Addictive Thinking: Understanding Self-Deception

by Abraham J. Twerski

Author Abraham Twerski reveals how self-deceptive thought can undermine self-esteem and threaten the sobriety of a recovering individuals and offers hope to those seeking a healthy and rewarding recovery.In addiction, a person with a substance use disorder undergoes a negative change in thinking and behavioral patterns. A person’s character is overthrown by addictive displacement, projection, shame, and hypersensitivity are addiction’s survival mechanisms. With Addictive Thinking , both addict s and loved ones familiarize themselves with these addictive signatures and more, and begin the fight for recovery.With more than 200,000 copies of Addictive Thinking sold worldwide, the eminent Abraham Twerski, M.D., outlines the destructive and terrifying illogic that marries a person with a substance use disorder to his addiction. “Stinking thinking” and irrational thought are byproducts of addiction and they only worsen with time. Twerski, with a deep psychological understanding, steps in to explain and contextualize all of the actions that arise from addictive thinking.It might be easier to point at abnormal behavior from an addict and simply think, “there she goes again.” But there is reason and consistency underneath the pandemonium. If nothing is learned, if nothing is done, an addict’s rock bottom will continue to sink. By educating oneself about the addictive illogic and its reasoning, one will understand why the person behaves as she does and how everyone in her life becomes controlled by addiction. Then control can be taken back.

Genres: Psychology, Addiction, Nonfiction, Self Help, Mental Health, Science, Counselling

136 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1990

About the author

Abraham 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.

Reviews

[Gabrielė Bužinskaitė · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

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..."

[Dani Saliani · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Cristy McCormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Feelingmywaybackintolife · Rating 3 out of 5]

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...)

[Drew Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Adrian David · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Trenton Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accessible and very informative.

[Gerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Alisonb · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[DarkHeraldMage · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Caro Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro me lo mando mi psicóloga para entender cómo funciona el pensamiento adictivo el cual no solo aplica como tal a las que conocemos como las adicciónes más comunes (alcohol y drogas) si no a un espectro súper amplio de conductas negativas con nosotros mismos. En mi caso: a la relación con la comida y externar mis sentimientos.
La verdad fue un libro que me hizo hacer muchísima introspección y puedo asegurar que a cualquier persona le ayudaría a comprenderse mejor y a adoptar hábitos más saludables desde el amor propio.

Súper recomendado y más aún, con apoyo de terapia por supuesto ❤️‍🩹

[Marina the Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dry. Did not give me any insights. I skipped through it.

[Omar Bravo · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Anthony Degleris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Some potentially insightful ideas.

[Agnes Lipski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of us are very lucky that we are destroying ourselves with cycling, hiking, reading books.

[Mehmed Gokcel · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Karina Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

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?

[Chris Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Whitney Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[J.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Alanoud (Anna) · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Darrell Eason]

This 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.

[Michael Calderon · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Maranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book added to my understanding of what a co-dependent person is, and how the thinking of an addict pulls everyone else in.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good explanation of addictive mind.