I have had the privilege of reading “Believe.” As Chairman of Odyssey House I would like to congratulate Raphael Aron for his personal and enlightening account of the addiction issue which will enable the reader to gain a profound understanding of the problems faced by addicts in their struggle to regain control of their lives
Mr John Winneke AC. RFD, QC
CHAIRMAN, ODYSSEY HOUSE VICTORIA
Retired Judge and former President, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Victoria

 

This deeply compassionate, honest and wise book about addictions and the struggle to overcome them should be on every psychotherapist’s and psychiatrist’s bookshelf. And on the shelf of every addict wrestling with the difficult demons that block the arduous yet deeply meaningful road to recovery. Raphael Aron gives us an essential text on addiction by taking us inside a recovering addict’s psychotherapy. He interweaves and elucidates the necessary theoretical stages of his psychotherapeutic work with a young woman addict with extracts of her journals, as she struggles to learn to live with her raw feelings and recreate her life. In this twice-told story - the raw words of a brave woman writing in her diary, and a skilled and experienced therapist’s description of the recovery process - we have an illuminating dual perspective on the difficult work that must be done by both parties. The perilous nature of this journey is represented by the poetry of another addict who lost his battle, constantly reminding the reader that this is the work of life and death. But most valuable in this unique book, I think, is its deep compassion. One cannot read it without empathizing deeply with the addicts who fight for recovery: ‘..there but for the grace of God go I…” Aron achieves a profound empathy, humanism, and a moving description of the soul’s yearning which is too often missing in the dry manuals of current therapy textbooks. He shows us that the relationship of therapist and recovering addict is at the absolute centre of survival, change and growth. Not only a valuable guide to treatment, this book is a healing experience for patient, therapist and family alike.”
Dr Rebecca Adams, MB.BS, Consultant Psychiatrist
Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology

 

Raphael Aron has been able to penetrate and understand the minds of addicts. He provides the reader with insight into their complicated relationships and the difficulties they experience, and shows that addiction is a family disease.

Raphael shows a deep understanding of the recovery process and its trials and tribulations. The book is testimony to the role of specialized professional counselling in motivating and sustaining change - Sarah lived.  That Adam died demonstrates the terrifying power of addictive disease. This book should be read by all addicts, and especially by the families of still suffering and recovering addicts.
Dr Naham (Jack) Warhaft, MBBS, Grad. Dip. Substance Abuse, FANZCA, FAChAM. Specialist Physician in Addiction Medicine; past Medical Director, Victorian Doctors Health Program.

 

Despite substantial publicity and information drives by government, today’s youth still fail to grasp the insidious and destructive capacity of illicit drugs. The poignant stories contained in his latest book, ‘Believe’ should be read by every parent and concerned family member.  
Dr Alan Rembach, BSc (Hons) Monash PhD (Unimelb)Postdoctoral Research Fellow CSIRO

 

‘Believe’ provides a compelling insight into the life and struggle which surrounds drug addiction as well as the effects that addiction has on the extended family. For parents and community leaders the book sheds light on one of the most pressing issues confronting young people today.
Rabbi Mendel Kastel CEO, The Jewish House Crisis Centre, Sydney

 

A kooky bus with syringes painted on the side used to drive around my neighborhood. The man behind the wheel was Raphael Aron, the anti-drug guy. Far from an armchair commentator, Raphael is someone who has actually gone to the shadows of society to help people, and returned with an original insight.
John Safran, presenter, ABC television and Triple J radio.