One of the few books on the topic, this updated edition offers alternatives to disease models of addiction by exploring personal pathways to recovery. Focusing on alcohol and drug problems, it provides a literature review of 40 years of studies on self-change with particular emphasis on the current decade and methodological issues (starting with how much or how little treatment constitutes 'treatment'). The 24 experts keep the coverage consistently readable, and dozens of brief narratives from individuals who have successfully recovered from an addictive behavior without formal help lend valuable personal perspectives.

Dr. Harald Klingemann studied at Cologne University (Germany) where he received the degree of Doctor of Economics and Social Sciences. He has taught at the University of Bonn, where he was a senior researcher in criminology, and has been Research Director at the Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems (SIPA) (Lausanne). He is currently the Research Director of the Swiss Consortium for Alcohol Treatment Research and project director at the Substance Use Disorders Research Department of the University of Zurich (SUD). His main research interests include the cross cultural analysis of treatment systems and the natural history of alcohol and heroin use for which he received the honorary doctor of the University of Stockholm in 2003. He has published about 100 articles and four books. He has served as temporary advisor for WHO Geneva and on several editorial boards. He is currently involved as PI in projects on controlled drinking as well as gender specific treatment needs and masculinity

Dr. Linda Carter Sobell is Professor at Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University in Florida. She is nationally and internationally known for her clinical research in the addiction field, particularly brief motivational interventions, natural recovery, and the Timeline Follow-up. She has received several awards, given over 200 invited presentations/workshops and published over 250 articles book chapters, and 7 books, and serves on several editorial boards. She is a Fellow in the American Psychological Association, is a Motivational Interviewing Trainer (MINT) and holds a Diplomate in Behavioral Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology. She is past President of the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy and the Society of Clinical Psychology of the American Psychological Association.