for alcohol or drugs. Also, the book discusses how one must be very careful as to how we define ourselves as that can affect our self esteem and future choices (for example saying I am Julie and I am an alcoholic). This book describes a program in which the "user" is not being punished but rather becomes enlightened so that there really can be a cure rather than a "white knuckling" through life on life's terms.

Diane L. - Atlanta, Georgia



This book is greatly needed in our Society where addiction is rife, acceptable at low levels and devastating at other levels. Pax's story is incredible and moving and as a person who works closely with addicted people who have found themselves lock behind bars or in a personal prison of addition at home, its a revelation. Lets embrace change, move into a healthy future and help ourselves overcome our slavery to drugs and alcohol.

K.M.