In Help! I’m Addicted writer and performer Rhyannon Styles uses her experience with alcohol and drug addiction as a starting point to explore the broader experiences of transgender and non-binary people concerning mental health, addiction, and recovery.

Throughout the book, we hear stories from trans and non-binary people about their struggles with addiction, recovery, and how, if at all, that intersected with their transition. For many people, including Styles, 12-step fellowships are crucial in their recovery. For others, 12-step programmes were not how they entered or maintained recovery. I appreciated the understanding that 12-step fellowships are not a prerequisite for everyone in recovery from addiction. This nuance is something we see more frequently in conversations about addiction, which is welcome. I am always here for more nuance in addiction-related conversations.

While Help! I’m Addicted does not shy away from the complexities of addiction; it is a hopeful book.