Breaking Addiction
A 7-Step Handbook for Ending Any Addiction
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Breaking Addiction
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Narrated by:
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John Meagher
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By:
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Lance M. Dodes
About this listen
Finally, a road map to recovery from the nation's most original thinker on addiction.
In his revolutionary book The Heart of Addiction, Dr. Lance Dodes examined the underlying emotions that drive addictive behaviors - whether drinking, gambling, sex, or eating. Now, in Breaking Addiction, Dodes presents a comprehensive guide outlining seven critical steps to overcome addiction, based on his findings.
hrough his practice and research, Dodes has found that virtually every addictive act is preceded by feelings of helplessness. In his refreshingly clear style, Dodes incorporates case histories to illustrate exactly how these feelings set addiction in motion, how to recognize the path toward addiction and then how to take back control.
Many people, discouraged by current treatments, have been hungry for an approach that digs addiction up by its roots. Since the publication of The Heart of Addiction, Dodes's ideas have been incorporated by therapists and treatment centers around the country, and are taught by universities and training centers for clinicians.
With special sections for both families and health-care professionals, Breaking Addiction is poised to be the handbook for a new, comprehensive, and in-depth understanding of addiction.
©2011 Lance M. Dodes, MD (P)2011 HarperCollins PublishersListeners also enjoyed...
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No PDF with supplemental
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As a psychiatrist in training fresh from medical school, Carl Erik Fisher found himself face-to-face with an addiction crisis that nearly cost him everything. Desperate to make sense of his condition, he turned to the history of addiction, learning that our society’s current quagmire is only part of a centuries-old struggle to treat addictive behavior.
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Do you sometimes feel as if you're just going through the motions in life? Are you good at looking and acting as if you're fine, but secretly feel lonely and disconnected? If so, you are not alone. The world is full of people who have an innate sense that something is wrong with them - who feel they live on the outside looking in, but have no explanation for this feeling and no way to put it into words.
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1 out of 5 stars
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If you need solutions don't buy this book
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What listeners say about Breaking Addiction
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Gerrie
- 07-15-12
Dodes explores the cause as much as the addiction
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Indeed - it is well written. The numeorus case studies and stories told make for interesting content, easy to follow and each story illustrates the point vividly.The book sensitises the listener not to approach addiction simplistically, but to go to the cause of the addictive behaviour if real and sustainable rehab is sought.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Breaking Addiction?
Introducing and defining the generic cause of addictive behaviour as "feelings of helplessness". This is original and accurate.
Which scene was your favorite?
Many good scenes in the numerous case studies
Any additional comments?
Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in understanding addictive behaviour and how to break it.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- J. Blanco
- 10-10-17
great program an easy to listen to book
easy program on how to get to the root of addiction and Easy methods to fix it
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JUAN
- 04-23-12
SEROTONIN
What made the experience of listening to Breaking Addiction the most enjoyable?
EXELENT EXELENT EXELENT EXELENT EXELENT EXELENT, EXELENT EXELENT EXELENT, EXELENT EXELENT EXELENT, EXELENT EXELENT EXELENT, EXELENT EXELENT EXELENT, EXELENT EXELENT EXELENT, EXELENT EXELENT EXELENT
What was one of the most memorable moments of Breaking Addiction?
ALL OF THEM
What about John Meagher’s performance did you like?
YES VERY MUCH
What did you learn from Breaking Addiction that you would use in your daily life?
EVERYTHING
Any additional comments?
EVERYTHING
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
- Amy
- 08-01-15
informative
I like it. I'd recommend it to any one that has an addiction, and to any one the know someone with an addiction.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- ATL88
- 12-20-23
Decent Guidance, But Overly Dated And Basic
The book is based on ultimately helpful guidance, but I couldn’t get over the 1995-esqe style.. the majority of it is the author narrating and explaining fictional characters, in a way that almost feels corny.
It’s 2023, the science has advanced and there are simply better books now.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- SOFOKLIS
- 04-23-12
Good one
Would you listen to Breaking Addiction again? Why?
