The genesis for the book Stark Raving Sober was first published on January 16, 1983, as the cover story of Northeast Magazine, part of the Sunday edition of The Hartford Courant. At that time, the author used the nom de plume, Rebecca Bass.
OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE
OCTOBER 16, 2006
Please send your questions/comments to:
starkravingsober@comcast.net
Author's Notes
Stark Raving Sober is a true story. I have written
it from my perspective which means I have looked at my life experiences through
one prism – my own. With the exception of using real names to identify Sandra
Cohen-Holmes, my children and myself, all characters have been renamed.
Because I wrote the journal entries with no idea one
day I would quote them in a book, their spontaneity is retained "as is,"
and editing occurs only for the sake of clarity.
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My opinions are mine. I speak for myself and
no one else. I found answers that work for me. I agree with addiction and mental
health professionals that those affected by alcoholism can benefit from learning
all they can about this insidious, cunning and subtle disease; and when symptoms
suggest the presence of an additional problem, such as bipolar disorder, knowledge
can lead to the management of its symptoms.
If I had not rid myself of hateful resentments and
changed my attitudes, I could not have written this book. The writing demanded
that I dredge up the past. I remembered the feelings, at times strongly enough
to laugh aloud or to weep. Some were difficult to write. One especially tore me
apart with such shame, embarrassment and anger with myself that I came
close to abandoning the book. I am relieved to let the old feelings
return to the past where they belong.
In 1983 in a letter from Lary Bloom, then editor of
Northeast Magazine, he wrote: "I have this theory about life, unproven,
of course, that sometimes in the great cosmos there appears to be a reason
for pain – and that something good can come from it."
Yes.
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The Origin of the Title
Alcoholism isn't just drinking.
It's a family disease. It causes the wife and kids
to become as addicted to the alcoholic as the alcoholic is to the booze.
While the alcoholic lies passed out, anesthetized,
the family goes through the years of his drinking -- stark, raving sober.
Their world is like no sane family's world. They believe lies, expect miracles, have
him locked up, bail him out, wish he were dead, and pray that he gets home safely.
From the introduction to "Getting Them
Sober,"
Volume One by Toby Rice Drews.
Recovery, P. O. Box 19910, Baltimore MD 21211
Reprinted with permission from Toby Rice Drews
E-mail the Author
desbyt@comcast.net
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