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Addictive Thinking and the Addictive Personality
This is two volumes in one. The first volume, "Addictive Thinking" By Abraham Twerski covers more than a dozen thinking issues related to addiction. The second volume, "The Addictive Personality" by Craig Nakken describes the personality traits associated with addicted individuals.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1990
214 people are currently reading
1431 people want to read
About the author
Abraham J. Twerski
148 books118 followersAbraham Joshua Twerski (Hebrew: אֲבְרָהָם יְהוֹשֻׁע טווערסקי) was an Israeli-American Hasidic rabbi, a scion of the Chernobyl Hasidic dynasty, and a psychiatrist specializing in substance abuse.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 21, 2023
This book has completely changed the way I see addicts. This quote hit me the most:
“Let’s realize what we are asking of the addicted person. First, we are asking this person to completely and permanently abstain from use of the substance that has made life livable, maybe the only thing that has made it tolerable. This is a very big thing to ask of someone.”
For many addicts, the substance they use is not for merely getting high or having fun. It is the only thing that makes them feel “normal”, their only relief from their pain and distress. Sometimes, the only way to abstain from killing themselves.
This book focuses on how people with addictions think—how they defend and rationalize their behaviours without consciously wanting to. The delusions and false perceptions they carry, the way the addiction changes them (and their brains) as it progresses. Extremely insightful.
However, the book primarily focuses on alcohol addiction. Although it has similarities to other addictions (like drugs, food, and even social media), I wish the author explained the nuances of different substances more.
Anyway, if you are (or were) in any way, shape, or form involved with an alcoholic or alcoholism, this book may change everything.
P.S.
The best thing that can happen to an addict is reaching rock bottom and realizing they cannot live like this anymore. No external help can even make them change. Ever. No amount of scaring, begging, or forcing can do it. And no, you are not the exception, even if you would love to believe so—you won’t cure an addict; their thinking patterns are not like yours.
Please know this even if you don’t read the book. Stay safe.
“Let’s realize what we are asking of the addicted person. First, we are asking this person to completely and permanently abstain from use of the substance that has made life livable, maybe the only thing that has made it tolerable. This is a very big thing to ask of someone.”
For many addicts, the substance they use is not for merely getting high or having fun. It is the only thing that makes them feel “normal”, their only relief from their pain and distress. Sometimes, the only way to abstain from killing themselves.
This book focuses on how people with addictions think—how they defend and rationalize their behaviours without consciously wanting to. The delusions and false perceptions they carry, the way the addiction changes them (and their brains) as it progresses. Extremely insightful.
However, the book primarily focuses on alcohol addiction. Although it has similarities to other addictions (like drugs, food, and even social media), I wish the author explained the nuances of different substances more.
Anyway, if you are (or were) in any way, shape, or form involved with an alcoholic or alcoholism, this book may change everything.
P.S.
The best thing that can happen to an addict is reaching rock bottom and realizing they cannot live like this anymore. No external help can even make them change. Ever. No amount of scaring, begging, or forcing can do it. And no, you are not the exception, even if you would love to believe so—you won’t cure an addict; their thinking patterns are not like yours.
Please know this even if you don’t read the book. Stay safe.
May 4, 2012
Speaking as an ignorant layman and a generalist reader (and probably a pretty low-grade addictive in the serious scheme of things), I thought this was really good.
My two initial misgivings about this book (namely (a) that the approach to this huge subject was simplistic or oversimplified, and (b) that the author's perspective was too "etic" to be convincing to me) were both soon proven misplaced and unjustified.
It turned out that the approach was not at all simplistic--it turned out to be a very careful and exhaustive summary of just about every aspect of this huge subject that I can imagine.
As far as the emic/etic thing goes (once again, as a non-professional who's really not too well read in this field--as fascinating as it is to me--I hadn't really given this all that much thought before), but the more I read this, the more I realized that there's a lot to be said for the value a therapist who *can't* empathize in an internal way with an addict's rationalizations, etc. This author has seen it all, it seems like, and the real value of his observations is that he can say to any addict from any walk of life, etc., that he's heard that rationalization before or that he's seen a particular behavior or response before and it always results in [whatever .. whether good or bad]. So the author's dispassion and detachment actually turned out seeming like a good thing, if not perhaps even a necessary thing.
