Customer Reviews

The Addictive Personality: Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Craig Nakken is a family therapist and addictions counsellor at the Family Therapy Institute in St. Paul, Minnesota. He describes the addictive personality as "the most important idea expressed in this book". Nakken believes that some people are more prone to addiction than others. He examines various causes of this including influences in childhood. He does not rule out agenetic element saying that, "In all likelihood, it will be found to be a combination of the two" (environmental and genetic influences). An addictive personality may express itself in any addiction. This has important consequences for treatment. As Nakken observes:- Recovery is not just about breaking off one's relationship with an object or event, though this is of great importance. Recovery is primarily about coming to know one's addictive personality and taking the necessary steps to rid oneself of addictive attitudes, beliefs, values and behaviours. An example of the effect of this is given:- "People in a recovery program for alcohol addiction need to clearly understand thatthey are prone to form a possible addictive relationship with another object or event - food for example. For these people, sobriety acquires a new dimension; instead of only monitoring their relationship with alcohol, they also need to learn how to monitor the addictive part of themselves." Craig Nakken believes that Society "can push a person with addictive tendencies toward addiction". In his book he outlines some values in modern society which are similar to addictive values. For those who are politically conscious this section provides an interesting slant on one effect of a consumer society. The section of the book devoted to the topic of recovery is perhaps the weakest section. This section would have benefited considerably from case studies and more detailed advice. -Reviewed by Patrick Harrington  

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.

This book, written in clear easily understood terms, is a MUST for anyone who thinks or feels they are family, friends or co-workers with someone prone to compulsive behaviour. Those of us who have not been through de-tox and/or a 12 step programme are so deficient in awareness of the illness of addiction as to be unable to understand the effect close proximity to this illness can have upon their own lives. Nakken explains the causes of addictive behaviour and the common theme between all forms of addiction. Whether you work with or for a 'Control Freak' live with an alchoholic or a gambler/shoplifter/over-eater, or have a child who is on drugs/shoplifting, this book is for you. An excellent first step to understanding the 'illness of the 20th Century'.Although revised for the 2nd edition (1996), it lacks a section on 'Further recommended reading', but anyone getting this far should contact the publisher for advice on books on more specific topics arising.

I first read this book maybe ten years ago, shortly after I quit drinking. At the time I was at a loss in terms of understanding what I had put myself through, and why. When I read the book, it gave me an apt context in which to view my addiction. Every year or two I read it again, and always gain fresh insights. It surprised me greatly to read a few reviews here which put Nakken's work down. One person said the book was "useless" because it's too "theoretical". Funny, but I didn't find that to be the case. It definitely offered up thoughts on what I was going through which proved quite practical. Someone else implied Nakken's book is too contingent on the tenets of AA. I didn't find that to be the case either. It's a paradigm for understanding addiction which stands alone from the 12 steps. If people choose to use it in tandem with them, so be it. But it's not essential to what he says. Deng Xiaoping once said, "It doesn't matter if a cat is black or white, as long as it catches mice." Such is the case here. Some might feel he's too "theoretical", or take issue with his concept of the "addictive personality". Say what you want -- the man knows what he's talking about. He offers his readers some keen insights which are quite useful in understanding their own addictive issues, or those of someone close to them. I did NOT read this for a class. I read it because I had a problem, wanted to understand it, and when I was finished I actually did. As far as I'm concerned, Nakken's book was an excellent buy, and it's paid for itself maaaaany times over.

I was first exposed to Nakken's work in a Hazelden pamphlet from the late 1980s. I used that material & the papers of Harry Tiebout to present 1 lecture each month titled 'The Addictive Personality.' I did the lecture for about 3 years & then quit my job at a treatment center in order to go to grad school. What I learned there, & during the years since, has convinced me that there is no such thing (read single entity) as the 'addictive personality.' In fact, persons with many different personality structures become addicts. Over 20 years of research indicates the closest correlation exists with antisocial personality. Early versions of the DSM classified alcoholism along with neuroses & personality disorders, but that changed in 1986 with DSM3. Nakken's work continues interesting & somewhat entertaining, but is useless in explaining addiction. It neglects other causative factors, & may in fact contribute to learned helplessness by convincing a person that their personality (an enduring structure very difficult to change) caused their addiction!

I would reccomend this book to anyone who is or knows an addict. It provides clear information on the topics of addiction, addictive logic, stages of addiction, the Addict, recovery, and how to help. It clarifies a compicated topic into language anyone can understand and gives one a true sense of just what ANY addiction- drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, food- is really all about. It explains all the elements of addiction thouroughly and is a must have for an addict or family member.
I, myself, am a writer writing on the topic and was amazed at how much I learned from this book.

I've had several addiction problems in my lifetime - drugs, cigarettes, and a food addiction. I've watched my life turn to dirt, given up on having a successful relationship, and have spent uncountable years of struggle with my addiction. And in my 40 years of life (25 of those addicted) this the first time I have been able to *understand* my addicition, how it came to be, how it manifests itself, how it feeds, and how and why it ruins my life.
This book will give an excellent view of addiction as a whole, and does not specifically relate to any single addiction problem. You will learn the phases of addiction, and the how's and why's of the addictive personality. This goes a long way in helping you understand who you are, and how you got to where you are (as an addict).
My only complaint with this book is that it relies on 12 step recovery plans as the recovery process for addiction. I haven't found OA to be effective for me, and will be researching other books that don't pursue the 12 step program of recovery.

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.

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.

This book gives a good understanding of what the addict is thinking and his thought process. It talks about the many things that can be addicting, but in order to stop the addiction the addict must change his/her thought process, or else they will transfer addictions. A very good read.