Written by experienced practitioners in the fields of addiction and psychoanalysis, and illustrated by a range of moving vignettes, this groundbreaking book examines the psychological foundations of addiction in the areas of food, sex, gambling, internet usage, shopping, and work. This book not only explores the roots of addictive behavior, explaining why popular treatment options such as the 12-Step Program often fail, it also provides insights for emotional resolution and strategies for behavioral change. Beyond the Primal Addiction seeks to understand rather than pathologize addictive behaviours, now so pervasive in contemporary societies. It will be essential reading for psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, and other mental health professionals, as well as their clients.

The groundbreaking method that upends current treatment models and “offers collective hope to families of substance abusers” (Kirkus Reviews), helping loved ones conquer addiction and compulsion problems through positive reinforcement and kindness—from the leaders in progressive addiction treatment in the US. Beyond Addiction goes beyond the theatrics of interventions and tough love to show family and friends how they can use kindness, positive reinforcement, and motivational and behavioral strategies to help someone change. Drawing on forty collective years of research and decades of clinical experience, the authors present the best practical advice science has to offer. Delivered with warmth, optimism, and humor, Beyond Addiction defines a new, empowered role for friends and family and a paradigm shift for the field. This new approach is not only less daunting for both the substance abuser and his family, but is more effective as well. Learn how to use the transformative power of relationships for positive change, guided by exercises and examples. Practice what really works in therapy and in everyday life, and discover many different treatment options along with tips for navigating the system. And have hope: this guide is a life raft for parents, family, and friends—offering “reminders that although no one can make another person change, there is much that can be done to make change seem appealing and possible” (Publishers Weekly).

Joseph Caravella, MA LADC currently practices as an addiction therapist for the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation at their campus in Center City, Minnesota. As an educator he's known for his high energy, breathtaking lectures (on addiction, forgiveness, and love). In "The Disease of Addiction," he masterfully unravels the complexities of the addicted brain, breaks down the fundamental components of addiction in easy-to-understand terms, and paints a detailed clinical picture with color sourced from his own harrowing experiences with addiction, mental illness, and early recovery. Foreword by the author: I've been formally studying addiction since 2011 while also walking my own path in recovery that began in 2008. Even after years of self-study, thousands of twelve-step meetings, graduate school, and professional experience treating the illness, my experience shows that this disease is not the easiest subject to grasp. But knowledge truly is power. And after studying the best textbooks and reports on the neurobiology of addiction, I believe the information in them is sound and of the utmost importance. That said, I also think the packaging and delivery of the material should be more accessible to addicted people, their family and friends, and anyone curious to learn more about the disease. I've been privileged to lecture on the disease of addiction to large treatment populations for years. Inspired by requests for written material beyond my lectures and by my personal mission to improve addiction education, this short book is a meditation on the evolutionary perspective of chemical use, the origins of the Alcoholics Anonymous program, our present understanding of the neurobiology of addiction, and how the twelve-step solution is well supported by scientific evidence. I also describe the correlation between physiological stress response in early recovery and a spirituality-based approach to recovery in a manner that I haven't seen in the literature. In this book, I'm specifically speaking to the person unsure about addiction as a disease but also pained by the consequences of their chemical use. To me, this person is the newcomer to recovery, and they are the most important person about whom I should be concerned when discussing addiction and recovery. Special thanks to my clients, family, teachers, guides, mentors, colleagues, bosses, and especially my wife for making this possible. I was taught that I can only keep what peace and love I have by freely giving it away. In part, this is my love to you.

Salman Akhtar is a Professor of Psychiatry, a Training and Supervising Analyst, a member of numerous editorial boards, winner of many awards, including the highly prestigious Sigourney Award, a writer of several hundred articles, a poet, and the author or editor of over one hundred books. A modern-day Renaissance man, his elegant writing is simultaneously scholarly and literary and brings a light touch to profound material. Phoenix Publishing House is proud to present his most inspiring works in a stunning ten-volume hardback set, fit to grace the shelves of collectors and libraries with its high-quality finish.

If you are a person who has struggled with an addiction, or a family member who is helplessly watching the slow death of a loved one from an addiction, or even a seasoned professional who is overwhelmed and frustrated over the chronic relapses of clients, here is a simple question to ask yourself if you are wondering whether this book is for you. Does a person have control over a relapse? If you answered yes, then this book is absolutely for you. This book is for you because the answer to this question is an emphatic NO!!! Why is the answer no? Addiction, like any other disease, follows a natural process. Once it starts, this process will continue its natural course that will eventually lead a person to a more deteriorated condition, certain pain and suffering, or, even worse, death. There are no exceptions to this natural process, unless, of course, this process is interrupted. The more important question that needs to be asked is: Does a person have control over their recovery? The answer to this question is an emphatic YES!!! The intent of this book is not so much to focus on the science of addiction, although this will be addressed, as much as it is on the science of recovery. Although the reader will better understand some of the basic neurobiological processes underlying addiction (It is just not genetics alone), the reader will also explore how these same neurobiological processes are essential to recovery. The contention, here, is that if there is a science of addiction, there must be a science of recovery. This book will explore the many facets of healing within the recovery process with particular emphasis on examining the role of our neurobiology and behavior. More importantly, it will give readers, whether a person suffering from an addiction, a distraught loved one, or a frustrated professional, insight and a blueprint as to what needs to be done for a successful recovery regardless of the disorder. Is relapse a part of recovery? Absolutely Not!!!

"It is imperative to understand a problem one has before devising a means of breaking free". This book presents a comprehensive and simple-to-understand concept of addiction, encompassing overall knowledge of addiction types, treatment modes and processes. It guides readers on how to become better individuals by letting go of the past and embracing a new beginning. The book also addresses various questions readers may have regarding addictions and liberation. Furthermore, it explains certain behaviors that might not be considered pathological but actually are. As the author, I personally urge readers to draw insight from my life's worth of experience in this profession and strive to become better versions of themselves. People often underestimate that their addictions can jeopardize not only their present life but also the future in all aspects - physically, psychologically, economically, and romantically. In a final note, I beseech readers, especially parents and guardians, to make use of the chapters written, seeking their indulgence and making adequate use of the presented knowledge. Here's to the best life has to offer!"