A local author is launching her fourth book, about how to diagnose and find recovery from addiction, in August at October Books in Portswood.

“Addictions are a mental health illness which gets terrible press, I'm on a mission to change the story!!” says Sarina Wheatman, who says her greatest wish is “to be able To 'Change Perceptions' (about addiction)”.

Sarina’s Communication and Connection (AKA – Relapse Prevention) talks about how to diagnose and find recovery from addiction. 

She says: “It describes the disease of addiction which is not universally seen as a disease, which results in many people suffering needlessly. The title of the book Communication and Connection is promoted as one of the most essential 'tools' of recovery.  The book is interlaced with different examples of people who are in the illness or in recovery, and the vast changes that need to take place to find and keep recovery.”

Sarina added: “It is a short and easy-to-read book which is not in the least academic.  It was written especially for the jittery hard to concentrate minds of the addicted person, in the hope it offers solutions to the addict, their families or concerned friends.”

The launch and signing takes place at October Books, 189 Portswood Road on August 13 at 11am.

For more events at October Books see their website at https://www.octoberbooks.org/events

• Southampton City Council is currently consulting until September 4 on its draft Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Strategy. More information and take part here