The Addictive Personality: Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior

I was very impressed and actually shocked about how on point this book really is! Word for word me, and i assume all other addicts out there. No matter what you are addicted to this book impressed me and i need it in my daily life to cope with addiction. Finally someone who understands, I want to have everyone i know read this book.

Just when I think I'm getting out, they pull me back in! The many aspects of the addictive personality are complex and TRICKY. The chances of understanding how it all works, apart from an excellent book like this, are remote. The addictive personality that develops within some of us, replaces the "true" self and will go to great lengths to survive, even giving-up one addiction for another, just to remain in control. I am so glad I read this book. It gives a clear view of what the addict is up against in his efforts to regain control of his life. BONUS! Craig Nakken also discusses the tools that are available and necessary to put the addictive personality in it's place and keep it there. This book covers a lot of technical information, but does so in a way that is easy to understand, yet still valuable for professional therapists or just folks who are struggling as an addict or someone who loves an addict. There is so much incredible information in these 120 pages, it's not surprising that the book has sold over 100,000 copies. Truthfully, it deserves to be even more widely read.

I am a substance abuse counselor who read the first edition for a better understanding of my patients. I feel Mr. Nakken is right on based on my exeperiences. In the military we preach that abstenence is the only cure for persons diagnosed with dependence. I also like the spiritual link. I have found this to be an important element in recovery. I found this book simple without the counselor mumbo jumbo. The person that said that abstenence is not the only way needs to get to know more addicts. I grew up in NY where addicts were addicted to methadone and were even selling it. I highly recommend this book to anyone in recovery, anyone associated with an addict or persons questioning themselves.

Being fairly new to the "recovery" phase of Addiction, I found this to be a fairly accurate autobiography. It was well written to where, even I the Addict", could not argue the logic contained in the book. If there was a missing piece, particularly in understanding the potential sources of "Addictive Personalities", I'd have to say that there was little mention of early childhood religion exposure. Shame appears to be my biggest obstacle in recovery, yet the book fails to describe a good methodology for putting it to rest. With that exception, I believe this book to be an outstanding overview of the Addictive Personality to be read by both the Addict and those around him/her.

No exaggeration. I'm considered to be a good person and a success, but have been deeply alone for years. I was trying to resolve an eating disorder when I came across this book. It explained exactly what was wrong, why, and how to heal and recover from not just the symptomatic eating disorder - but from the larger disease of addiction, which I now see has been at play in damaging so many aspects of my life. I wish I'd had this book 25 years ago. Everything finally makes sense. I'm so grateful for finding it.