Rewired by Erica Spiegelman challenges traditional addiction recovery paradigms and offers a fresh perspective tailored to the modern age. Spiegelman is a licensed substance abuse counselor and is recovering from substance abuse herself. The book purports to provide a new, holistic way to navigate recovery. She has a thriving counseling practice and seems to have helped many recover.
One of the things I liked about the book was the conversational tone and honesty about her journey. The writing is clever and relatable. Spiegelman acknowledges that recovery is not one size fits all. I find that true for this book as well. This book is not for those suffering in the grips of substance abuse as a starting point for recovery.
The book is helpful for those who have already been in recovery for some time and are seeking general guidance on living better lives. It provides ten areas of focus and does a good job of articulating the need to address each area in recovery. Practical advice is also provided for each area.
Where my criticism of the book comes in is that it is fundamentally lacking the keys to early sobriety for those with substance abuse disorders. I can see it being valuable for someone who may have a “drinking problem” but not a diagnosable substance abuse disorder. The proposed approach depends too much on solitary work and, without employing a counselor or therapist, does not provide the structure and support necessary for a person with an addiction to get out of the gates and get well on their journey.
At times, the writing seems reductive and even naïve. Some topics are not covered with any notable depth. Perhaps this is to appeal to a broader audience. The last criticism is that the book lacks originality. While useful, much of the book echoes other well-established self-help and habit-forming approaches.
Overall, the book has its merits and would be helpful to a subset of people; however, the approach outlined in the book is lacking in its application to someone with a substance abuse disorder unless it is supplemented by working with an addiction counselor. My review would have been higher if it were not for the misleading title as a bold new approach to addiction and recovery. As “A Guide to Recovery,” the book would merit a 3 to 3.5 rating.
The Sobees #QUITLIT Score: 2.5
TSC LIBRARY: Welcome to The Sober Curator Library! We don’t just read books; we immerse ourselves in literary journeys, tune in on Audible, and craft insightful reviews. Our digital shelves are organized into three genres: #QUITLIT, Addiction Fiction, and Self-Help.
A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
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