Resource Library - Beyond the first Step

Resources to Strengthen Your Healing Journey

Beyond the First Steps

Healing is rarely a straight line, and it is rarely shaped by only one voice. The Detox with Jesus Resource Library exists to support the ongoing journey of restoration by gathering trusted books, teachings, videos, websites, and recovery tools that speak to the deeper roots of pain: abuse, narcissism, trauma, addiction, codependency, spiritual bondage, and the long road back to wholeness.

Rather than pointing to a single “right” resource, this library reflects a shared truth: when something truly helps us heal, we often want to learn more from the same author, teacher, or survivor whose words resonated with our own story. For this reason, many entries focus on authors and voices, knowing that each book, video, or website often opens the door to further learning through additional works, teachings, and platforms.

The seven focus areas below reflect both the spiritual completeness of God’s healing work and the practical steps we take as participants in that healing. These categories are offered as a guide - not a limitation - for contributors to share resources that have genuinely impacted their recovery and growth.

You are invited not only to explore what is listed here, but also to add the resources that helped you - the book that named your pain, the video that gave language to your experience, the teacher who helped you recognize truth from control, or the tool that supported your freedom in Christ. Together, we are building a living, growing library shaped by real journeys, honest learning, and the shared hope of restoration.

Abuse & Recovery – Emotional, Verbal, Physical

Katherine Fieldman ... He Wonders Why I Cry:  My Journey Living, Surviving and Leaving a Domestic Abuse Relationship (Not all abuse is physical, emotional abuse can have a much greater toll.) 

Linda Dynel … Leaving Dorian: A memoir of hope (… widely read by intimate partner violence help center coordinators and directors, as well as by victim and survivor groups. It’s also used as a textbook in graduate and undergraduate Criminology, Victimology, Social Work, Sociology and Psychology courses, as well as by the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy as a training text for new recruits) 

Dr. Susan Forward, Joan Torres … Men Who Hate Women and the Women Who Love Them: When Loving Hurts and You Don't Know Why (… understanding misogyny)

J. & C. Franklin … Love Like You've Never Been Hurt:  Hope, Healing and the Power of an Open Heart (… repair damaged relationships, learn how to love like you've never been hurt)

Tia Levings … A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy  (… in the patriarchy, a woman with opinions is in danger, more about Quiverfull movement)

Abuse & Recovery – Spiritual Bondage

J. Lee Grady ... 25 Tough Questions About Women and the Church:  Answers from God's Word that will Set Women Free (… also 10 Lies The Church Tells Women … and more)

Sydney Koh ... Can't You Smell the Smoke?  A Christian Woman's Journey Dealing With A Narcissistic Husband

Brian Howard ...  The Christian Narcissist:  How to Recognize This Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (… this book helps the sheep recognize red flags … escape toxic relationships)

Dr. James B. Richards … Escape from Codependent Christianity: From Religious Control to Spiritual Freedom (… trying to get from others what only God can truly give)

Understanding Narcissism & Toxic Control

D.C. Robertsson ... The First Shall Be Last:  A Biblical Perspective on Narcissism

Shannon L. Alder ... The Narcissistic Abuse Recovery Bible:  Spiritual Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse (… this book starts with discovery and ends with comfort.)

Laura Richards ... Married to a "Nice" Guy:  Getting Over Narcissistic Abuse

Ramani S. Durvasula Ph.D … Should I Stay or Should I Go: Surviving A Relationship with a Narcissist (… reclaim yourself, find healing, an empowered life – whether you stay or go)

Amy White … Narcissistic Abuse Recovery: A Guide to Breaking Free from Gaslighting, Manipulation, and Emotional Abuse, and Becoming Whole Again

Gaslighting, Trauma Bond & Complex PTSD

Annette Smith … Break Free from Gaslighting: Steps for Healing from Manipulation, Mental and Emotional Abuse (Gaslighting Recovery Series Book 1) 

Annette Smith … Life After Gaslighting: 90 Days to Healing, Boundaries, and Emotional Freedom After Manipulation and Mental Abuse (Gaslighting Recovery Series Book 2)

Annette Smith … Succeed After Gaslighting: A Healing Guide to Dating and Relationships After Manipulation, Mental and Emotional Abuse (Gaslighting Recovery Series Book 3)

Kellie Davis … The Trauma Bond Cured: How to Break Free from a Trauma Bond, Let Go of Toxic Love, Heal from Emotional Abuse, and Rebuild Your Self-Worth (If you've ever felt like you were addicted to your ex, couldn’t walk away, or found yourself drawn to the same type of toxic partner again and again, this book is for you.)

