Understanding and Helping an Addict

by Andrew Proulx

To solve a problem one must first understand the problem. Unfortunately, that's hard to do with addiction because it makes no sense. Why do people keep on with their substance use when it's ruining their life and making them miserable?In this important book, medical doctor and addiction survivor Dr. Andrew Proulx - a leading expert on addiction psychology - explains the effects of addictive substances on the brain and mind, and why addicts and alcoholics behave the way they do. Dr. Andrew then goes on to explain exactly how form a bond with an addicted loved one and to use this bond to help the addict to move to a willingness and mental readiness to accept the help they need. He then explains your role in your loved ones treatment and subsequent recovery and relapse prevention. Ironically, most people who try to help an addict become too involved in the problem, which may do more harm than good. They get drawn into the addict's circle of chaos, and end up participating in the addiction by being enablers. This creates chaos and insanity in their own life, and does nothing to stop the addiction. Andrew provides guidance for loved ones of addicts to remove themselves from the addict's circle of chaos and to take a different approach to helping the addict that's more effective, and also allows them to take back their own life and sanity. Perhaps most importantly, Andrew explains how to keep your own sanity when faced with the life-shattering frustration of dealing with a loved one who is self-destructing and doesn't want to be helped. Andrew practiced as a physician in the ER, hospital, and office settings for 15 years. He also practiced psychotherapy alongside his medical practice. Since surviving addiction and finding recovery, he has focused his professional life on addictions research, writing, and counseling. He is currently engaged in obtaining his PhD in Addiction Psychology.

Genres: Addiction

379 pages, Paperback

Published January 23, 2021

Reviews

[terri rowley · Rating 5 out of 5]

helpful to family members of addicts

Dr. Proulx shares addiction from both perspectives of an addict as well as those who have an addict in their life. There is nothing better than the perspective of someone who has walked that road. His honesty about his own experience and his willingness to say hard things brings true depth to his book. I learned the truth about the addict brain and am taking away so many helpful nuggets of how to stay sane while navigating life as a mother of an addict. I finished his book with a newfound freedom, determination and hope for myself and with an understanding of the best way to live life and lovingly detach from the circle of chaos of my addict child. HIGHLY recommend!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice match of technical explanations of addiction along with some rare helpful strategies for those living with/dealing with an addict.

[Demi Giz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book!!! It gave me so much insight into my loved one’s addiction and calmed my anxieties that were making me crazy. I would definitely read more books by this author. I loved how he zoomed out with his readers on what was really happening with addiction, he reshaped our thoughts and reactions on it, and restored our hope for our loved ones. He even pulled examples from his own personal addiction which was very inspiring!!! I love how books pull you into the mind of addiction experts without actually having to sacrifice a lifetime to understand addiction. My only negatives was he did repeat himself a lot and he also ended the book poorly with the last paragraph. His editing team should have caught that and revised it prior to publishing.

[Jennifer Dobinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very informative to help me understand what was going on in my alcoholic husband's mind and body as he struggled with addiction. It helped me to realize what a crippling grip addiction has on a person. It gave me more compassion towards the addict and helped me to deal with my own emotions.

[george crossland]

Great read

A great explanation not only of addiction but also a close look at how addiction effects everyone involved with the addiction. The explanation of how the disease of addiction is biopsychosocial in nature.

[Michelle Gravert-Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts of the book made for an interesting read. Other parts seem to drag on and be repetitive. This would be a good one to just read the chapters that interest you.