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Sobering

Lessons Learnt the Hard Way on Drinking, Thinking and Quitting

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Sobering

By: Melissa Rice
Narrated by: Melissa Rice
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About this listen

‘I don’t know if I was born with it, caught it or bought it; I just know that, at some point in my life, a line was crossed: I needed a drink to get through life, to calm the nerves and quiet the head, and I became reliant on alcohol to change how I felt.’

Sobering is the story of an insecure teenager turned Liverpudlian party girl, schoolteacher turned alcoholic and now recovering alcoholic turned award-winning podcaster. Melissa’s story is as dramatic as her unique voice, but her message is universal: mental health issues often drive vulnerable people to addiction, and working on mental health and personal development can help recovery.

Written with the expert help of rehab and addiction specialists, and with insights from other recovering alcoholics and addicts, Sobering covers everything from denial, isolation and shame to getting help and rebuilding relationships. This is a personal story with a mission: to help anyone worried about their drinking to understand themselves and move forward with wisdom to make that hardest decision of all - to stay sober.

©2021 Melissa Rice (P)2021 W F Howes
Addiction & Recovery Alcoholism Medical Mental Health Professionals & Academics Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Health Substance abuse Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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Critic reviews

"Melissa’s unique combination of authenticity, personal experience and humour makes for an incredibly refreshing take on addiction and recovery. A much-needed book that will help individuals to find hope and society to rethink substance misuse." (Shahroo Izadi, author of The Kindness Method)

“Unique, honest, witty, occasionally shocking, you need this uplifting, amazing book in your life.” (Steve Bland, You, Me and the Big C)

All stars
Most relevant  
This is the best in quit-lit I’ve experienced so far - Melissa’s story is incredibly moving and she tells it so well. Thank you for being brave enough to share.

Really powerful

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I listened to this compelling biography on Audible. What an amazing journey this courageous young lady has been on. What a fascinating, humorous, heart rending, inspiring story.

Astonishingly Frank

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The most relate able book ever! Well done Melissa you got this keep going girl

Honesty

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Listening to Melissa has made me make my mind up and to go into recovery

Fantastic

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I am currently listening to everything I can about sobriety to try to bludgeon myself sober. This book is great but overly long and a bit self indulgent (sorry, Melissa). Also, all the "I'm a Scouser" stuff gets a bit old. My grandad was Scouse so I'm not anti Scouse in any way it's just that the point was laboured over and over again and it begins to feel a bit exclusionary. I guess the thing to remember is that this is one woman's experience of addiction and it's her telling her story however she wants to rather than a guidebook for getting sober. Not a bad book but just not for me. I had about 3 hours left to go and jacked it in.

Good but couldn't finish.

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I loved how she described recovery and what she shared. This book has honestly made me understand more about addiction and how it can form. It’s also helpful hearing someone from a different situation experience similar emotions I feel so thank you 🫶

The honestly and her perspective

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A lot of myself in her story! History not as long but a professional Nurse Practitioner who cracked and lost in a 3yr period! Gave me hope

Relatability

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So brave to be so open and honest ❤️ thank you for helping to break the stigma surrounding addiction. I was feeling quite isolated when I picked up this book, I’m so happy I’ve listened to it! ❤️

Honest ❤️

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What a special read on your life before, during and after drinking. Inspiring woman!! I would recommend this to anyone who’s struggling.

Stunning and empowering

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Melissa's honesty and openness about her own personal struggles with alcohol highlights the difficulties many of us face. I have been in recovery for 9 years and have read and listen to many books on the subject but this is by far the best.

Best book on recovery and addiction

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