Every single one of this books provided the scaffolding for rewiring by brain out of addiction.
The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch :
This book was central in allowing me to look at addiction very mechanically and it was the catalyst for everything that I learned.
The 4 hour work week by Tim Ferriss
This book is based on the 80/20 principle. I asked the questions that Tim Ferriss suggests; 1. "what if I did the opposite?" 2. "What would this look like if it were simple?" Which helped me to deconstruct addiction and to realize how flawed the 12 step model was.
The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin :
An amazing book about how to master a skill. His way of explaining learning through making smaller and smaller circles had a huge impact on how I mastered the skill of rewiring my brain out of addiction.
12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson :
I leaned so much from this book. Amazing since he spends so much of it referencing the bible, and I am an atheist. Don't let that discourage you from reading it, he is one of the most intelligent and insightful thinkers of our day.
The Tao of Seneca presented by Tim Ferriss:
Stoic philosophy can be one of the most potent tools for not just addicts, but everyone. This had such a huge impact on Tim Ferriss's life that he created an audiobook and gives it away for free on Audible.
Stealing Fire by Steven Kolter & Jaimie Wheal:
How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs and Mavrick Scientists are Revolutionizing the way we Live and Work. From meditation to religious experiences to psychedelics, they are all ticking the same boxes. Probably my favorite book.
How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan :
What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches us about Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence. Psychedelics were the catalyst that made beating addiction possible. Psilocybin did for me in six hours what 12 step meeting couldn’t do for me in ten years.
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari:
A Brief History of Humankind. Understanding exactly what it means to be human is a superpower. Once you understand that biology is a game with carrots and sticks designed to promote behavior you can, in a sense, decide not to play when it doesn't serve you.
Mistakes Were Made but Not By Me by Carol Tavris and Elliot Arnoson:
A book about the cognitive dissonance, all the ways in which we fool ourselves into believing what we want. Self deception is one of the biggest factors in addiction so this book is a very big gun in the fight against it.
Waking Up by Sam Harris:
A guide to Spirituality Without Religion. Atheists are basically left behind by 12 step. This book provides a road map to meaning for people who find the idea of a God or higher power to be quite simply unbelievable.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephan R Covey:
It's full of advice on taking control of your life, teamwork, self-renewal, mutual benefit, pro activity, and other paths to private and public victory.