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Hooked: Why we are addicted and how to break free
Written for millennials and Gen Z, this approachable guide reframes addiction and provides tools from psychotherapy to help the reader break harmful behaviour cycles.
You don’t need to be an “addict” to engage in destructive addictive behaviours.
Do you use social media to distract yourself from difficult emotions, or find yourself seeking a boost through shopping, relationships or drinking? Do you feel that you have habits that are holding you back, but you can’t seem to break them?
You are not alone. This book is for anyone who struggles with addictive behaviour. In it, psychotherapist Tally Fosh sheds light on the true meaning of addiction and the subtle ways it can manifest itself without our awareness. She explores why we often seek external factors to change the way we feel internally, and provides practical tips and tools to help readers break any self-destructive cycle they may find themselves in using easy steps.
Hooked breaks down the journey of addiction into four key discovery, types of addiction, lows and denial, and recovery. It includes practical tools, from expressive therapy to talking therapy, and case studies from real people. With applications of Tally's principles to scenarios applicable to our modern lives and an inspirational foreword from model and mental health advocate Adwoa Aboah, this book is the perfect companion for your journey toward freedom from addictive habits.
You don’t need to be an “addict” to engage in destructive addictive behaviours.
Do you use social media to distract yourself from difficult emotions, or find yourself seeking a boost through shopping, relationships or drinking? Do you feel that you have habits that are holding you back, but you can’t seem to break them?
You are not alone. This book is for anyone who struggles with addictive behaviour. In it, psychotherapist Tally Fosh sheds light on the true meaning of addiction and the subtle ways it can manifest itself without our awareness. She explores why we often seek external factors to change the way we feel internally, and provides practical tips and tools to help readers break any self-destructive cycle they may find themselves in using easy steps.
Hooked breaks down the journey of addiction into four key discovery, types of addiction, lows and denial, and recovery. It includes practical tools, from expressive therapy to talking therapy, and case studies from real people. With applications of Tally's principles to scenarios applicable to our modern lives and an inspirational foreword from model and mental health advocate Adwoa Aboah, this book is the perfect companion for your journey toward freedom from addictive habits.
- GenresSelf HelpNonfiction
208 pages, Paperback
Published May 14, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 17, 2024
"Like the rings within the trunk of a tree, what we have been through in our lives stays within us. It is inescapable. Some of these rings will remember happy, nourishing times, others will be scars of past traumas or the negative self-beliefs we harbor within us. It is understandable that we want to distract ourselves from doubts, bad memories or the everyday stresses we encounter."
May 10, 2025
big up max fosh sister
July 17, 2026
Hooked was a non-judgmental book that delved into the different underlying reasons for addictions, but it didn't have me "hooked". It gave me plenty of thoughts to mull over, and in a way helped me to accept my own (nowadays too normalised) addictions.
I wish I had taken real notes while reading this book because I feel like as soon as the next chapter started, I had forgotten about all the wonderful thoughts and research from the previous ones. That's also why I especially appreciated the concluding chapter. I also wish I had taken the time to do any of the journaling prompts on paper, but I suppose I was in denial about their usefulness.
I guess the book just didn't meet my expectations. I wanted it to have a narrower focus and offer even more concrete steps for dealing with phone addiction, for example. I also didn't like how the author assumed everyone would have a friend or support system to rely on. If I didn't feel so misunderstood, I don't think I would isolate myself so much.
In any case, I really appreciated the book and how easy it was to read. I could see how much work the author had put into her research. Her own personal experience with addictions added credibility to her words and really drove home the point of how detrimental they are. My heart broke when reading her mom's letter.
I wish I had taken real notes while reading this book because I feel like as soon as the next chapter started, I had forgotten about all the wonderful thoughts and research from the previous ones. That's also why I especially appreciated the concluding chapter. I also wish I had taken the time to do any of the journaling prompts on paper, but I suppose I was in denial about their usefulness.
"Needing extra support isn't a failure." (163)
"If you are struggling to get through to a family member by asking for help, try to remind yourself it's not your fault. They might not be capable of giving you their help. But that doesn't mean you don't deserve help and support." (165)
I guess the book just didn't meet my expectations. I wanted it to have a narrower focus and offer even more concrete steps for dealing with phone addiction, for example. I also didn't like how the author assumed everyone would have a friend or support system to rely on. If I didn't feel so misunderstood, I don't think I would isolate myself so much.
