Psychotherapist Mike Pond built a life helping others struggling with addiction, but he could not help himself. In the first part of his gripping memoir, he recounts how he lost his practice, his home, and his family as a result of his out-of-control drinking and how abstinence-based treatment regimes failed to help him. Not one to give up easily, he, along with his partner, Maureen Palmer, embarked on a quest for evidence-based treatments—science-backed therapies that don’t always demand abstinence—a search chronicled in the book’s new second half.

A Note On the Memoir Process

In telling this story, we needed to be respectful of people’s privacy and the need for confidentiality in some circumstances. Many names and other identifying information have been changed. This book is Mike Pond’s truth. These things really happened. As much as possible we’ve corroborated his recollection of events with those who were also there. Several people have remarked on Mike’s uncanny ability to recall precise details.