Change or Die: Abuse to Addiction to Abundance

Product Description

This is a revealing true story that will engage, shock, and make you laugh, as well as doubling up as a self-help and personal development book. It begins in an impoverished environment of abuse and violence. Years of drinking eventually resulted in being sectioned in a psychiatric hospital as an alcoholic with mental health issues. After a number of months, I escaped from this hospital and managed to continue to make a complete mess of my life. At 34 I tried to stop drinking. Silly me! I ended up in a coma on my death bed with delirium tremors (DTs). This time I was sent to a rehabilitation unit where I was interned with alcoholics, drug addicts, criminals and murderers. They provided the love support and encouragement I needed to turn my life around. I completed several degrees, set up a successful counseling/psychotherapy business for twenty-five years and eventually travel the world teaching etiquette. The intentions of writing this book are not only to provide a compelling story but to impart with the psychological insights gleaned on my journey of recovery and give any reader who needs it hope and inspiration.
What do the reviews say? I loved this book, A “rags to riches”  book about life, told with a wonderfully dark sense of humour. It is written with many amusing anecdotes to create a feel-good feeling that humans can overcome the most difficult and harsh times in their lives and create the happiness and wellbeing they deserve. I feel it will give hope to many people out there experiencing addiction, mental health issues, bereavement, loss, or abuse of any type, that you can overcome any issues and make the life you would want for yourself. Great read.  

Review

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This deserves 5 stars, not least to acknowledge Catherine’s sheer energy, honesty and determination against all the odds, despite difficult relationships within her family during her childhood and again in her abusive marriage and later beating alcoholism. She never gave up and , despite being dyslexic, achieved impressive qualifications and work as a preacher, a counselor and later etiquette training. These skills took her all around the world. Life was often challenging, but never dull.

Linda Franklin secretary to consultant at Newcastle Health Authority. 

“A searingly honest life story described without frills. The prose is peppered with an innate sense of humour which takes you on a journey of triumph over adversity. Catherine is forthright and charismatic. The sort of character once met never to be forgotten. Simply superb and highly recommended.”

Carol Barwick 
Hypnotherapy D.Hyp, IEMT, TFT, MAPHP (ACC), CNHC An award-winning Clinical Hypnotherapist with a reputation for delivering result

From the Back Cover

This true story, is an informative, revealing read for anyone who has struggled with abuse, addiction, mental health or many other issues. You will be taken on a turbulent, adventurous and at times heartbreaking journey beginning in poverty and abuse, going on to become a highly respected professional in the field of psychotherapy, having a heart attack, dealing with cancer and eventually teaching in numerous countries around the world. 

Just to give a small glimpse of what’s in store: abuse, poverty, hunger, death, abandonment, crime, violence, addiction, psychosis, DTs, sectioned in a mental hospital,  rehab, psychotherapy, love, higher education, business ventures, escapades around the world, divine intervention, mysticism and even miracles. 

Not only does this book have a rich story line, it is also rich in the treasures it provides to give insight, education, psychological knowledge and inspiration to the reader.  I speak not only from the damage an abusive childhood and addiction causes, but also with the expertise of working for over 30 years as a successful counsellor and psychotherapist. Therefore, also making this book invaluable to anyone working in the caring profession as well as counsellors, psy