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Addicted?
This book is about addictions of all kinds. Addictions to smartphones, sex, games, social media, gambling, money, but most of all to alcohol and drugs.The words 'addict' and 'addiction' are loaded with baggage. Not just in Australia, but the world over, addicts are considered to be sub-human, if not alien. This book aims to reclaim their dignity. It aims to rescue the word 'addiction' from its kidnappers and restore its humanity. It offers personal accounts from inspirational people who have found themselves in the grips of such addictions, and their amazing stories of survival.At the Ted Noffs Foundation, Matt Noffs and Kieran Palmer spend their lives working with young people who have serious and often debilitating drug addictions. This book shares the tools they use every day. It offers insights into why addiction takes place and why it's a natural part of being human. It journeys across the spectrum of addictive behaviors, from social media to drugs like heroin. It questions the assumptions and begins to debunk the myth that all addiction is identical and predictable.Addiction is something that could affect any of us. This is a book that everyone should read.
- GenresNonfiction
304 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2018
6 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 29, 2019
This book would be great for those who are judgmental and unforgiving towards those with drug-problems (or just generally interested in addiction issues). This book provides detailed examples on how one can be addicted to things, mainly drugs and is contextualized using a Motivational Interviewing approach. "Why wouldn't these people turn to drugs? They have been through so much adversity" and "Wow, drugs saved their life!" were comments running through my head when I was reading this book. The examples of real-stories mixed with research, statistics and policy makes this a great brief of addiction issues in the Australian (and a little bit of international) context.
November 16, 2018
I mean it was a very good book but the title and description was deceiving. It’s a book about drug&alcohol (mostly drugs). Full stop. Informative but 3 stars due to the false advertising!
November 28, 2018
Packed full of anecdotes and true stories - and a fair smack of opinion and quasi-lecturing - this book has lots to offer in terms of experience in the world of drugs and alcohol addiction (or dependence). It is a useful support for anyone living with addiction.
But I have criticisms.
The title is misleading. I picked up this book because I was curious about addiction: how people get hooked and why. This was covered fairly adequately over several chapters. However, the focus was heavy on drugs and alcohol so to claim that addiction "affects every one of us" was stretching it a bit. Other addictions (phones, gambling, gaming and so on) were glanced over and not fully addressed in this book. This book was about addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Who was the target audience? I have no idea. There was a dumbed down description of how the brain works (so not for psychologists or medical professionals). There were several mentions of the Ted Noffs Foundation (self-promotion, and why not, it is a valuable service for those seeking help). It seems this book suffered from not knowing who it was actually speaking to. I was both absorbed and bored, depending on which part of the book I was reading.
There are numerous transcripts from interviews/conversations. These are typed out word for word, making it an arduous read. I also wonder about including large passages from other publications. A bit lazy, maybe?
On the upside, I believe that this book will be very helpful to people living with an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Some simple techniques and ideas are provided to help overcome and move on.
In fairness, I do feel re-educated on the topic. The authors did a good job explaining how trauma and circumstance lead some people to the slippery slope. And the spectrum of addiction (or dependence) was well described and clearer to me now.
2.5 stars.
But I have criticisms.
The title is misleading. I picked up this book because I was curious about addiction: how people get hooked and why. This was covered fairly adequately over several chapters. However, the focus was heavy on drugs and alcohol so to claim that addiction "affects every one of us" was stretching it a bit. Other addictions (phones, gambling, gaming and so on) were glanced over and not fully addressed in this book. This book was about addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Who was the target audience? I have no idea. There was a dumbed down description of how the brain works (so not for psychologists or medical professionals). There were several mentions of the Ted Noffs Foundation (self-promotion, and why not, it is a valuable service for those seeking help). It seems this book suffered from not knowing who it was actually speaking to. I was both absorbed and bored, depending on which part of the book I was reading.
There are numerous transcripts from interviews/conversations. These are typed out word for word, making it an arduous read. I also wonder about including large passages from other publications. A bit lazy, maybe?
On the upside, I believe that this book will be very helpful to people living with an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Some simple techniques and ideas are provided to help overcome and move on.
In fairness, I do feel re-educated on the topic. The authors did a good job explaining how trauma and circumstance lead some people to the slippery slope. And the spectrum of addiction (or dependence) was well described and clearer to me now.
2.5 stars.
January 26, 2021
DNF at Page 80 something.
Says that the addictive personality is a myth, but then describes how one person can handle a beer on a Tuesday and how another can't. Might not be clinically correct but I think this most of us call this an addictive personality.
Spent 3 pages talking about how the black and white colour scheme on your phone can help with dependence on screen time but doesn't really explain how and why people get hooked on their phone.
The book advertises itself as 'addiction can be anyone to anything, here's why' but just felt a bit condescending to be honest.
Maybe I'll finish it out of principal but probs not sorry...
Says that the addictive personality is a myth, but then describes how one person can handle a beer on a Tuesday and how another can't. Might not be clinically correct but I think this most of us call this an addictive personality.
Spent 3 pages talking about how the black and white colour scheme on your phone can help with dependence on screen time but doesn't really explain how and why people get hooked on their phone.
The book advertises itself as 'addiction can be anyone to anything, here's why' but just felt a bit condescending to be honest.
Maybe I'll finish it out of principal but probs not sorry...
November 4, 2023
I picked up the book from the library thinking it might have been something about coffee addiction. No, the main theme was alcohol and drugs. No mention on the wider spectrum of addictions.
It’s filled with a lot of stories of folks who have been through addictions to alcohol and drugs but one wonders what were the authors trying to communicate?
If you have to jump through to a single chapter, jump to chapter 16 where the authors have listed tips for family and friends to help those going through addictions.
Overall an easy read, skim through the stories if they don’t interest you.
It’s filled with a lot of stories of folks who have been through addictions to alcohol and drugs but one wonders what were the authors trying to communicate?
If you have to jump through to a single chapter, jump to chapter 16 where the authors have listed tips for family and friends to help those going through addictions.
Overall an easy read, skim through the stories if they don’t interest you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2019
Not just the soft science work I was expecting, this also veers between polemic, personal stories and coping strategies. The overall aim is more about normalizing and humanizing the drug addict; it succeeds.
January 9, 2020
The book covers a broad range of addictions and has a very non-judgemental tone. It was a lot more self-help style than I'd thought - I was expecting something more scientific.
Narrator was great.
Narrator was great.
December 14, 2018
This is a fascinating read, the authors move between psychology and anecdotes with enough speed to keep you ensconced to learn more about addiction
November 13, 2019
It's pretty good, interesting insights and understanding of addiction but it is heavily skewed to drugs and alcohol. Some pretty good anecdotal chapters.
November 14, 2020
Important subjects but poorly written and assembled.
December 6, 2022
Excellent read, takes a broad look at addiction and associated issues.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews