Secret Keeping: Overcoming Hidden Habits and Addictions

by John Howard Prin

Every day millions of people do things they hide from friends and family: gambling, shopping, adultery, eating disorders, drug use, and more. In fact, about one in fifteen people is living a secret life. That means somebody close to you may be a Secret Keeper. Or it could be you. For three decades, author and counselor John Howard Prin lived as a Secret Keeper, and his secret addictions escalated to near catastrophe. Since breaking the habit, he has...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1577315340
• ISBN13: 9781577315346
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: New World Library
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

John Prin's Book Unveils The History of Secrets in All Our Lives

I waited with anticipation to read John Prin's most recent book "Secret Keeping: Overcoming Hidden Habits and Addictions" after enjoying his last book "Stolen Hours." I'd highly recommend both as companion pieces. His latest book has something for everyone. It's amazing that in this current world of "tell all" we are living more secrets than ever. Mr. Prin doesn't throw the baby out with the bathwater by bashing all forms of secrets; on the contrary, he meticulously outlines the origins of secret keeping and ably distinguishes helpful and necessary ones from those that become chronic, destructive, and addictive. Mr. Prin's book kept me interested with its variety of angles. He interviews tales from his own life with the secret lives of other people both famous and in the headlines as well as the friend/family/or neigbhor next door. I saw myself in a lot of these scenarios--especially the story of the recovering shoplifting addict--something I've been in recovery from since 1990--but prior to that, I had led a secret life. This book also has great theories outlined and means to overcome secret lives, including hands-on exercises right in the book. With the New Year upon us, I'd encourage anyone interested in the topic of secrets to read this book. It will change your life for the better or, at least, help you help someone in need of an "honesty overhaul."

Toxic Secrets

Secret Keeping by John Prin is a latest clinical study of the origins, toxicity and healing of the secret keeping that warp and suffocate human experience. Prin takes his previous work further to suggest the myriad forces that tempt and drive the secret keeper, and then he shows the way out. With many illustrations, stories, graphics and current scholarship this engaging book is easily readable and highly useful. Our toxic secrets really do strangle us all, but Prin shows a way to new life.

A book of reassurance, encouragement and hope

John Prin's second book is not just for persons with secret addictions, but for everyone who cares about our fellow human beings and wants to learn more about us. We can all recognize someone in this book, whether it's a friend, family member or a public figure. The book is very readable and moves along swiftly, enriched by the many detailed personal stories of secret keepers. A very powerful part of this book is John Prin's sharing of his own personal 30-year experience of secret keeping and his recovery. The book is divided into 2 sections: "Problems and Consequences" in which the author explains the "degrees" of Secret Keeping (from benign to malignant), and "Solutions and Rewards" in which he offers 6 stages to successful recovery, with checklists and exercises to work through. In addition, this book has a strong feeling of hope, reassurance, patience, and encouragement along with a very welcome spiritual element.

Excellent and timely book!

Prin has the background and experience to knowledgeably help those with secret addictions and to inform their friends and families. His case studies are varied and well-presented. But the best is that he provides tools and concrete steps for working back to an honest and transparent lifestyle as well as real accountability. This is a much-needed book for our day and age where isolation is a major problem, and addictions so easy to hide.

Riveting, Hopeful, Helpful

"Excitement... pleasure... delight." To varying degrees, we all crave these qualities in our lives, and why not? Usually they serve to improve our tenor of our days. However, when our craving for excitement comes only from 'the excitement of breaking a rule'... and when our pleasures are chiefly derived from illicit or destructive acts... ... and when our delight in these activities comes only in the fact of 'getting away with it'.... then we're in big trouble, Bubba, whether we admit it or not. Mr. Prin hones in on the true causes of addiction, destructive behavior and self-loathing. In SECRET KEEPING, Prin offers readers a deeply moving tale of a previously skewed, unhappy life (Prin's personal autobiography, along with other case histories) on the one hand... and a riveting, inspiring 'how-to guide' on turning one's life around-yours, mine, anyone's-on the other. Prin's autobiographical segments keep the reader riveted, wondering what will happen next. His tried-and-true 'how-to' chapters-how to move from a life of dysfunction and unhappiness to one of authenticity and self-worth-are streamlined, succinct, and easy to understand. SECRET KEEPING guides readers along a six-step path on the continuum of dysfunction and addition to wholeness and recovery, helping them to... ° Surrender secret keeping habits and attitudes ° Accept one's duality and start understanding it ° Prepare to state the true facts about one's life ° Disclose secrets (true facts) to somebody ° Trust in a new world view, and to ° Account for present and future behavior Prin also provides 'Three Rs' to help motivate readers to improve their lives, wherein... ° Realistic thoughts replace distorted thoughts ° Positive feelings are restored, and ° One is able to reconnect with one's spirituality. Prin's latest book can help anyone along the seeker's path to finally become the whole-minded individual all of us wish to be. SECRET KEEPING is fine, fresh, and written in a manner that keeps the reader turning pages, far into the night. * * *