Customer Reviews

Willpower's Not Enough: Recovering from Addictions of Every Kind

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I disagree with the last reviewer. This book offers an unusual, and highly useful, perspective on the causes and treatments of addiction. Typically, the goal of most self-help books on the subject is abstinence from use. The present book considers abstinence only the first step in the life-long process of addiction recovery. The book focuses on addictive behaviors and personality traits, how they originate, why they lead to addiction. It gave me terrific insight into why I can quit smoking, but then relapse after a few months. Highly recommended to any thinking person interested in understanding and recovering from their addiction.

Even though the book targets the American readers, i found that it is also useful for everyone as long as they are exposed to addictions of all kinds. This book helps me understand more about myself (and the reasons for my addictions) and the other, that now i can learn how to be more compassionate and understanding, not only to myself, but also to the whole human world. It would be a great loss if you miss this book!

Being a recovering addict as well as a medical professional, I found this book very helpful in aiding me to explore my own addiction in an objective manner. Further, it offers excellent suggestions for coping, changing, and support. If you are an addict, please read this book. It will help.

I thought before I purchased this book that I "might" have an addiction. This book clearly shows how the seed of addiction is planted in childhood. At times the book really hit hard; reading the symptoms and feelings THAT I HAD made me realize there was no denying that I have an addictive personality. The author is very encouraging, but doesn't promise a "quick fix". The book is to be used as a tool to help one on their journey to overcome their addiction(s). I'm happy to say i'm on my way to overcoming 3 addictions with the help of this book and an online 12 step program. I recommend this book to anyone who thinks they might have an addiction.

I rarely write reviews of books I've read but had to chime in with the previous reviewer to say that this is a TERRIFIC book for anyone who finds himself/herself ashamed or frustrated by the inability to stop an addiction. It's more than I've gotten from 12-step meetings because it delves into the creation of an addiction from a neuropsychological point of view. That has really helped me recognize what's going on in my head, so I can appreciate the fact that from a physiological point of view, I REALLY AM ADDICTED to some things, and need the group process to fight the battle.

As an addiction counselor, I am always looking for books to recommend to my clients. This book in my opinion is one of the best out there. I usually will have my clients read this along with "7 Tools to Beat Addiction" by Stanton Peele. This gives them an understanding of two very different ways of approaching the problem and between the two you get a pretty comprehensive overview of treatment strategies.

I have read many books concerning 12-step programs and recovery from addiction; and this is truly one of the best that I have ever picked up. Although the book takes a general approach---combining alcoholism, gambling, sex, food, etc. together---it offers profound insights into all addictions. It is well-written, easy to read, and offers many useful suggestions regarding recovery. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is strugging with an addictive behavior.

Willpower is not Enough is the best book on addiction that i have read so far and i have read dozens. it gives a brilliant breakdown of the personality traits that most addicts tend to have, why people become addicts and why they continue to use drugs despite such painful consequences, the typical kinds of families that addicts tend to come from, what drugs really offer the drug addict that make the consequences so worth it, what codependents get out of their obsession, and finally a step by step guide explaining how to pull oneself out of the hopeless cycle of addiction and into healthy living. this book is comprehensive, brilliant, original, brave, and hopeful.

This book is one of the best I have read on addictive behaviors. Most of these titles have one or two chapters that are helpful, while the rest are mediocre. This volume has valuable insight from cover to cover. Although not a specifically Christian work, the author does encourage people who struggle with an addiction to call upon a higher power. I recommend this book highly.

This is a very good book. It is well written, it is clear and concise, and I get the feeling the author is coming from a good place. I say that because I think most self-help books are useless, flakey and full of half-baked ideas. This is not one of those books.

Like all good advice, this book says nothing new, however it does contain penetrative reminders about self-acceptance. It does this without being wishy-washy since it appears to be based on solid psychological principles. The author has done his homework.

Even if you do not suffer from addictions yourself, it is a useful and educational read. It helps you understand why people get addicted, and gives useful insights on how you can help (or at least not add to the problem.)

I would just like to add that I personally do not think reading a book on your own is enough. Having a good friend, councilor, or support group to monitor your progress and encourage you along the journey is essential for permanent change. But that is just my opinion.