Psychotherapist Michael Pond is no stranger to the devastating consequences of alcoholism. He has helped hundreds of people conquer their addictions, but this knowledge did not prevent his own neardemise. In this riveting memoir, he recounts how he lost his practice, his home, and his familyall because of his drinking. After scores of visits to the ER, a tour of hellish recovery homes, a stint in intensive care for endstage alcoholism, and jail, Pond devised his own personal plan for recovery. He met Maureen Palmer and together they investigated scientific alternatives to the rigid abstinence doctrine pushed by 12Step programs.