A "revolutionary" look at how addictions work and how people can master their own addictive behaviors (Edward Hallowell, MD)."In a field rife with misinformation, this book represents a bright beacon of light . . . I recommend it wholeheartedly." —The Psychoanalytic QuarterlyNobody has had an answer for why people with addictions continue to repeat them—until now . . .For more than twenty years, distinguished psychiatrist Dr. Lance Dodes has been successfully helping people master their addictions—alcoholism, compulsive gambling, smoking, sexual addiction, and more—with a radical approach. Dr. Dodes describes how all addictions have, at their heart, unrecognized emotional factors that explain:- Why we feel the impulse- Why we feel it when we do- What alternatives (really) work in that critical momentIn this refreshing book filled with compelling case studies, Dr. Dodes debunks several such widely accepted myths as:- Addictions are fundamentally a physical problem- People with addictions are different from other people- You have to hit bottom before you can get well- You are wasting your time if you ask "why" you have an addiction"Destined to become a classic guide to understanding repetitive, excessive, and self-destructive behavior patterns. The illustrative cases are riveting, entertaining, and illuminating. This book marks a revolution in self-help. In fact, this book belongs on the shelf of every treatment professional facing patients with addictive behaviors." —Howard J. Shaffer, PhD, CAS, Director, Division of Addictions, Harvard Medical School