This second point is something I'm going to have to talk about some time with a goodreads friend of mine who actually is a longtime professional in this field. It seems like the in the popular media, the counselors who have the most credibility are successfully recovering addicts themselves ... but I'm thinking now, after reading this book, of all kinds of reasons why that shouldn't be true at all.
My two initial misgivings about this book (namely (a) that the approach to this huge subject was simplistic or oversimplified, and (b) that the author's perspective was too "etic" to be convincing to me) were both soon proven misplaced and unjustified.
It turned out that the approach was not at all simplistic--it turned out to be a very careful and exhaustive summary of just about every aspect of this huge subject that I can imagine.
As far as the emic/etic thing goes (once again, as a non-professional who's really not too well read in this field--as fascinating as it is to me--I hadn't really given this all that much thought before), but the more I read this, the more I realized that there's a lot to be said for the value a therapist who *can't* empathize in an internal way with an addict's rationalizations, etc. This author has seen it all, it seems like, and the real value of his observations is that he can say to any addict from any walk of life, etc., that he's heard that rationalization before or that he's seen a particular behavior or response before and it always results in [whatever .. whether good or bad]. So the author's dispassion and detachment actually turned out seeming like a good thing, if not perhaps even a necessary thing.
This second point is something I'm going to have to talk about some time with a goodreads friend of mine who actually is a longtime professional in this field. It seems like the in the popular media, the counselors who have the most credibility are successfully recovering addicts themselves ... but I'm thinking now, after reading this book, of all kinds of reasons why that shouldn't be true at all.
January 5, 2016
This book presents a model of how people with chemical addictions think differently, with some instruction for how to recognize and deal with it. It's pretty clear and plausible, and the writing is personable and easy to get through. It's a solid effort and worth the read, although I didn't fully agree with the author's demonstration of illogical thinking at the very beginning and I wish he had covered non-chemical addictions as well (e.g. gambling). The author treats chemical dependencies, so it's reasonable to stick only to those, but in that case I would prefer the book title change to something like "Addictive Thinking: Understanding Chemical Addictions..."
January 3, 2015
From reading this book and having been told that I'm on a path to alcoholism, I realize not only why I've become accustomed to using addictive thinking as rational for just about everything and ultimately trying to victimize myself, but that it shouldn't stop there. Just because one didn't receive the nurturing needed for adequate self-esteem as a child and has turned to substances to make themselves feel normal, doesn't mean that change isn't possible. This book is inspiring for alcoholics/drug users, loved ones of alcoholics/drug users (of which I also am) and those that participate in addictive behavior without the influence of drugs or alcohol.
April 28, 2018
This book was very insightful and helped me to understand why my mother sees nothing wrong with her drinking problem. It didn't help me forgive her, but at least now I understand more about how her brain is wired while she has an addiction. I think this book would be a good read for anyone who has encountered an addict in life for more than just passing by, or anyone who has struggled with co-dependancy.
October 13, 2014
To me the book(let) reads like a good list of subjects that are part of the structure of addictive thinking. And that's it. If you are looking for a quick, I am guessing, complete read, take this book. If you are looking for causes of addictive thinking, or cases and examples that illustrate the addictive thinking structure, find another book. (And please tell me what its called...)
September 16, 2010
Amazingly clear, insightful and empathetic look at addiction. Written for for families of addicts or those in the midst of addiction.
Twerski does not claim to have all the answers but provides insight and understanding as well as suggestions and strategies.
Short and easy read.
Twerski does not claim to have all the answers but provides insight and understanding as well as suggestions and strategies.
Short and easy read.
December 27, 2016
If you work in addiction recovery
If you work in addiction recovery this is a must read book. Rabbi Twerski writes in a simple yet profound way. When you open your mind to his ideas everything in addiction recovery field gets easier
If you work in addiction recovery this is a must read book. Rabbi Twerski writes in a simple yet profound way. When you open your mind to his ideas everything in addiction recovery field gets easier
February 20, 2014
Accessible and very informative.
