SPECIAL PRAISE FOR
SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED
“An exceptional find! There are books about addiction, books about chronic pain, and books about recovery, but it is a rarity to find a book that addresses the three together. Some Assembly Required offers the reader a powerful portrayal of the interplay of drug abuse and chronic pain and is equally strong in its emphasis on the tools that offer recovery from both. Dan Mager quickly captures the reader with his gifted use of words, metaphors, and brutal honesty. This is a must-read for anyone, personally or professionally, who wants to understand addiction, living with addiction and chronic pain, and recovery. Educational and thought-provoking—it is an inspiring read.”
Claudia Black, PhD
Addiction Specialist
Author of It Will Never Happen to Me, A Hole in the Sidewalk, The Truth Begins with You, and coauthor of Intimate Treason
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“Dan Mager uses his personal and professional experience to illustrate how twelve-step recovery can be combined with mindfulness-based practices, as well as Western psychological theory and psychotherapeutic approaches. Written with insight and humor, this book is a heartfelt story of how the integration of these elements can facilitate the internal shift from chronic avoidance of one’s emotional and physical pain to acceptance of it. For those struggling with addiction and chronic pain, and the professionals who desire to help them, Some Assembly Required is an important read.”
John C. Friel, PhD
MN and NV Licensed Psychologist
Author of The Power and Grace Between Nasty or Nice: Replacing Entitlement, Narcissism, and Incivility with Knowledge, Caring, and Genuine Self-Esteem and The 7 Best Things Happy Couples Do
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“Anyone searching for an interesting education in the chronic pain and addiction genres will find Some Assembly Required a must-read. I especially appreciate Dan Mager’s unique perspective and broad-based approach to recovery and living with both addiction and chronic pain in a way that works for him, rather than against him. Starting with the Introduction, I was immediately brought into his turbulent journey and fall from grace, and then how he marched through fear to find hope and healing. Dan’s way of illustrating the progression and accompanying internal dialogues of active addiction is incredibly powerful. What a great book!”
Jason Z W Powers, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Right Step, Spirit Lodge, and San Cristobal of Elements Behavioral Health Author of When the Servant Becomes the Master
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“Dan Mager has written an instructive tale about his struggle with addiction and chronic pain and the power of denial, while offering hope and guidance in sharing his path to recovery.”
David E. Smith, MD
Founder of Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinics of San Francisco Past President of American Society of Addiction Medicine Chief of Addiction Medicine, Newport Academy Author of Unchain Your Brain
[SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED]
[SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED]
A Balanced Approach to Recovery
from Addiction and Chronic Pain
DAN MAGER
Central Recovery Press (CRP) is committed to publishing exceptional materials addressing addiction treatment, recovery, and behavioral healthcare topics, including original and quality books, audio/visual communications, and web-based new media. Through a diverse selection of titles, we seek to contribute a broad range of unique resources for professionals, recovering individuals and their families, and the general public.
For more information, visit www.centralrecoverypress.com.
© 2013 by Central Recovery Press
All rights reserved. Published 2013.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
Publisher: Central Recovery Press
3321 N. Buffalo Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89129
18 17 16 15 14 13 1 2 3 4 5
ISBN: 978-1-937612-26-9 (e-book)
Author photo by Beth Kovac. Used with permission.
Grateful Dead lyrics by Robert Hunter and John Barlow; © copyright Ice Nine Publishing Company. Used with permission.
Quotations from The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times, Pema Chödrön, 2001 and The Wisdom of No Escape and the Path of Loving-Kindness, Pema Chödrön, 1991. Reprinted by arrangement with Shambhala Publications, Inc., Boston, MA. www.shambhala.com.
Publisher’s Note: This is a memoir; a work based on facts recorded to the best of the author’s memory. Our books represent the experiences and opinions of our authors only. Every effort has been made to ensure that events, institutions, and statistics presented in our books as facts are accurate and up-to-date. To protect their privacy, the names of some of the people and institutions in this book have been changed.
This book also contains general information about chronic pain, addiction, and addiction treatment. The information is not medical advice, and should not be treated as such. CRP makes no representations or warranties in relation to the medical information in this book; this book is not an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information in this or any book.
Cover and interior design and layout by Sara Streifel, Think Creative Design
To my daughters, who have taught me a depth of love I never knew existed, and who continue to teach me what unconditional love really means.
To my parents, who only wanted the best for me, and have always loved me to the best of their ability.
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