Finding Rat Park
A Handbook for Recovery
A groundbreaking handbook for recovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about addiction. Based on the revolutionary “Rat Park” experiments, this book offers a new perspective on healing through connection.
What people are saying
This book is a masterpiece – written with such simplicity, clarity and kindness. And using the Rat Park analogy is a stroke of genius. It could be life-changing for anyone going through recovery or any kind of challenges
Finding Rat Park feels personal – like a friend has taken your hand and said ‘it’s OK, there’s a way through’ as they lead you through the maze. Finding Rat Park unlocks recovery for all. It does not judge and it does not assume and it’s an invaluable companion for any recovery journey.
What I really like is how accessible it is, especially in the layout and with the helpful hints at the end of each chapter. The risk assessment section I think is really valuable… It really is a great piece of work.
About the Book
With 137,749 adults having entered treatment for drug or alcohol dependency in 2022 to 2023, there are very few families in the UK unaffected by addiction. The link between homelessness and addiction also cannot be ignored, as all too often people exit treatment with little or no follow on support, meaning that they are often both poorly equipped and massively overwhelmed when trying to navigate the recovery process.
Finding Rat Park was written primarily to address these issues, providing tried and tested tips and tools along with practical and emotional support in order to assist and encourage anyone starting out on their recovery journey. Written with the empathy and insight that only comes from lived experience, Finding Rat Park is a must have resource for anyone seeking positive change and also for those who support them.
“Admission into detox was never a goal of mine. I didn’t ever aspire to become an alcoholic. They were the people on benches or sitting in doorways with their cheap cans of lager or extra strength cider. Not me. It was never, ever supposed to be me, only it turns out that what I thought was irrelevant, because I became one anyway.”
Denise Harrison, author of Finding Rat Park
Research-Based
Built on groundbreaking scientific
studies and real-world evidence
Personal Stories
Real experiences from people
who’ve walked the recovery path
Expert Insights
Combined wisdom from healthcare
professionals & lived experience
About the Author
Denise Harrison is an award-winning writer, film-maker and journalist whose work has been published in Inside Housing magazine, Metro and The Big Issue, as well as in Performing Recovery magazine, Happiful, and several not for profits. She lives in Dorset with her partner and her dog.
Drawing from her own recovery journey and extensive research, Denise brings a unique perspective to addiction recovery that combines personal experience with evidence-based approaches.
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