March 1, 2014
Insightful for anyone who wants to understand reasons behind the behavior of addicts. I likened the book to an educated approach to Al-Anon, AA and other programs for addicts and loved ones.
April 11, 2015
Very insightful yet very painful read! I feel better equipped to understand but less hopeful that there is anything I can do... Except wait and remain hopeful!
April 28, 2025
I was told about this book as a way of getting into the mindset of an addict, whether that be for alcohol or drugs or any number of other things. It came highly recommended and I was assured it would help me to understand how addicts think and how to deal with them, and it did a really thorough job of doing just that. There were so many things that I recognized throughout each chapter that rang true for telltale signs I've noted in my own life growing up around addicts of different kinds, as well as my own reactions to those stimuli. This is a fantastic book for those who really want to try to get a better grasp on what goes through the mind of an addict and how to best interact with them if you want any hope of results.
April 21, 2024
Dry. Did not give me any insights. I skipped through it.
April 7, 2022
Se resumen las experiencias de un especialista clínico en atender personas con adicciones, con detalle describe en 23 capítulos el pensamiento adictivo, sus orígenes, manifestaciones y contradicciones, así como sugerencias para contrarrestar su efecto en la vida de quien padece una adicción.
December 12, 2023
3.5. Some potentially insightful ideas.
February 1, 2024
Some of us are very lucky that we are destroying ourselves with cycling, hiking, reading books.
April 3, 2022
This was an insightful book on the dual personality or alter-self of the addict. It discusses how an addiction challenges our rational thinking and makes us create and defend illogical justifications of reckless behaviour.
February 10, 2021
This is or should be the required textbook on addiction. It is especially helpful for recovering addicts and their families. It talks about the ways the addict's mind works, and if you are close to a recovering addict (alcohol or drugs), you will be nodding your head in recognition to many of the self-deceptions and rationalisations. It is a short book and an easy read.
January 1, 2017
I thought the book gave a lot of basic information describing the mind of an addict. I'm not versed enough in addiction therapy to know how professionals would rate the book, but I think for the average reader, if you want to begin somewhere reading about addiction and the mind of the addict, this is a good start. If you are living with an addict and find yourself always standing on the shifting sands of his/her thinking, time to get your bearings. Read the book.
March 11, 2015
If you are an addictive thinker or know someone who is I highly recommend this book, "Addictive Thinking, Understanding Self-Deception." The author Abraham J. Twerski explains the meaning of the title in a non-clinically clinical way that helped me look at myself a little closer and other addicted souls in a less judgmental way. Don't we all need help?
February 1, 2011
Some great insight into the workings of the addict brain. Some good, specific places to focus such as the addicts interpretation of time, the use of multiple reasons for a single belief pointed towards rationalizing and so on. Good stuff to use as a check point for the addicts mental health.
April 12, 2012
Though I did not necessarily agree with every point, I feel like this book was a good introduction to substance abuse literature for me... Pretty easy to get through and did help me understand things from a new perspective.
December 13, 2012
It is a Hazeldan book. I was expecting a textbook meant for actual counselors. This was more of a self help book. I already knew this information so it was more of a review, but it would be a good read for someone that knows nothing about addiction and is trying to learn.
December 30, 2014
I only bought this book bcuz it was at my school's library book sale and bcuz I'm trying to read more informative books. While I didn't like the book (I found it repetitive and didn't know it was a self-help book) I learned one experiment! Which is really cool.
Currently reading
March 14, 2016This was a good read, and I actually read it twice and in two ways. First I read it detached with a mental health professional perspective, then I read to compare it to my former thinking, in order to glean validity of the author's work. I was pleased to find that it was spot on.
February 6, 2016
Though it was about critical thinking and failures of reasoning. The books is about the crooked thinking of people experiencing either drug or alcohol addition. However it is a great read since its lessons truly apply to so called "normal" people
June 22, 2007
Great, short book that illuminates some of what the addicts curse is, and how (sadly) managable it seems it might be if dealth with, and how terrifying to live with if not.
April 12, 2009
This book added to my understanding of what a co-dependent person is, and how the thinking of an addict pulls everyone else in.
August 1, 2009
Really good explanation of addictive mind.
August 24, 2009
A very interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews