Admitting to, seeking help for and recovering from any addiction is an amazing accomplishment! And to share with honest transparency one’s own battles with raging internal demons is also admirable. But to exquisitely draft one’s story in black and white for all to bare witness to and in turn learn from is beyond extraordinary!

Former addict Joe Herzanek turned survivor, warrior and counselor along with his wife and co-author Judy, reveal their story in Why Don’t They Just Quit. This book is real! Together as a family and as individuals, they have “walked the walk.”

The raw, honest, in-your-face openness without excuses or embarrassment is so genuine you can’t help but relate to the struggle. We all have internal demons, just to varying degrees.

But life-ruining addiction is not a battle to be won without an army along side you and Herzanek knows and admits to this fact. He identifies every manipulation, avoidance, denial, blame game, excuse etc. that addicts use to avoid responsibility. And he knows them all because he has used them all.

This self-help book is the 2008 Indie Book Award Winner. It is well written and laden with real effective techniques for families and friends of addicts. What to do and what NOT to do; What to watch for; When and how to help; and so much more.

I especially appreciated his straight forward, user-friendly approach; at times I felt like Joe was in talking to me in real time. The book is for everyone and anyone struggling not only with addictive personalities but also basic challenging parenting issues

My favorites simple but powerful messages are:

“Do you love your child enough to let him be mad at you? Don Williams

“When you blame others, you give up your power to change.” Robert Anthony ( )