The Heart of Addiction: A New Approach to Understanding and Managing Alcoholism and Other Addictive Behaviors - Softcover

Dodes, Lance

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0060958030 ISBN 13: 9780060958039

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2002

Synopsis

William Morrow & Company

About this title

Review:

"In a field rife with misinformation, this book represents a bright beacon of light... I recommend it wholeheartedly."--The Psychoanalytic Quarterly

Synopsis:

THE HEART OF ADDICTION offers a new way to think about and control addictive behaviour. Dodes rejects pat explanations of alcoholism as a disease and instead explores the underlying emotions that drive addictive behaviours. In his practice and research, Dodes has found that virtually every addictive act is preceded by a feeling of helplessness or powerlessness. The addictive behaviour--be it drinking, gambling, or obsessive sex--serves to repair this feeling. The paradox is that the out of control behaviour actually gives the addict a sense of being empowered or in control - but that the addiction is a substitute for some other, more useful response. With compassion and deep understanding, Dodes provides readers with the keys to mastering their addiction by helping them uncover: why they feel the impulse, why they feel it when they do, and what they can do to address the emotional needs in another way.

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0060958030
• ISBN 13: 9780060958039
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272