Reading this book has helped me enormously with my journey and I will revert back to it for help and guidance. The books featured on this site are aimed primarily at readers aged 13 or above and therefore you must be 13 years or over to sign up to our newsletter. Perhaps it's early in the recovery process to expect this, and by the point at which recovery is part of the every day and not still a novel choice, the impetus for reflecting more deeply lessens.

There were some real light bulb moments for me and this is powerful reassurance that I am not alone and that everything I am experiencing is normal and part of the process. And then, a chink of light as the hard work begins - rehab; AA meetings; endless, tedious, painful self-reflection - a rollercoaster ride through self-acceptance, friendship, love and hope, to a joy and pride in staying sober that her younger self could never have imagined.They are often people who are more self aware, and have more gratitude for the profound beauty in the simplicity of daily life. Her account does not suggest that sobriety will be an easy journey, but does suggest that to her, it was worth it. This is I think the darkest of her books as she tackles her alcoholism with brutal honesty including the impact on her family. In Glorious Rock Bottom Bryony opens up about a toxic twenty-year relationship with alcohol and drugs and explains exactly why hitting rock bottom - for her, a traumatic event and the abrupt realisation that she was putting herself in danger, time and again - saved her life.

I loved the idea of alcohol as “a depressant masquerading remarkably well as a relaxant, an Oscar-winning actor”, but including it twice felt like sloppy editing. So much of this book resonates with me and I’ve never heard anyone else talk about my experience so closely and so honestly about what it’s really like. I was sad to read that all was not well after her marathon, but glad she sought the help she needed. Bryony does this beautifully and shows that a sober life isn't instagrammable hot yoga, green smoothies and boundless positivity and energy but a difficult yet wonderfully worthwhile journey to acceptance and self esteem and a place where shame no longer thrives. After my own day of anniversary planned excess and fun though I’ve changed my rating - she’s human and was trying to deal with life by living it - surely that’s always better than trying to deal with life by not experiencing and pushing the boundaries?

And then, a chink of light as the hard work begins – rehab; AA meetings; endless, tedious, painful self-reflection – a rollercoaster ride through self-acceptance, friendship, love and hope, to a joy and pride in staying sober that her younger self could never have imagined. Because that’s what books like this do - you’re drinking, you feel like the worst person in the world, but a little spark in you identifies with what she went through and you think maybe you could do it too. No, it is not easy but no matter how much pain you have to put yourself through to get it, it is by far the most wonderful thing one can possibly do. Alcoholism is often misunderstood, viewed as a choice rather than a disease, and I hope that this memoir will encourage empathy and understanding.

Her open, honest stories of the takeover and hold that alcohol and drugs had on her are really eye opening and at times uncomfortable, and I found myself crying reading her words on more than one occasion.In 2017 she won the MIND Making A Difference Award for her work in changing the perception of mental health in the media. p>Read about how we’ll protect and use your data in our Privacy Notice. It felt like she didn’t want to blame anyone but herself, which is very gallant—but I did wonder about her childhood family dynamic. Support, understanding and compassion are crucial - particularly from people who have also been through it.

I felt deep sympathy and optimism while reading this book— and it’s definitely changed my understanding of addiction (for the better! And then, a chink of light as the hard work begins - rehab; twelve-step meetings; endless, tedious, painful self-reflection - a rollercoaster ride through self-acceptance, friendship, love and hope, to a joy and pride in staying sober that her younger self could never have imagined.I was struck by the light that reading this account of Bryony’s alcoholism shone on her other novels; while running the marathon she was looking forward to the bottles of prosecco she would have to celebrate and her drunken hijinks in her twenties were followed by a period of crippling anxiety and regret. Absolutely love Bryony's honesty and rawness, as well as her self-deprecating humour, no matter what topic she covers. Re: rating - 3 would be too stingy, 4 is a little generous, but I'm happy to err on the side of generosity here. For those that are battled, or are battling, addiction it sends a message of comradery and encouragement. As I painted my body with glitter, purely because it looked nice, I wondered if I was taking part in an elaborate con.