Praise for Erica Spiegelman and Rewired “Get Rewired! This phrase has two meanings. The first is get this book if you are interested in increasing your recovery capital. Recovery capital is concerned with the resources you can bring to bear on establishing and maintaining your recovery. Rewired will definitely increase your recovery capital. The second meaning to this phrase is that Rewired will also help you rewire some of your old or stinking thinking. Einstein has been credited with saying that you can’t solve a problem with the thinking that created it. This couldn’t be more true for the person suffering from addiction. Recovery requires a 180 degree shift in how you think about yourself, your relationships, and your problems. Rewired helps you develop a useful and practical perspective on what you can do to recover from this dreadful condition. I highly recommend this book.” —Allen Berger, Ph.D., author of 12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery, 12 Smart Things to Do When the Booze and Drugs Are Gone, and 12 Hidden Rewards of Making Amends “The Rewired approach models the importance of addressing addiction by becoming one’s own best guide rather than a follower of someone else’s directives. It shows a way of acceptance for an addict as well as friends and families affected by addiction. Rewired provides the principles and actions to cultivate and re-enforce a healthy self. It offers the tools to plot a path and to proceed step-by-step toward maintaining positive change. Erica Spiegelman has a strong and steady voice that is certain to inspire those troubled by addiction to feel confident in the path toward recovery that they designed and implemented.” —Gayle Byock, MA/MFT “There are so many mysteries surrounding addiction that not even the best medical people can solve them. That’s why we need a sort of ‘addiction detective’ to get to the bottom of these horrific diseases. In Rewired, our detective is Erica Spiegelman who, in plain, simple language, offers us a path to a better life. As it turns out, we were born with all the tools: love, hope, gratitude, honesty, and compassion. Erica explains how to use what we already have or can attain to navigate not just addiction but all the challenges of life. In the end, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, we can go back home and we can make a difference. One of the best recovery books I’ve ever read.” —Pat O’Brien, radio host, TV anchor, and author of I’ll Be Back Right After This “I have worked with Erica Spiegelman for several years in various treatment settings. I often refer clients to Erica and I hold her in the highest professional esteem for a number of reasons. Erica has an amazing ability to connect to people on a deep and sincere level. I consistently receive amazing feedback about her from our shared clients. She takes a holistic approach to treatment, meaning she helps individuals grow healthy spiritually, physically, and emotionally. She challenges her clients to become better people, but she does this in a completely safe and nonjudgmental manner. Her approach is forward thinking and innovative while maintaining a down to earth, intuitive wisdom. As a person, she has a bright loving energy that emanates to those around her.” —Amy Reichenbach, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist “I have known Erica Spiegelman for 6 years and I can’t say enough good things about her. She is brilliant with clients and colleagues she works with. Erica has a true gift of taking her clients to the next level so they can have the success they much deserve. I have loved to watch her work and grow in our industry.” —Ross Remien, Director and Founder, Living Rebos Outpatient/Sober Livings “There are few people who truly understand the disease of addiction and the attainability of recovery as well as Erica Spiegelman. Rewired is a must read for anyone seeking the essential internal tools to make recovery a reality.” —Robert L. Shapiro, Attorney and Chairman, The Brent Shapiro Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Awareness “Erica was my Chemical Dependency counselor while in rehab and while I was in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). She helped guide me through so many tough times, I don’t think she knew how often! There are times now that I may be feeling off and I can hear Erica in my head asking if that’s best for me. She will always be a dear friend and I thank her so much for helping to guide me through those dark days! Oh and I have been clean from opiates for 18 months!” —Mary Tercero, client testimonial “Working with Erica has helped me realize that it was my behaviors that needed to change. She helped me see that I am worthy of change, a good life, and health. I highly recommend seeing Erica for counseling and guidance. She helped change my life. I have stopped using substances and am sober almost two years. I have so much beauty in my life now.” —Jake T., client testimonial Hatherleigh Press is committed to preserving and protecting the natural resources of the earth. Environmentally responsible and sustainable practices are embraced within the company’s mission statement. Visit us at www.hatherleighpress.com and register online for free offers, discounts, special events, and more. Rewired Text copyright © 2015 Erica Spiegelman All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request. ISBN 978-1-57826-565-7 eBook ISBN: 978-1-57826566-4 v3.1 CONTENTS Cover Title Page Copyright Dedication Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: AUTHENTICITY Chapter 2: HONESTY Chapter 3: EVOLUTION Chapter 4: SOLITUDE Chapter 5: TIME MANAGEMENT Chapter 6: SELF-CARE Chapter 7: HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS Chapter 8: GRATITUDE Chapter 9: COMPASSION Chapter 10: LOVE Chapter 11: AFFIRMATIONS AND INTENTIONS Chapter 12: HOPE Appendix: For Friends and Loved Ones of Addicts Resources About the Author To every soul that has been touched by addiction. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My intention by writing this book is to help people; to give them hope and a way to lead and live a healthy life. I am sharing what has helped me and countless others. Every person deserves to find a path to sobriety and a life full of health, happiness, and love. I am here to help you navigate your journey. This book is for everyone. It’s for the sober, newly sober, those who are contemplating getting sober, those who may be dependent on substances, those struggling with unhealthy habits, and for anyone trying to change their life for the better. This book is also intended to help the friends and family of those struggling with addiction. I would like to thank the people who have shown unconditional support, friendship, companionship, and love. My mother, Susie, who gave me life, also saved my life. She never gave up. She asked me over and over again if there was something wrong and if I needed help, until I cracked. Thank you, Mom, for your unconditional love; for being so persistent, resilient, comforting, caring, and supportive; and for being my light. To my Dad, Marc, thank you for being my number one supporter and champion. You have been unconditionally “bursting with pride” in everything I have done in life. You have always made me feel so loved, safe, and special. To Jayne, my stepmom, for being my biggest cheerleader, always supporting me, and for being a rock for our family—proud, loving and someone who I can talk to about anything. Thank you. To my wonderful brothers, Max, Jordan, and Joe. Thank you for allowing me to be my authentic self, for always showing me your support and love, and for telling me how proud you are. I am so lucky and grateful to be your sister.