Dear Dr. Romance: I am a substance abuse counselor

Dear Dr. Romance:

I work at an Indian health clinic in northern Califo ia. 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 counseling, email me at tina@tinatessina.com