Crossing the Line from Alcohol Use to Abuse to Dependence

Article first published as Book Review: Crossing the Line from Alcohol Use to Abuse to Dependence by Lisa Frederiksen on Blogcritics.

“Crossing the Line from Alcohol Use to Abuse to Dependence” by Lisa Frederiksen is a very important resource for professionals and persons involved with those with alcohol issues. The reader will be able to learn the difference between alcohol use, abuse and alcoholism. Three stages of drinking are discussed. Twenty-one myths about alcohol are presented and an appendix is included with additional information and resources. The material is presented in a very easy-to-understand manner that is backed up with referenced scientific evidence. By clearing up the myths regarding alcohol use and dependence, readers who are engaging in alcohol use might recognize patterns that could be leading them to dependence. Hope is also offered for those who are already alcoholics, but the treatment involved is much more extensive.

Persons who have to deal with those close to them who are abusing alcohol will receive a great deal of eye opening information that will give them a better understanding of their roles with these individuals. This also involves gaining an understanding of how difficult it is to deal with Second Hand Drinking (SHD). Learning about the three stages of drinking will help them identify which stage the drinker is at. The higher the stage, the more extensive the damage is to the body, especially the brain. This is why it is critical that this information be read as soon as possible.

Having a Master’s of Science degree in a counseling field that covers rehabilitation counseling, I was very impressed with “Crossing the Line from Alcohol Use to Abuse to Dependence.” By writing the material in such a concise manner and backing it up with resources, including a link to the author’s site, this book is the perfect tool for those who are in need of this information. This book should be required reading for those pursuing careers in substance abuse. I really liked that the author clears up the many myths that are circulating regarding drinking. Ignorance and misinformation about alcoholism is prevalent in our society and in the media. I once asked a recovering addict of drugs and alcohol at what point he felt a person was an alcoholic. He personally felt that a person didn’t have a problem with alcohol until they started waking up in their own urine. This man has a doctorate in Chemistry!

I am very happy to have had the opportunity to have read “Crossing the Line from Alcohol Use to Abuse to Dependence” by Lisa Frederiksen. I feel that it will have a huge impact on being able to deal with those who are users and abusers in both my professional life as a college counselor and in my personal life as a human being with friends who have issues.


Crossing the Line from Alcohol Use to Abuse to Dependence
Lisa Frederiksen
KLJ Publishing (2012)
ISBN 9780981684468
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (4/12)