Addiction is a physical or psychological need to do, take or use a particular thing, to the point where it could become harmful to you and or others. Addiction is most commonly associated with gambling, drugs – both illicit and prescription – alcohol and nicotine, but it’s possible to be addicted to other things such as work, shopping, smart phone , computers and solvents that trigger a “high”. There are several books on addiction and recovery, most of which were written by renowned authors, addiction specialists and addicts who have overcome addiction. The top 10 books about addiction are presented below:
1. The Life and Loves of a She-Devil By Fay Weldon
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Labelled “She-Devil” by her philandering husband and determined to live up to the title, Ruth avoids hers by undertaking a series of meaningless sexual encounters once he leaves her for Mary. But ultimately, her addiction is not to sex: she is doing it only to anaesthetise herself to intimacy.
2. The Night Before I Killed Addiction By Oche Otorkpa
How the life of a promising young man took an unexpected turn around. A story of drug and sex addiction , its impact, and the 3 powerful steps on how to kill addiction and completely break free from its shackles. This book does not focus only on how to end drug addiction, but enters the realms of other addictions such as sex, food, and other new forms of addictions as well.
3. The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction is Not a Disease By Marc
This book takes a controversial stand against the belief that addiction is a brain disease, but argues its contention thoroughly and convincingly through the stories of five addicts. Lewis sees addiction as a twist of fate for a brain doing what it’s designed to do – seek pleasure in a harsh world, but also offers hope for recovery for all those afflicted.
4. The Craving Brain: Science, Spirituality, and the Road to Recovery by W. Anderson Spickard Jr,, James Butler, & Barbara Thompson
This book pairs two authors with different backgrounds to investigate addiction and recovery: Anderson Spickard, a doctor with over forty years experience in addiction medicine, and James Butler, a recovering addict. These two men’s anecdotal experiences, interspersed with facts drawn from scientific research, alternate throughout the book, giving readers a good overall picture of the experience and of treatment, from both an addict’s and a physician’s points of view.
5.Powerless No Longer: Reprogramming Your Addictive Behavior by Peter W. Soderman
Peter says we are not powerless over our addictions, nor are we helpless victims of heredity, a disease, a spiritual malady, or a slew of character defects that require the intervention of a “higher power,” and a lifetime of meetings to control. Studies show that 75% of all addicts recover on their own, without pills, patches, rehabs, or self-help groups. How many people do you know who successfully quit smoking “cold turkey,” without artificial aids or programs, and nicotine is one of the most addictive substances on earth.