In any case, I really appreciated the book and how easy it was to read. I could see how much work the author had put into her research. Her own personal experience with addictions added credibility to her words and really drove home the point of how detrimental they are. My heart broke when reading her mom's letter.
May 14, 2024
3.75 stars
🌕🌕🌕🌖
🎯 Target Audience
- People who are struggling with addiction or suspect to have addiction
- If you are curious about the types of addiction, this book is for you as well
- If you have an addiction and need a simple and systematic book to help deal with it
🧠 My thoughts
The book had a very systematic approach to help deal with addictions. I took a lot of notes because the book offered a lot of interesting knowledge about addiction, how to deal with it, and also psychological factors. I felt empathy in the tone of the author while reading, which would be really helpful if the reader was the exact target of the book. The letter from her mom at the end was really wholesome to read.
However, it dragged so much for me in some parts not because it was beating the around the bushes but because it was very dry to read.
👍 What I like
- Informative and rich in knowledge
- Empathetic tone
👎 What I don't like
- Some parts are very dry
Thanks NetGalley, Watkins Publishing publisher, and the authors for a great advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!
🌕🌕🌕🌖
🎯 Target Audience
- People who are struggling with addiction or suspect to have addiction
- If you are curious about the types of addiction, this book is for you as well
- If you have an addiction and need a simple and systematic book to help deal with it
🧠 My thoughts
The book had a very systematic approach to help deal with addictions. I took a lot of notes because the book offered a lot of interesting knowledge about addiction, how to deal with it, and also psychological factors. I felt empathy in the tone of the author while reading, which would be really helpful if the reader was the exact target of the book. The letter from her mom at the end was really wholesome to read.
However, it dragged so much for me in some parts not because it was beating the around the bushes but because it was very dry to read.
👍 What I like
- Informative and rich in knowledge
- Empathetic tone
👎 What I don't like
- Some parts are very dry
Thanks NetGalley, Watkins Publishing publisher, and the authors for a great advance copy of the book in exchange for my honest review!
June 10, 2024
I liked that this book isn't solely for the stereotypical addict. Instead, it is an honest and non-judmental look at addictive behaviours; be that dringing/drugs, gambling, shopping, gaming, or scrolling.
Like most people, I expect, I have negative habits and behaviours that I have tried time and time again to fix. With some, I've succeeded for a while, then replaced. Others I can't budge for longer than a few days. Understanding why and thinking about the triggers and cycles was interesting, and Hooked contained a few good nuggets of information I am sure I will take with me on my continual journey for self-improvement.
Like most people, I expect, I have negative habits and behaviours that I have tried time and time again to fix. With some, I've succeeded for a while, then replaced. Others I can't budge for longer than a few days. Understanding why and thinking about the triggers and cycles was interesting, and Hooked contained a few good nuggets of information I am sure I will take with me on my continual journey for self-improvement.
May 7, 2024
Hooked is the kind of book that makes you think. It eases you in with its gentle and friendly writing style but then at the end of the chapter it makes you reflect on your own life and your own practices.
It mixes research, the authors experiences as an addict but also as a therapist to make the topic relatable and interesting!
I think this book will change my life for the better and I recommend anyone else to read it. You won’t regret it!
It mixes research, the authors experiences as an addict but also as a therapist to make the topic relatable and interesting!
I think this book will change my life for the better and I recommend anyone else to read it. You won’t regret it!
May 16, 2024
I wouldn't have said I was an addict. But after listening to Hooked, I realised that I had been indulging in quite a few addictive behaviours. I have started to make active change and now have more energy and am doing more things that I always aspired to do.
Talitha was an addict, or maybe I should say, is an addict in recovery but also an addiction therapist. So I found listening to both experiences on each side of the coin useful.
Would definitely recommend!
Talitha was an addict, or maybe I should say, is an addict in recovery but also an addiction therapist. So I found listening to both experiences on each side of the coin useful.
Would definitely recommend!
July 3, 2025
Very approachable, reflective and warm book for folks looking to explore their relationships with substances or behaviours. I really enjoyed the prompts to write on or think about with curiosity.
February 17, 2025
An honest account of a person with lived experience with addiction. I was looking for more detail regarding Alcohol and drug Addiction, but the book does dip into other addictions also.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews