This guidebook, based on the author's own struggles with addiction, mental illness, and trauma, with a focus on recovery, has twelve chapters, endnotes, and suggested resources. It uses a Venn diagram to examine these three conditions and the biopsychosocial model of illness. The book also examines denial and stigma, trauma and types of trauma, and mental health issues. It explores the cycle of addiction, shame, and blame, and then begins to focus on healing from these issues. It looks to go from surviving into thriving, including having a spiritual transformation, finding love and compassion, and a "Compassionate Witness," such as a sponsor or a friend, as well as a "Higher Power." Looking at the wisdom of one's wounds is also a powerful healing process through grief and forgiveness. There is a long chapter on traditional, evidence-based therapies as well as other therapies such as acupuncture and Reiki, and the author relates seventeen fundamental principles of recovery.

Written by a layperson, this guidebook offers significant information into the processes of addiction, mental illness, and trauma. Using the author's personal stories, others' stories, a diagram, and helpful end-of-chapter questions, the book offers readers various ways to engage with the in-depth information. It is well-researched and well-written, and the suggested resources provide additional information. The content is mostly strong, though the section on mental illness is not as powerful as it could be, and the section on the stages of grief aligns more with earlier teachings than with current theory. Overall, though, it can be a good book for those going through the addiction and recovery process, with the recovery section being the strongest aspect of the work.

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