You absolutely need to buy the book. MWO is a holistic program that needs to be understood in totality for you to get the most out of it. Trying to do it without the book is a little like driving from LA to New York on back roads without a map. Yeah, you might get there eventually, but it would be a hell out of a lot faster if you take the interstate.

And RJ is as far from preachy as a human being can get. I think that's part of why we are all so drawn to her approach. Her story is extremely moving, and her approach extremely practical.

The hypno tapes are kind of one of those 'you just got to experience them' kind of things. They are extremely relaxing, good anxiety releasers and helpful at grounding your desire to manage your drinking. James (the hypnotherapist) takes a little getting used to, but you come to look forward to his voice.

As for which medication (if any for some people) you choose, that is clearly a personal choice. But I think you are short changing yourself to try and make that choice without having read the book. I personally am taking Topa and find the side effects completely manageable. I'm in my fifth week, and they are almost completely gone.

Clearly, I have a point-of-view on this, but I feel this therapy has been extraordinarily successful for me, and I see no reason for people not to try and follow it as closely as they can (at least at first) until they discover what works best for them and adapt as required.

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HadEnough