Allen Berger, Ph.D. Author of 12 Stupid Things that Mess Up Recovery

Dr. Berger is a nationally recognized expert on the science of recovery. He is best known for his work on emotional sobriety and integrating modern psychotherapy with the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. He has authored two books: Love Secrets – Revealed (HCI Books, 2006) and 12 Stupid Things that Mess up Recovery (Hazelden, 2008)). He also wrote the pamphlet How to Get the Most out of Group Therapy (Hazelden, 2007) which was designed to help new admissions understand the process of group therapy and how to use group to optimize outcome. Dr. Berger is uniquely qualified. He has over 36 years of experience from his own personal journey in recovery along with a solid professional background. He graduated with a doctorate in clinical psychology from UC Davis and was trained and mentored by two masters in the fields of addictionology and family therapy: William C. Rader, M.D. and Walter Kempler, M.D., respectively. Dr. Berger has an outstanding reputation as a very dynamic and engaging presenter, and as a very practical, “no-nonsense” therapist. He has presented at IDAA Annual Meetings, the Betty Ford Awareness Hours, Cedars at Cobble Hill in Canada, Cumberland Heights, The Orchard, The Refuge, the Alcohol Recovery Services at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital and South Bay Hospital. He has also presented at several national events including U.S. Journal Conferences, Foundation Conferences, FACES Conferences, the Western Regional Conference on Addictions, and at several of the California Conferences on Alcohol Problems. His media appearances include local and national radio programs as well as CNN Showbiz Tonight, TV Guide Chanel 411 Hollywood, and The Standard on Omni Television in Canada. Dr. Berger currently divides his time in private practice, writing, speaking and training staff, playing rock and roll, going to meetings, and playing tennis. You can learn more about Dr. Berger and his work at www.abphd.com.

Recovery as an Initiation Rite

Written By: Allen Berger, Ph.D. Author of 12 Stupid Things that Mess Up Recovery Date: September 4th, 2009. Topic: Chemical Dependency.

In the two past decade I have studied male initiation rites. In fact I attended a remarkable male initiation performed by Father Richard Rohr in Julian, California. It was a very moving and powerful experience and resulted in the following insight about recovery as a rite of passage, as an initiation rite. An initiation rite [...]

Part II: On Human Development and the False-Self

Written By: Allen Berger, Ph.D. Author of 12 Stupid Things that Mess Up Recovery Date: June 25th, 2009. Topic: Addiction Medicine.

In my previous article I discussed the cultural forces that predispose us for addiction. At the risk of sounding paranoid I believe there is a cultural conspiracy against the development of our true-self. Our culture is not wise. On the contrary it emphasizes materialism, “having”, over a more spiritual focus on “being.” We are out [...]

On Culture and Addiction

Written By: Allen Berger, Ph.D. Author of 12 Stupid Things that Mess Up Recovery Date: June 4th, 2009. Topic: Addiction Medicine.

In this article I want to discuss how our culture sets us up for becoming an addict. Before I do it’s important to realize we are all in a trance. We are hypnotized by our culture. This is not necessarily a bad thing, it just is the way things are. It happens in every culture. [...]

The Myth of Resistance

Written By: Allen Berger, Ph.D. Author of 12 Stupid Things that Mess Up Recovery Date: February 5th, 2009. Topic: Chemical Dependency.

“The question arises as to whether psychotherapy, to be successful, must necessarily operate to lead to resistance in the client, or whether therapy can be practiced so as to eliminate, or minimize client resistance”. C.H. Patterson (2000). Introduction If you have worked with addicts then I am certain you have confronted the so called “difficult [...]