Customer Reviews

Sex, Drugs, Gambling, & Chocolate : A Workbook for Overcoming Addictions

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This workbook is loaded with practical suggestions and will appeal to anyone who has unsuccessfully sought to overcome a serious addiction or habit using more traditional (i.e. 12 step) treatment approaches. Horvath, whose credentials are extensive and impeccable, leads you step by step through a rethinking process designed to accomplish goals you may have thought impossible. The workbook approach is straighforward and adaptable to a variety of addictive behaviors (over 100 are identified!--you can add your own). The author's warm good humor and tolerance will support you through the tough times. He is there to hold your hand in the darkness and encourage you when you slip. He gives you full credit for your own accomplishments. It's the closest thing to individual therapy you will find in a bookstore (virtual or otherwise). There are many up-to-date references and a useful reading list. Incidentally, the information presented is not hostile towards, or totally incompatible with other approaches to addiction, but is primarily intended for those who want a scientifically proven, rational approach to behavior change.

Not everyone is a candidate for 12-step programs like Alcohol Anonymous. Clinical psychologist A. Thomas Horvath provides an alternative to 12-step in Sex, Drugs, Gambling, & Chocolate: A Workbook for Overcoming Addictions. He says "the purpose of this workbook is to draw together ideas and techniques that have been well studied and used in the field of addiction psychology and to present them in one readable workbook."
Dr. Horvath begins with the concept that addiction is a habit, and like other habits, it can be changed. While addiction usually has worse consequences than most habits, and changing it can be extremely difficult, it is still a habit, and it can be changed. He defines addiction as "repeated involvement with anything, despite excessive costs, because of craving." He adds that "an addiction is a type of relationship between an individual and [a] substance or activity." The idea that the person is a victim of the substance or activity is erroneous.
He divides his workbook into chapters on the perceived benefits of addiction, the costs of addiction, understanding and coping with craving, choices, and building a new life. Each chapter has an overview, followed by a detailed discussion of the subject. Then comes questions which help readers connect the information to their personal circumstances. Each chapter also includes two or three simple projects designed to help individuals apply the previous information in their lives. Chapters end with a section titled "What's Important Now?" which give readers an opportunity to record their personal growth.
Horvath is at all times encouraging and supportive, realizing that change comes in small increments. He also keeps his advice very practical and doesn't resort to jargon or "psychobabble." He maintains that we all have choices, and recognizes that people feel resentment when told that they have to overcome addictive behavior. Horvath says "regardless of what anyone else thinks, its up to you what happens with your addiction."
Sex, Drugs, Gambling, & Chocolate is designed for those who are choosing to overcome any addictive behavior and need practical help with achieving their goal. Horvath's workbook is based on taking personal responsiblity for your behavior and does not require total abstinance or turning your life over to a "Higher Power," unless you choose to do so.

One of the best things about this workbook is that it lets you decide what degree of change is best for your recovery. Choosing between total abstinence or moderation may not seem like a wise approach if your addictions have your will power out-gunned. But Horvath models his strategies on the idea of harm reduction -- i.e., some improvement is better than none, particularly since taming a major negative fixation usually takes changing many smaller unhealthy behaviors too. He defines addiction as an extreme form of habit, and makes a logical case for conquering it by increasing self-awareness, resolving conflict, substituting positive behaviors, finding support, avoiding temptation, and being persistent. Much of the guidance you'll get in this book will come from you. The work you'll need to do is customized by your responses to questions designed to help you understand how addiction issues affect your life. Projects at the end of each chapter encourage you to try out the ideas you've just read, and the space allotted for your own notes makes this a valuable personal journal of your progress. This is a process you can return to as often as you need to. Additional resources, including a detailed bibliography and a list of support groups, offer an innovative network of help and info. Horvath acknowledges that 12-step programs work for a lot of people. But he doesn't believe they are the ONLY way to overcome addictions. For those who might prefer a more flexible alternative, this one offers an effective, creative range of options.

This book explores the harm reduction model. It provides a variety of techniques to decrease addictive behaviors, many of them new and all of them coherent, logical, understandable, and practical. For people who struggle with addiction--expecially those who have explored 12-step programs and not found them useful--this book is a must read. I highly recommend it as an excellent source of strategy and treatment planning.

Practicing clinicians know that while the 12-step treatment programs have been very successful over many years, there are significant numbers of pstients/clients for whom these approaches have been unsuccessful. The author, Thomas Horvath, a highly experienced and nationally recognized addictions specialist, has provided in this second edition of his work, an alternative approach to treating addictive behaviors. His observations are not limited to the four addictions listed in the title. He mentions at the start of his work 111 addictive behaviors. Are there more? Most likely. He feels that the common denominator of most, if not all of addictive behaviors are two points:addiction is an extreme version of a habit,and, overcoming an addiction uses the same processes one uses to change other habits. From this base, Dr. Horvath presents both research and rich clinical experience supporting his position. The final product is an excellent workbook for the addicted person and a wonderful reference for the professional who would undertake treatment with an addicted person, regardless of the addiction.
The first section, "Getting Started" deals with those seekiing help or those who are still in the contemplative stage. It presents clear examples based on research and experience helping readers to place themselves regarding their addiction, and move them toward commitment and action.
Chapters three and four help the patient explore and understand the initial benefits of addiction and the current benefits of maintaining the addiction. These chapters are well detailed and provide an important reality base, leading to motivation to change.
Chapter five looks at the real costs of addictive behavior, again moving the patient closer to an openness for treatment.
Chapters six through thirteen take the individual from initial coping, recognizing choices, and working with craving. In eleven, the focus is on developing other life satisfactions and alternative responses. Finally, in twelve and thirteen, guidance is provided for building a new life and maintaining gains. The appendices are rich in reading and resources for those with additional questions.
In summary, this is a really excellent work that should be in everyone's library for patients use and as an aid to the professional. Even better news is the incredibly modest price for this work.

