The Heart of Addiction

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.