Yes i would, it gives valuable information .
How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?
I wouldn't include so many life examples
Any additional comments?
It could be better if it had fewer life exams, and was more scientific.
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6 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Robert
- 01-29-16
Professional perspective
I love this book. As a counselor I immediately started assigning it to clients to read and using the 7 steps in my therapy. This is a journey to healing the whole person which is what I aspire to as a counselor out of genuine care for each person.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- M. A. Gueltekin
- 10-17-12
Determined to quit? This is your book!
Where does Breaking Addiction rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
It ranks high, considering the self help and the achievements I've made throughout the quitting process.
Who was your favorite character and why?
This book is nonfiction. Yet, it includes a series of individual stories of addicts (and their partners, loved ones) and their struggle with their addictions to help you understand and take care of your addiction (or of someone you care of).
What about John Meagher’s performance did you like?
Clear tone, it just flows.
What insight do you think you’ll apply from Breaking Addiction?
This is not a book for frivolous quitting attemps. If you're serious about getting rid of your addiction (instead of exchanging it with another one) or want to understand/help/cope with an addict friend, partner, spouse - than go for it.
The book helps you understand the very core, the psyche of addictions (how and exactly when they take control of your actions, behavior and mood) and urges you to focus on your own intellectual strategy of preventing/managing cravings, instead of concentrating solely on the physical addiction itself and/or the moment of using (which both are actually relatively treatable in contrast to the severe psychological dependence).
It's a great guide to manage your relationships with your spouse, children, friends and other loved ones, helps you pose a true, honest and supportive explanation about your problems, so that they will try to understand and help you, instead of worrying about - and worse - diverging from you. It also features a brief academic guide for your medical supervision to implement this method into your own treatment plan.
I have been an addict for many years now and tried almost every possible way to get rid of my addiction, without any lasting success.
Since I know now - thanks to Doctor Lance M. Dodes and his book - what triggers my emotions and self destruction at that very moment of overwhelming helplessness, I was able to cast my own recovery plan just based on my own experience and instincts, which has been the best solution to resolve my addictive behaviors yet.
I've learned in recent years not to be too confident on conclusions regarding my addiction, so I will not say, that I have already fully recovered by now, but it has been the longest I stayed completely clean since I started using (this time without any medical support). I am feeling great about my life and myself today and hope to never look back.
I carry this audio book every where with me on my iPod, chapter 3 keeps me alive and kicking!
Any additional comments?
I would recommend this book to anyone, who urgently is in need of changing something in his or her life for the better for good. This is a new, critical and no-nonsense approach for an addiction-free life for yourself and your environment.
No judging, no cliches, no prejustice and no silly contradictions - just get the core and you'll bring the rest yourself.
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16 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- ewoitalla
- 08-15-22
Anecdotes Are Not Evidence
I was hoping to learn more about scientific research with respect to addiction. Instead, anecdote predominated throughout the book. I get anecdote and testimony in my AA and NA meetings all day long. Even though I love a good story, if I am to accept any information as a valid description of observable phenomenon, I hope to be offered high quality research in support of such opinions. Very little true science is referred to in this book. I’m not saying he is incorrect in his views on addiction and it’s treatment, but I can’t say I have a lot of confidence either-yet. I need good evidence, research done by reputable and respected scientists. He may offer such information in his other books, but I have not read any other books than this one by Lance Dodes. I strongly suspect he may very well be correct and up to date, but until I see good research, my suspicions must remain only that-suspicions. His views do have much in common with what is offered in 12 step meetings, namely that addiction is but a symptom of emotional problems we humans suffer from. Refreshing from his entire treatment plan for addiction is the lack of 12 step dogma and the idea that we absolutely need a “higher power” and a sponsor in order to get and stay clean. I honestly think his treatment ideas in this book require hard science as part of the narrative in order to support them.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Doxie Lover
- 07-25-16
Not as good as I expected
I struggled to finish this book. The steps seem more complicated than they need to be. I've read/listened to several books on recovery and this didn't give me any good pointers.
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