Craving for Ecstasy : How Our Passions Become Addictions and What We Can Do About Them (Paperback)

by Harvey Milkman (Author), Stanley Sunderwirth (Author) "In the drama of human excess, experience is the protagonist, and drugs or activities are merely supporting actors..." (more)
Key Phrases: compulsive pleasure, human compulsion, reward center, United States, Alcoholics Anonymous, Annabel Lee (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"The chemistry and psychology of addiction are described with considerable insight. These authors know their stuff, and they make a compelling case. . . .All in all, Craving for Ecstasy is a challenging, well-considered analysis." (Los Angeles Times)

"Milkman and Sunderwirth offer a new and different perspective from which to understand a very complex and confusing pattern of human behavior. Their ideas are vibrant, provocative, stimulating and, written for a public that is demanding a better explanation." (Howard J. Shaffer, director of the Center for Addiction Studies, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and The Cambridge Hospital)

Product Description
Alcohol, tobacco, sex, food. . .escape the pleasure trap and regain control of your life!

The chemistry and psychology of addiction are described with considerable insight. These authors know their stuff, and they make a compelling case. . . .All in all, Craving for Ecstasy is a challenging, well-considered analysis.

?Los Angeles Times

Milkman and Sunderwirth offer a new and different perspective from which to understand a very complex and confusing pattern of human behavior. Their ideas are vibrant, provocative, stimulating, and written for a public that is demanding a better explanation.
?Howard J. Shaffer, director, Center for Addiction Studies, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and The Cambridge Hospital

Addictive behavior goes far beyond the compulsive use of drugs and alcohol. It is possible to become addicted to what may seem a harmless pleasure such as sex, jogging, watching television, or eating. In this powerful book?written in easy-to-understand language?two scientific researchers, Harvey Milkman and Stanley Sunderwirth, explain the biology, chemistry, and psychology of the universal desire for pleasure and escape. For example, they reveal how the brain produces mind-altering
substances and what the skydiver has in common with the heroin addict. But, most importantly, with the use of a self-assessment test and an invaluable guide for treatment, the authors show what steps you can take to regain control of your life.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass (July 31, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787941328
• ISBN-13: 978-0787941321
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #277,861 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The cutting edge on addiction technology, February 1, 2000

By	Jonathan Schneider (Tarzana, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a must for anyone who wants to understand the physiological process involved in addiction and compulsive behavior. The biggest revelation of this book is that all addictions whether they are substance or behavior based such as gambling, are caused by natural neurochemicals in the brain.

In an era when addiction is running rampant. When you can walk into any convenience store and acquire nicotine, alcohol, junk food, lottery tickets and pornography. Harvey Milkman and Stanley Sunderwirth discuss more positive ways of achieving a natural high such as involvement in the arts. It's about changing negative behaviors that destroy life into positive ones that add to life.

Jon Schneider Producer A Drug Called Pornography

5.0 out of 5 stars craving for ecstasy, February 27, 2009

By	P. D. Atherton "paul d atherton" (swindon, england) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A solid insight into the underlying chemical processes of addiction, the mechanics of addiction, and the reasons for certain types of addiction being "chosen". Of all the titles on addiction I have read I found this the most stimulating and it answers all the key questions I had in terms of the "why's" about my own addictions. Very Helpful