This book is truly a helpful book about overcoming addictions or any "behavior" problem/habit. Dr. Horvath shows his readers how to recognize and overcome a variety of addictive habits WITHOUT a 12-Step approach (which, DOES NOT work for everyone). If you are not comfortable with the same old 12-step approach and you have some sort of "addiction" to overcome, whether it be eating, alcohol, drugs, shopping, whatever, this book is for you! Even if your "habits" are moderate. Dr. Horvath can clearly show you another way . . . a much better way. This book is the best I've seen so far, next to "Addiction is a Choice." THIS is the book that Oprah needs to talk about!!!

There are many ways to treat addiction just like there are many religions that promise salvation. The problem is when people start saying that their way is the only way. But that's not the case with "Sex, Drugs, Gambling, & Chocolate: A Workbook for Overcoming Addictions" by Dr. A Thomas Horvath. Horvath offers an approach similar to "SMART (Self Management And Recovery Training) Recovery and Moderation Management".

Horvath's workbook is based on 2 premises: that addiction is an extreme version of habit and that overcoming addiction occurs using the same processes we use to change other habits. These ordinary processes include: increasing self-awareness, identifying and resolving conflict, discovering and developing alternative behaviors, using support from others, not acting on temptation, and being persistent.

Horvath doesn't agree that addiction is a disease and he believes moderation is possible and worth considering. He also, quite correctly, I believe, asserts that most people in AA benefit more from the social support rather than from total acceptance of the 12-step philosophy, and some people will benefit only from AA and NA, while some won't benefit from any approach.

When working this book, I gained the most insight from the cost/benefit analysis. Early in my addiction, there were many benefits. Drugs helped me cope with anxiety, depression, and boredom. They improved my social ability (or so I thought), gave me a sense of belonging, helped me feel self-confident, prevented pain, gave me energy, made me more creative and most importantly, produced euphoria. But over time, one by one, without my realizing it, these benefits were slowly replaced with their polar opposites and a tally of negative consequences too long to list here.

There are also three informative chapters on dealing with cravings, and Horvath suggests many support groups that are alternatives to AA and NA, but good luck finding them unless you live in California. "Sex, Drugs, Gambling, & Chocolate" is one more nail in the coffin of my addiction, and if you're like me, you need all the help you can get.

David Allan Reeves
Author of "Running Away From Me"

This book was recommended to me by a psychologist as an alternative to method for dealing with addiction. As the title suggests, the book is generalized to cover most any addiction. Most people struggling with addiction only know of the 12-step (AA type_ program. The AA program is an "all or nothing" solution that treats the addiction as a "disease" and puts the solution in the hands of a "higher power". I am not knocking AA, or the program, it has saved many lives. However, total abstinence does not work in all cases, obviously someone addicted to food can't stop eating all together. This book does not treat addiction as a disease or imply that we are powerless to overcome it.

This workbook offers a different approach. The book suggests accepting the benefits that are associated with the addiction and weighing them against the associated costs (material, emotional, etc...) The book helps find alternative methods for achieving the benefits, without the negative impact. The result is a solution that may not require total abstinence from the substance or activity. The book does recognize (and recommends) that in some cases, abstinence is the best method for approaching some addictions. The book points out that you are capable of making good decisions.

If you're struggling with one or more addictions I recommend using this book. If you're reading this, chances are you or someone you care about is struggling. There is hope. Whether you use this method or the traditional 12-step approach, there is hope. Don't give up. Don't get discouraged. If you're reading this, you're already headed in the right direction. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

I am a pyscholgoist who works with clients who have addictions, particularly having to do wih money issues. I often find a need for an alterantive to 12-step work, and this books meets that need.

Dr. Horvath's books is a good guide. I don't follow it to the letter, but often find myself using the exercises he recommends for clients, more or less in the order he prescribes.

The book feels like it is written a little too simply in places. However, better too simplistic than too dense to read. It is a practical and useful work.

John McConnell, Ph.D.
San Diego CA
www.johnmcconnellphd.com

Fantastic. There's no other way to say it. I can easily and thoughtlessly recommend this workbook to anyone. Not only does it work (if you put forth the effort, obviously), but the author even slides in a few interesting personal anecdotes and philosophical points--but simultaneously keeps it brief and doesn't bog you down with tangent stories or distasteful polemics. Get an extra one for a friend. :-D