Kickass Recovery

Getting clean is seldom the biggest hurdle for addicts -- staying clean is, and relapse is common. As author Billy Manas shows, the crucial key to long-term sobriety is learning how to not just survive but thrive -- what he calls "kickass recovery." Manas knows firsthand that being clean, while a great accomplishment, has to feel good and be fulfilling in order to stick. This means different things to different people -- everything from having a stable income and family life to playing in a band or writing a book. His techniques for getting there are simple yet profound -- tackling manageable goals, finding inspiration (in whatever way works for you), asking for help (even when you don't want to), practicing gratitude and meditation (even if you think they're silly), and steering clear of people who rain on your parade. Straightforward and doable, these strategies build confidence and build on each other until recovery means not just living but living better than ever.