Understanding the Alcoholic's Mind: The Nature of Craving and How to Control It [Paperback]

Arnold M. Ludwig (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195059182 | ISBN-13: 978-0195059182 | Publication Date: June 8, 1989

Despite the immense obstacles they face, many alcoholics do manage to recover. In this groundbreaking book, Arnold M. Ludwig--a doctor with over twenty-five years of experience working with alcoholics--goes inside the minds of alcoholics in order to explain the behaviors and thought processes they use to get and stay sober. Whether alcoholics achieve recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous, a church, counseling, hospitalization, or entirely of their own initiative, the basic methods remain essentially the same. This book offers the first detailed examination of these successful methods. Ludwig has discovered that in most cases a lasting recovery can only begin after certain crucial attitude changes occur. Regardless of the motivation of alcoholics, powerful forces lure them back to drink. To remain sober, alcoholics not only must recognize these forces and the dangerous frame of mind that fuels them, but also must use a variety of techniques for resisting temptation. Recovery involves far more than simply not drinking; it means a sober life style. Over the years, Ludwig has worked with over one thousand alcoholics from all walks of life and within many different settings, including hospital clinics, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, detoxification centers, and private homes. Using clinical vignettes, research findings, and personal anecdotes, he documents the basic principles necessary for conquering craving and achieving recovery. Ludwig offers an optimistic message: no matter how bad things get, there is always hope. This book will provide insights not only for recovering alcoholics, but also for their families, counselors, and doctors.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An outstanding effort filled with important information for those who treat alcoholics, live with alcoholics, or who are alcoholics.... A significant contribution to the field, and all who deal with alcoholics would benefit from reading it."--Science Books and Films

"A thoroughly readable and rich introduction to...the process of recovery from alcoholism."--New England Journal of Medicine

"Ludwig offers a unique integrative perspective which encompasses the clinical wisdom accrued through twenty-five years of experience as an alcoholism researcher and therapist....The book serves as an excellent primer for clinicians and recovering persons on a practical and multiperspective approach to alcoholism treatment."--Contemporary Psychology

"An exciting contribution to the growing self-help literature in the addictions field....Dr. Ludwig has long enjoyed an excellent reputation both as a researcher and clinician in the field of alcohol studies. This book will strengthen that reputation. It will also save lives."--G. Alan Marlatt, University of Washington

"Perhaps the best book on the subject I have read for a long time."--Donald W. Goodwin, M.D., University of Kansas

"Solid, informative, imaginative, and elegantly written."--Harold Kalant, M.D., University of Toronto

`The sifted and assimilated result of years of thoughtful observation by a kind and sensitive clinician."--Margaret Bean-Bayog, M.D., Harvard Medical School

"An excellent little book--highly informative, full of challenging and stimulating ideas, and teeming with shrewd clinical insights."--British Journal of Psychiatry

"Useful for physicians who wish to understand alcoholism and the recovery process, and to gain anecdotal evidence of this process, which is presented by using the words of recovering alcoholics....Can be of great value to those many physicians faced with individual patients who are drinking too much." --New York State Journal of Medicine

"A rich and interesting book filled with references to research, self-reports by alcoholics, and fictional allusion to the thought-processes of the alcoholic... Ludwig does not proselytize about any one approach and he offers a hearty notes/bibliography section for those who wish to find out more about technical aspects of alcoholism and treatment." --KLIATT Young Adult Paperback Book Guide

About the Author

Arnold Ludwig, M.D. is E. A. Edwards Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. He is on the editorial board of The American Journal of Psychotherapy and has written five other books and over one hundred articles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 8, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195059182
• ISBN-13: 978-0195059182
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Filled in the gaps, January 10, 2004

By 

"k_kat" (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding the Alcoholic's Mind: The Nature of Craving and How to Control It (Paperback)

I have been in substance abuse counseling and AA on and off for a few years. Recently I began researching alternatives to the 12-step approach in secular organizations such as SOS and non-AA affiliated books such as "Rational Recovery." This was one of the books I chose to read and I'm very happy I did. Written by a medical doctor and experienced researcher, the book brings together a lot of information about alcoholism that I had picked up in bits and pieces from treatment into an understandable and inspiring model for recovery. The chapters -- entitled "Paradoxes and Contradictions", "The Lure of the Siren", "The Dry Drunk", "The Mystery of Craving", "On and Off the Wagon", "The Proper Frame of Mind", "Resisting Temptation", "Sobriety Scripts" and "The Sober Mind" -- cover in depth how and why alcoholics relapse, and present foundations for committed sobriety. He states the fundamental view of the book in the preface: "1. ...many alcoholics, under the proper circumstances, do manage to recover. 2. Those who recover do so by adopting certain characteristic ways of thinking and behaving. 3. The changes associated with recovery...tend to involve...all aspects of their lives." The book follows this premise with scientific background, real life examples, and insight into why AA and other approaches work or do not work for different individuals. I've been able to put into perspective the seriousness of my harmful drinking and understand what it means for me to make a true, lasting commitment to sobriety. Most importantly, I've gained insight into the worst aspect of alcoholism (for me), craving, through the latter chapters on how to avoid, curtail and resist it. The information in this book has given me valuable tools to continue with my sobriety.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A cogent, powerful little book, July 27, 2007

By 

Timothy P. Scott (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Understanding the Alcoholic's Mind: The Nature of Craving and How to Control It (Paperback)

Though lucky enough to not be an addict myself, I have learned a huge amount about alcoholism and recovery from it in the past few months. I've been to several dozen AA and Al-Anon meetings, read many, many books and pamphlets and I must say that Ludwig's book is definitely one of the best I've read during that time. Everything he writes about rings dead true from what alcoholics, both using and recovering, and their loved ones report. If I had only one book to recommend as an adjunct to a good 12-step program, it would probably be this one. Don't be put off by the mass of references and small print, it's not a completely academic effort, but extremely pragmatic, super well written and easy to read and compassionate without being coddling.
(The other writer I can't recommend highly enough on relapse prevention is Terence Gorski, but that's a subject for another review...)

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Effective Tool for Those Who Want to Stop Drinking, May 31, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Understanding the Alcoholic's Mind: The Nature of Craving and How to Control It (Paperback)

This book is a good "companion" book for someone who wants to stop drinking. It has chapters detailing the nature of cravings, practical solutions for resisting temptation, and what happens beyond sobriety. You can pick it up and put it down, after the first read through, and always find something useful if you need a little boost. The author's credentials and amount of research are exemplary.