Pete Walker … Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A GUIDE AND MAP FOR RECOVERING FROM CHILDHOOD TRAUMA (… If you felt unwanted, unliked, rejected, hated and/or despised for a lengthy portion of your childhood, trauma may be deeply engrained in your mind, soul and body. This book is also for those who want to understand and help a loved one. … tools and techniques for recovering from childhood trauma.) 

Tim Fletcher … https://www.timfletcher.ca – check out the “store” to find affordable courses to help with your healing journey (… Trauma a is not what happens to you. Trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you. - Gabor Maté)

Recovery & Addiction (All Types) Support

Pia Mellody, A.W. Miller … Facing Love Addiction: Giving Yourself the Power to Change the Way You Love (… break dysfunctional and addictive patterns in relationships). 

Jackie Pullinger, Andrew Quicke … Chasing the Dragon: One Woman's Struggle Against the Darkness of Hong Kong's Drug Dens (And as she spoke of Jesus Christ, brutal hoods were converted, prostitutes retired from their trade, and heroin junkies found new power that freed them from the bondage of drug addiction. Hundreds discovered new life in Christ.)

Zondervan (Rick Warren, John Baker) NIV, Celebrate Recovery Study Bible (35th Anniversary Edition) (Celebrate Recovery is a biblically-based program that helps those who are struggling by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through the recovery process. This program is offered in thousands of churches worldwide.)

William G. Borchert … The Lois Wilson Story: When Love is not Enough, The Biography of the Cofounder of Al-Anon. (… bringing healing to the family affected by alcoholism)

Al-Anon … One Day at a Time in Al-Anon
Narcotics Anonymous ... Just for Today
Alcoholics Anonymous ... Twenty-Four Hours a Day

Codependency and Dysfunctional Families

Lucas Kinkaid ... My Canvas Bag ( … for discussions in family groups, and good for those who have gone through a dysfunctional childhood and felt as if they were the only one)

Lisa A.  Romano … The Road Back to Me: Healing and Recovering From Co-dependency, Addiction, Enabling, and Low Self Esteem. 

Henry Cloud … Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life (… set healthy boundaries with spouses, children, friends, parents, co-workers, and even yourself - in order to live life to the fullest.)

Dr. Kevin Leman … When Your Best Isn't Good Enough: Breaking Free from Perfectionism (… for those who procrastinate, set unrealistic goals, or continually try to please others)

Communication & Conflict Resolution

Evy Poumpouras ... Becoming Bulletproof: Protect Yourself, Read People, Influence Situations, and Live Fearlessly

Miranda J. Chivers … Unequally Yoked: Staying Committed to Jesus and Your Unbelieving Spouse (… this book provides tools to enhance communication and healing)

Barrie Davenport … Emotional Abuse Breakthrough Scripts:  107 Empowering Responses and Boundaries to Use with Your Abuser

Emerson Eggerichs Ph.D. … Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs (… deeper intimacy, better communication skills, renewed passion)

J. Kramer, M. Caussin … The Good Fight: Wanting to Leave, Choosing to Stay, and the Powerful Practice for Loving Faithfully (… they have communicated, prayed, forgiven and radically embraced each other – lessons on how to give and receive lasting love

Spiritual Growth in Jesus – Grace over Performance

Nick Vujicic ... Be the Hands and Feet: Living Out God's Love for All His Children (check out many other books by Nick Vujicic)

Rob Reimer … River Dwellers:  Living in the Fullness of the Spirit

Philip Yancey … Where Is God When It Hurts? Your Pain Is Real . . . When Will It End?

L.Story, J. Schuchman … When God Doesn't Fix It: Lessons You Never Wanted to Learn, Truths You Can't Live Without (God may not fix everything but with Jesus YOU can.)

Jaden Patterson … What I Wish Someone Told Me About Christianity – this is a  a video about breaking free from the lie that Christianity is about being “good enough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHl6Q1Lw8KQ   

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    Have a question or a resource to recommend? We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’ve found a book, video, or course that helped in your healing journey that you want to share with others, or you’d like guidance on which starter kit is right for you, our team is here to listen and help.
    Every resource posted in this resource library is prayerfully reviewed to ensure it aligns with the heart of Detox with Jesus: freedom through faith, healing through love, and transformation through truth. Please use the form below to share your suggestions and comments - together we will keep this library alive and growing!
    “May this library become a place of shared wisdom and healing love.” “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
    – Hebrews 10:24