Dear Dr. Romance: I am a substance abuse counselor

Dear Dr. Romance:

I work at an Indian health clinic in northern California. I am a substance abuse counselor, or Certified Addiction Treatment Counselor . After scanning a book I found on a colleague's bookshelf called The Real Thirteenth Step

  I felt compelled to seek it out, and I found it on Kindle.

I have worked the 12-steps and once had enormous faith in that process. I still believe there is some healing there, but also that a much more compassionate process can be created. I am working on that and your book is assisting with that project. In examining the program with new found objectivity I agree with your assessment of the steps, but feel reluctant to recommend the steps as well. My studies have taken me in the direction of positive psychology , and I'm striving to correlate it with  the steps.

My motivation for writing comes from the belief that there is possibly a greater need for your book than ever. As you are probably aware 12-step is the mandate of choice among social and justice agencies across the country. I want to recommend your book to colleagues and clients.  I believe this book should be a part of the curriculum at A.D.S. programs everywhere. 

Dear Reader:

Thank you for your interest and comments about my book. Please do recommend it to people.  I'm delighted you're finding the book helpful, and I want to clarify that I am not reluctant to recommend the steps to my clients. I regularly refer people, and I simply urge them to use the steps wisely, and to seek out a group that's showing a lot of recovery. You and others in second or third stage recover may have outgrown the twelve steps , but for someone in the throes of addiction , it's a good place to start.

I'd be happy to have The Real 13th Step used in any treatment program. 

For low-cost phone counseling, email me at tina@tinatessina.com