The purpose of this book is to develop a psychological understanding of a range of addictive behaviours or excessive appetites. The lively description of five forms of addiction - alcohol, drugs, food, gambling and sexuality draws upon historical, social and clinical material. The author has emphasized social psychological processes but the role of biological factors in addiction are carefully considered. The book, which will be of particular interest to all concerned with the relationship between behaviour and health, as well as to practitioners and trainees in the mental health disciplines, is important for its presentation of a major alternative to a disease view of addiction.
"user friendly, written in an easy, unpretentious style, with illuminating quotations and relevant tables and references. For students or any reader interested in addiction, this book is a reliable crash course. For those who work in the field, it is a substantial contribution to the debate about what addiction is." (Addiction Today, September 2001)
"This classic text .... should be of value to any person who wishes to add to their understanding ofthe area, whether for the purposes of treatment, prevention, harm
reduction or for personal education." (Addiction, Vol.97 2002)
"...wide ranging and well argued..a reliable crash course..." (Addiction Today, September/October 2001)
" It s a damn good read stuffed with interesting anecdotes, quotations and data " (European Eating Disorders Review, Vol.10, No.1–2, 2002)
" a wonderfully comprehensive reference book." (Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy, Vol.31, 2003)
"user friendly, written in an easy, unpretentious style, with illuminating quotations and relevant tables and references. For students or any reader interested in addiction, this book is a reliable crash course. For those who work in the field, it is a substantial contribution to the debate about what addiction is."
(Addiction Today, September 2001)
"This classic text .... should be of value to any person who wishes to add to their understanding ofthe area, whether for the purposes of treatment, prevention, harm reduction or for personal education." (Addiction, Vol.97 2002)
"...wide ranging and well argued..a reliable crash course..." (Addiction Today, September/October 2001)
" It s a damn good read stuffed with interesting anecdotes, quotations and data " (European Eating Disorders Review, Vol.10, No.1–2, 2002)
" a wonderfully comprehensive reference book." (Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy, Vol.31, 2003)
