Addictions are pathologies that not only damage the physical and mental health of those who suffer from them; Furthermore, they come to absorb all aspects of the person’s life, decisively influencing their life plans, their relationships, their way of understanding reality, etc. That is why reading and learning about this type of disorder is essential to prevent them and counteract their effects before they completely take control of the philosophy of the individual who has developed the disease.
Currently we can find a wide variety of books specialized in addictions that can help us gain experience about this type of disorders, either to overcome them or to acquire greater knowledge on the subject and support loved ones who suffer from them. If you are interested in the topic, keep reading, since here is a selection of the best books on addictions that are available today, and an explanation of their content.
It is one of the biggest public health problems that currently exist and increasingly affects adolescents and young people who see their lives collapse in a short time due to the consumption of various drugs or dependency on actions. addictive, such as gambling.
In this sense, this is a summary of the main most valued addiction books, both in the format of essays, popular science books or even novels.
1. Homo Addictus: the 4 types of addictive personalities, their origin and the way to solve it (Marisa Thick)
The psychologist Marisa Grueso has written Homo Addictus a manual with which we can discover the origin of addictions, the types of addictive personalities and the way to overcome them.
If you are going through any type of addiction or know someone who may have this problem, in Homo Addictus You will find all the keys to know in depth the types of addictions that exist.
With this book you will learn that addictions are not your fault, that it is possible to find a way to eliminate them from the root and that there are different personality types that help develop addictions more than others.
2. Wanting is not power: How to understand and overcome addictions (Arnold M. Washton, Donna Boundy and Gloria Vitale)
Addiction therapists Arnold M. Washton, Donna Boundy and Gloria Vitale have published the book Wanting is not power for anyone who wants to understand in depth the nature of addictions.
In this book we will learn what the causes of addictions are, what addictive personalities are, how addictions of all types are overcome, and what role society and family play in helping people with addictive problems.
In addition to that, the authors offer real case examples to describe how one can overcome an addiction by having the right attitude and determination.
3. Mindfulness and addictions: Getting out of the vicious cycle of addiction and compulsive behaviors (Valerie Mason-John)
Mindfulness and addictions by Valerie Mason-John is a recently published book that presents us with the phenomenon of addictions in general and compulsive behaviors in particular.
To overcome these addictions, the author proposes Mindfulness as an effective technique that helps us find balance between mind and body, become aware of our own body and control both breathing and vital signs.
4. A rebels’ Diary (Jim Carroll)
A rebels’ Diarywork of artist and writer Jim Carroll narrates in first person his own experience with heroin, a drug that the author consumed during his adolescence and to which he became addicted.
The work describes the anguish and discomfort of drug addicts in a sordid and suffocating environment of New York in the 60s, where the protagonist came to commit crimes and prostitute himself to get drugs.
5. I, addict: A personal story of dependence and reconciliation (Javier Giner)
The film director Javier Giner offers us I, addict a first-person story where he will take us into his experience of addiction to alcohol and cocaine.
It is a very media-heavy work published in 2021 that tells an essential testimony to understand how addictions begin and offers us hope to get out of them, all with episodes mixed with terror, humor, honesty and courage.
6. Requiem for a Dream (Hubert Selby Jr.)
Requiem for a Dreamby Hubert Selby Jr is the story of two young New York friends who see their dreams for the future ruined by being hooked on heroin. At the same time, we will also discover the story of the mother of one of them, who is addicted to psychotropic drugs.
This is one of the best novels by this American author, who is able to perfectly capture the feeling of anguish, terror and discomfort that addicts feel. Its film adaptation from 2000 is equally recommended.
7. Gambling addiction, a game that is not a game (Melina Gancedo)
The psychologist Melina Gancedo has published Gambling addiction, a game that is not a game for anyone who wants to learn about one of the most harmful and problematic addictions that exist today, as well as to receive theoretical and practical knowledge about this disorder.
This work provides a theoretical review of problem gambling as a behavioral addiction that is increasingly shared among young people and provides useful tools to overcome it.
8. Breaking addiction: 7 steps to end any addiction (Lance M. Dodes)
The prestigious American psychiatrist Lance Dodes has written Break the addiction an indispensable work among self-help titles on overcoming addictions.
In this practical guide you will find 7 very useful tips to end any addiction that you, a family member or friend may have. Dodes’ book also focuses on the study of emotions and how they influence the development of addictions.
