You’re Not God, That Job Is Taken is a new book written by Scott Silverman. It was in 2015 that I reviewed his prior book, Tell me No. I Dare you! Scott is well known in the substance recovery world in San Diego for his work in recovery programs. We met many years ago when we were both being solicited to work at a college-age recovery effort. When he set out to write his new book, he asked me for my thoughts about this content, and we had many invigorating conversations about the book as he worked to write down his ideas. While this book is relevant to recovery from substance abuse for both patients and family members alike, it is really a helpful guide to people who are struggling with all areas of growing up and maturing, be that as adolescents or adults.
From the beginning, I did not like his title, but he insistently hung on to it. His beautifully and compassionately written Preface and Introduction explain what he had in mind when he stuck with the title. This monograph is not meant to be religious or even God-fearing. Rather, he simply points out the dangers of trying to to know everything, trying to be in control of all circumstances, whether that is working as a CEO or just raising a child who has been hooked on alcohol and/or drugs. He accurately quoted the British pediatrician turned psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott who wrote about being “good enough,” a phrase that is appropriate for so many areas of functioning in our complex social environment.
I give this book a 5-star rating and encourage you to give it a look.
Don Houts, MD, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst
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