Overcoming Addictions: The Spiritual Solution

In Overcoming Addictions Chopra promises joy, pleasure, love and hope as the unconventional solution for addictions, but he does not deliver it. Instead, we get a mish-mosh of Ayurvedic and western ideologies that totally confuse the reader. Chopra starts out with a very hard to understand of explanation of Ayurvedic karma where memories of addictive traits are somehow imbedded into our cells and require a purification called Panchkarma. Unfortunately, Chopra does not give this purification process to the reader. He also talks about creating positive feelings to overcome karma, but once again doesn't bother to explain how to do it. Then he launches into a boring discussion about the nature of addiction to alcohol, drugs, food, smoking and more. This is the longest part of the book. And then, at long last, he finally gets around to the solution, which is meditation, very mild exercise, poses for your particular Ayurvedic dosha, and a vata-balancing diet. This is the shortest part of the book. Along the way, Chopra makes the ridiculous claim that people who meditate and practice yoga avoid addictions. His last chapter is a short questionnaire for figuring out if you're in a state of joy or not. Huh? That's it? There's literally nothing joyful, hopeful or helpful about this book. For me, personally, it did not resonate as a spiritual work, meaning I did not get an iota of inspiration, not an iota of the call to more deeply connect with Creation, not an iota of the call to self-love. Chopra's got us all conned that he knows something we don't, but don't be fooled. This book is a mess.

Another nice book with greate examples of origins of addiction and how we can control it. It is painful to look at the ill effects of addiction not only in us and in out loved ones. but this book completely changed the perspective.

I would highly recommend this book, to any one who is going for the first time to overcome addictions. For me I have found out with this book that you can diminish greatly or completely eliminate addictions if you read it carefully, in detail and follow what Deepak Chopra is saying. Like I mentioned before it is the first step to recovery. I know that they are a lot of negative addictions out there like illegal drugs, alcohol, tobbacco, gambling and to much sex like a sex addict can also destoy lives. So if you really do want to take the first step to recovery I would recommend this book.

I found this book to be enormously helpful. Unlike several reveiwers who didn't find a step-by-step approach, "Overcoming Addictions" seemed very clear in terms of actions to take. I've used the techniques and viewpoints expressed in the book and found it THE most helpful and effective approach to overcoming addictions I've seen yet. The problem is that you have to actually read the book and get the idea, instead of looking for lists of what to do. He treats you as an adult with a sound inner core. His view is that an addicted person is essentially trying to find joy and a degree of enlightenment. He honors the reader by saying that "using" is simply a misguided but understandable attempt to find union with the already existing inner child, the wise and joyful person who already exists. He explains the karmic cycle in clear terms and advises how to insert images, memories and real experiences into the cycle of addiction to supplant the old habit with new, positive ways to cope with life. His is a message of hope. It is not a method which punishes, negates or brands you with a label of "addict" for the rest of your life. This book, if read mindfully, can clear a way to a far happier life. As to specific techniques, he provides tips for yoga poses, food programs, questions to ask yourself and other advice. He advises mediation and gives several specific ways to use meditation and breathing exercises to increase mindfullness. His is a message of hope and positive action based on an understanding, very human and highly validating view of the addicted person.

One hopes Chopra's penchant for the prolific does not dilute the forcefulness of his ideas. This book is a perfect antidote to the "just say no" approach to addictive behaviors. The style is friendly, inspirational, delightfully allusive (references from John Milton to Charlie Parker). Still one wishes for more specifics and comprehensiveness. Chopra treats alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs. What about legally prescribed yet abused drugs

One hopes Chopra's penchant for the prolific does not dilute the forcefulness of his ideas. This book is a perfect antidote to the "just say no" approach to addictive behaviors. The style is friendly, inspirational, delightfully allusive (references ranging from John Milton to Charlie Parker). Still one wishes for more specifics and comprehensiveness. Chopra treats alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs. What about legally prescribed yet abused drugs