The Thinking Person's Guide to Sobriety

by Bert Pluymen

Book Overview

Answering yes to these questions sparked Pluymen's realization that life could be so much more fulfilling if he was sober. This book is Bert Pluymen's story of struggle and triumph over alcohol... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1880092409
• ISBN13: 9781880092408
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Bright Books (TX)
• Length: 245 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Personal Life Saver

At 46, I was a successful business owner with a beautiful home and good marriage. I also drank every evening and as a result had trouble sleeping. I was exhausted most of the time and often unpleasant to be around. Even so, I wasn't sure I qualified as an alcoholic. I saw this book and the title spoke to me. After reading the first few pages, I knew I'd found a soul mate in Bert. His story of being a high-level, functioning alcoholic was similar to mine. I had stayed away from AA due to the "God" thing. But, I started going to meetings 5 years ago because of this book. Now, I have my own interpretation of a higher power. I don't call it God or feel the need to join a religion or go to church. To each his/her own. What I have found in AA is a method for dealing with life's problems and a measure of serenity never before known to me. Life still happens, and good and bad things come my way, but I no longer need to numb unpleasant thoughts at night with alcohol. Read this book if you have any doubt about your drinking.

Changed Three Lives Directly in Thirteen Months

On October 29th, 2002, I begrudgingly bought this book upon the recommendation of my therapist. It was, without a doubt, the most powerful and life-altering read I had ever experienced. Two days later, I quit drinking and I just passed my 12 month mark. I have recommended this book to two other close friends, and both have successfully given up alcohol and are now FREE from its bonds. If you are a highly functioning (well, at least you believe that you are) drinker, this is a must read. You can be fooled no longer after reading Bert's story, and the myriad anecdotes of others. Do yourself, and those that love you, a huge favor, buy this book, read it, and WAKE UP!

Recovery need not be a dreary struggle

Bert Pluymen's book is without doubt one of the best of it's ilk, I should know, I've read a whole lot! It's message is conveyed with good humour and relates directly to those of us that have not been 'forced' into recovery by a courtroom judge or a doctor. I believe there are probably more of this type of problem drinker than the cliched alcoholic types and this is why Bert's book is so essential. He takes the reader to task in an affable way, to question whether or not the amount they are drinking is doing them more harm than good - there is no sledge hammer/walnut scenario here - thank God!This is an extremely helpful book for anyone currently questioning their drinking habits and I can thoroughly reccomend it.

A must read for those questioning their alcoholism

Bert Pluymen, in his book "The Thinking Person's Guide to Sobriety", brings forth a wealth of information on alcoholism that is both humorous and fascinating. He calls alcohol's bluff and depicts it for what it truly is - cunning, baffling, powerful! If you are struggling with the idea of whether you are or aren't an alcoholic, pick up this book and honestly see if you find yourself between the pages. A book I couldn't put down and wished it would never end!

Best current book for high-bottom drunks

Bert Pluymen's The Thinking Person's Guide to Sobriety is the best book I've seen regarding high-bottom alcoholics, those bright and successful people who have not yet qualified to tell lurid war stories and who therefore assume the early luxury of comparing themselves out the doors of many AA meetings. I've been a chemical dependency counselor for twenty-three years, and I still shudder when an attorney or social worker lands on my caseload and tells me everything that isn't wrong with him, little or nothing that is - except the documented complaints that forced him or her into treatment - and looks blank when asked the standard assessment questions that focus on obvious physical, psychological, behavioral, social and spiritual consequences. I believe that Mr. Pluymen has just given us an invaluable resource, and I may be using it for client homework assignments.