The Psychology Of Addiction

By (author) Svanberg Jenny
Description

When does a harmless habit become an addition? Why do only some of us get addicted? What can make recovery possible?

The Psychology of Addiction is a fascinating introduction to the psychological issues surrounding addiction and the impact they have on social policy, recovery and an addict’s everyday life. The book focuses on drug and alcohol addiction and tackles topics such as whether drug use always leads to addiction and the importance of social networks to recovery. It also looks at how people can become addicted to activities like gambling, gaming and sex.

In a society that still stigmatises addiction The Psychology of Addiction emphasises the importance of compassion, and provides a sensitive insight to anyone with experience of addiction.

Table of contents

Introduction

Chapter 1. Addiction: from prejudice to compassion

Chapter 2. Is addiction a choice?

Chapter 3. If it’s the drugs that are addictive, why doesn’t everyone get addicted?

Chapter 4. You can teach an old dog new tricks: addiction and recovery

Chapter 5. Safety in numbers: nourishing the hungry ghosts

Chapter 6. Make love not war: if drug policy understood the science of compassion

Review quote

"Addiction is arguably the most perplexing and maligned psychiatric disorder. In this broad-reaching book, Svanberg provides a compassionate and yet comprehensive synthesis of competing views of drug use and addiction. This is a compelling and accessible account of how someone becomes addicted and what to do about it. Svanberg is an engaging storyteller who combines narrative with science to help break some of the moral, political and philosophical barriers that prevent society from effectively and compassionately addressing the challenges that addiction pose. This book is essential reading for anyone wanting to make sense of addiction and those that struggle with it." --Adrian Carter, Associate Professor and NHMRC Career Development Fellow, Monash University, Australia

Biographical note
Jenny Svanberg　is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist. She worked in NHS specialist addiction services in both Central and Western Scotland for nine years, and her writing is informed by her clinical experience