In just over two decades this book has become a classic in understanding what addiction is, how it works, why addictions occur, the ingredients of an addiction, and what must be done in overcoming one. Dr. May talks about addictions from coffee to the other end of the spectrum. He shows us that we all have them. They do not have to be life-threatening, although many are.
As a medical doctor, he shows that addictions are not just a mental challenge that must be surmounted. There are physical, neurological and spiritual components that enter into the whole mix.
I initially bought this book in the late eighties to try to better understand the problem of alcoholism in my family. I have to say, I got what I wanted. I also got to take a better look at myself and what makes me tick.
Each reading of this is very new. However, it is also a great reference book to keep handy to help others in need. I have used it hundreds of times in this manner.
I have likened it many times to
The Confessions of St. Augustine
and his speaking of his own addictions. To paraphrase him, he said addictions are a perversion of any of our passions, which then get out of hand: we go from an evil, to a habit, to a compulsion and then to a necessity. At one point, he calls it the "Law of Sin," which he gets from Saint Paul's Letters to the Romans (and Galatians). He gives a great definition too! He says, "the law of sin is the fierce force of habit, by which the mind is drawn and held even against its will, and yet deservedly because it had fallen willfully into the habit" (Book 8, 5 in the Frank Sheed translation shown above).
Like Augustine, like any 12-step program, Dr. May shows that there is a dimension in recovery that is beyond ourselves. Augustine saw it as Christ, the "... Anonymous" programs see it as a Higher Power, Dr. May calls it "Grace." Because of this dimension, this is not only a helpful, but also a good spiritual read that can benefit almost anyone.
I've liked the hardcover, because it serves one well over the years. It's not a bad idea to keep a few used paperback copies around to give away. They're cheap enough! I've given away dozens of copies along the way, and will probably continue to do so.
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A Classic in Understanding Addictions, their Components, and the Road Back from Them
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2010
In just over two decades this book has become a classic in understanding what addiction is, how it works, why addictions occur, the ingredients of an addiction, and what must be done in overcoming one. Dr. May talks about addictions from coffee to the other end of the spectrum. He shows us that we all have them. They do not have to be life-threatening, although many are.As a medical doctor, he shows that addictions are not just a mental challenge that must be surmounted. There are physical, neurological and spiritual components that enter into the whole mix.I initially bought this book in the late eighties to try to better understand the problem of alcoholism in my family. I have to say, I got what I wanted. I also got to take a better look at myself and what makes me tick.Each reading of this is very new. However, it is also a great reference book to keep handy to help others in need. I have used it hundreds of times in this manner.I have likened it many times to the Confessions of Saint Augustine and his speaking of his own addictions. To paraphrase him, he said addictions are a perversion of any of our passions, which then get out of hand: we go from an evil, to a habit, to a compulsion and then to a necessity. At one point, he calls it the "Law of Sin," which he gets from Saint Paul's Letters to the Romans (and Galatians). He gives a great definition too! He says, "the law of sin is the fierce force of habit, by which the mind is drawn and held even against its will, and yet deservedly because it had fallen willfully into the habit" (Book 8, 5 Frank Sheed translation).Like Augustine, like any 12-step program, Dr. May shows that there is a dimension in recovery that is beyond ourselves. Augustine saw it as Christ, the "... Anonymous" programs see it as a Higher Power, Dr. May calls it "Grace." Because of this dimension, this is not only a helpful, but also a good spiritual read that can benefit almost anyone.I've liked the hardcover, because it serves one well over the years. It's not a bad idea to keep a few used paperback copies around to give away. They're cheap enough! I've given away dozens of copies along the way, and will probably continue to do so.
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2010
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 6, 2014
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 25, 2010
As a medical doctor, he shows that addictions are not just a mental challenge that must be surmounted. There are physical, neurological and spiritual components that enter into the whole mix.
I initially bought this book in the late eighties to try to better understand the problem of alcoholism in my family. I have to say, I got what I wanted. I also got to take a better look at myself and what makes me tick.
Each reading of this is very new. However, it is also a great reference book to keep handy to help others in need. I have used it hundreds of times in this manner.
I have likened it many times to the Confessions of Saint Augustine and his speaking of his own addictions. To paraphrase him, he said addictions are a perversion of any of our passions, which then get out of hand: we go from an evil, to a habit, to a compulsion and then to a necessity. At one point, he calls it the "Law of Sin," which he gets from Saint Paul's Letters to the Romans (and Galatians). He gives a great definition too! He says, "the law of sin is the fierce force of habit, by which the mind is drawn and held even against its will, and yet deservedly because it had fallen willfully into the habit" (Book 8, 5 Frank Sheed translation).
Like Augustine, like any 12-step program, Dr. May shows that there is a dimension in recovery that is beyond ourselves. Augustine saw it as Christ, the "... Anonymous" programs see it as a Higher Power, Dr. May calls it "Grace." Because of this dimension, this is not only a helpful, but also a good spiritual read that can benefit almost anyone.
I've liked the hardcover, because it serves one well over the years. It's not a bad idea to keep a few used paperback copies around to give away. They're cheap enough! I've given away dozens of copies along the way, and will probably continue to do so.
A Classic in Understanding Addictions, their Components, and the Road Back from Them
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 25, 2010
In just over two decades this book has become a classic in understanding what addiction is, how it works, why addictions occur, the ingredients of an addiction, and what must be done in overcoming one. Dr. May talks about addictions from coffee to the other end of the spectrum. He shows us that we all have them. They do not have to be life-threatening, although many are.Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 25, 2010
As a medical doctor, he shows that addictions are not just a mental challenge that must be surmounted. There are physical, neurological and spiritual components that enter into the whole mix.
I initially bought this book in the late eighties to try to better understand the problem of alcoholism in my family. I have to say, I got what I wanted. I also got to take a better look at myself and what makes me tick.
Each reading of this is very new. However, it is also a great reference book to keep handy to help others in need. I have used it hundreds of times in this manner.
I have likened it many times to the Confessions of Saint Augustine and his speaking of his own addictions. To paraphrase him, he said addictions are a perversion of any of our passions, which then get out of hand: we go from an evil, to a habit, to a compulsion and then to a necessity. At one point, he calls it the "Law of Sin," which he gets from Saint Paul's Letters to the Romans (and Galatians). He gives a great definition too! He says, "the law of sin is the fierce force of habit, by which the mind is drawn and held even against its will, and yet deservedly because it had fallen willfully into the habit" (Book 8, 5 Frank Sheed translation).
Like Augustine, like any 12-step program, Dr. May shows that there is a dimension in recovery that is beyond ourselves. Augustine saw it as Christ, the "... Anonymous" programs see it as a Higher Power, Dr. May calls it "Grace." Because of this dimension, this is not only a helpful, but also a good spiritual read that can benefit almost anyone.
I've liked the hardcover, because it serves one well over the years. It's not a bad idea to keep a few used paperback copies around to give away. They're cheap enough! I've given away dozens of copies along the way, and will probably continue to do so.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Sue B, NW England
Down to Earth Applied Spirituality.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 9, 2021St Remeze
For Freedom, Christ has set you Free! (St. Paul)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on March 5, 2017Helen
A beautiful avenue for addiction
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on May 22, 2014
Mr. Peter Carroll
Lots of science, but even more Grace!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 2, 2010
