"The Addictive Personality: Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior " by Craig Nakken
I got a few pages of an extract from the book, that an addiction counsellor at my 12-step group had written from this book. It REALLY explains the addictive personality, the why's and how and part of the solutions.
Craig Nakken's teachings seem to be popular here in Sweden, and as far as I know also in the USA.
I think it is good for both those struggling with own addictions such as gaming, and also their relatives. It gives a better understanding of how we change our personality, and how we go from being the "I" to an "addict".
Please comment on this book if you have read it, and maybe spread the word to those who might be interested. I can't wait to read the whole book when I get my hands on it! It really helps me to understand how I can behave the way I have been, when active in any addiction.
You can find it in english here: NOTE (I can't seem to get the link to work here, sorry about that, you can copy and paste or google Craig Nakken)
">www.amazon.com/Addictive-Personality-Understanding-Compulsive-Behavior/d...
I just ordered it through Amazon, thanks for finding it and reccommending it to us.
"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone
FreeSpirit, I read the few pages extract in the "See all Editorial Reviews" link and found it very interesting, especially the section on "Trance". That described what I felt like while playing video games during my addiction phase more accurately than anything else that I have ever read. As such, just like John of the Roses, I have also placed an order for a copy through Amazon. Thank you for recommending the book.
- John O.
[em]Carpe Diem![/em] (Seize the Day!)
Addictive Personality... I think there's a picture of me next to that in the dictionary/encyclopedia. ;)
The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions.
-Alfred Lord Tennyson
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Funny Brad...they chose your picture over mine then? ;) lol I am very happy to hear you have ordered the book. I look forward to reading it too, hopefully I'll get it next week from the addiction-counsellor, otherwise I will order it myself. Thanks!
We are adding it to our library of addiction and recovery books. (After I read it first!)
"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." --W. Clement Stone
Can't wait to receive it and read it . Thanks again for recommending this Free :)
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -------Mahatma Gandhi.
Just received the book by mail, sorry to disappoint you Brad..no picture.. :D Also bought another book which might be interesting to some of our female members here. It is called "Women who think to much" by Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, Ph.D. Over thinking can make your life very hard to manage and may even lead to a need to silence your thoughts....using addictive substances. I have just started reading it so I don't know if it will be helpful.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -------Mahatma Gandhi.
I received the book a few days ago and have finished reading it. Although it has only 120 pages of information, it did an excellent job of explaining many things such as that regardless of the substance or behaviour of choice, the underlying disease of addiction has many common aspects. Although it does not even mention video game addiction (that is not too surprising since the last update was in 1996), I found that most of it was applicable to my situation. In particular, it explained the causes, stages and recovery process. It helped to explain several things that I previously had trouble understanding such as some of the underlying principles of the 12 steps and why they have worked so well for so many addicts. Also, I understand better now why, in some ways, I am like a "dry alcoholic" in that I have stopped using my "drug" but I have not yet dealt that much with the underlying causes. I realize that I still have a lot of work to do but I now better understand what I need to do. Although I wish that I had read this book years ago, I am glad that I have done so now. I have never before read any other book about addiction so I don't know how it compares to other such books. I found it to be very educational and I recommend it to anybody who wants to better understand how addiction starts, progresses and what is needed to overcome it.
- John O.
[em]Carpe Diem![/em] (Seize the Day!)
Isn't there at least a picture of the back of my head? lol :)
The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions.
-Alfred Lord Tennyson
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LOL. I love this humor :D Thanks guys for reviewing and ideas about new books, it is amazing when I read something that gives me a better understanding, and I especially look for the explanations AND solutions. It goes hand in hand. As I said I've read excerpts from the book I mentioned and still haven't got the whole thing. I'm glad I heard of it tho.
nope :D
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -------Mahatma Gandhi.
A great book, very informative. It explains very well how the addictive personality is formed and how it slowly gains control over a person long before this person or others recognize it. It describes clearly how the stages of addiction happen and in what ways it effects the addict and the people around him/her. It is recommendable for everyone, addicts and family/spouses.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -------Mahatma Gandhi.
I have always enjoyed Terance Gorski work on Relapse, he mentioned addictions taeking other forms, include gaming (among others) and really is able to help with pinpointing triggers taht lead to relapse, be it self destructive behaviors...Judith Hays is great for affirmations, and father MArtins rendition of the Disease concept is best still. "chalk Talk" which can be seen via you tube I believe. Some of my personal favorites...not to mention John Bradshaw work for later in recovery. IMHO...
Be Good to yourself! Rule #62: "Don't take yourself too **** seriously! " 12x12 Book And dont forget to donate... Donate
I am currently reading The Addictive Personality. It is amazing! I am now able to see my addictive patterns, past and present. Instead of self-loathing, I understand where they came from. My addictions have been varied over the years: work, exercise (bodybuilding), food, wow, spending, etc. Next I will be reading on the recovery process.
The question is....will you be able/courageous/adult enough to sacrifice that which merely pleases you...for that which will truly fulfill you? That is the question of personal growth.
~~~Dem518
~~~wow-free since 8/22/09
I did the Work Book too, was a great interactive way of listing Warning signs...and mangement plans for each.
Be Good to yourself! Rule #62: "Don't take yourself too **** seriously! " 12x12 Book And dont forget to donate... Donate
Kelley ty so much for your share. After reading the book I was able to see (what Brad has refered to..) my "whack a mole addictions." Jumping from one addiction to another. Wow was the worst. When Im feeling unsure or not 100% me I go back and reread certain passages in that book. It is, for me, a great tool to keep my head in the game. Oops no pun intented. LOL. :P
Take the first step in faith. You donaEU(tm)t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on.
~Bob Newhart
The minute you alter your perception of yourself and your future, both you and your future begin to change. ~Marilee Zdenek
Yes, it made me realize the various addictions I have jumped to throughout my lifetime.
The question is....will you be able/courageous/adult enough to sacrifice that which merely pleases you...for that which will truly fulfill you? That is the question of personal growth.
~~~Dem518
~~~wow-free since 8/22/09
This book has been a Godsend in helping me understand the basis of my addictive behaviors. I can't recommend it strongly enough to help anyone who knows they have an addictive problem or thinks they might. The same is true for family or friends of people you believe are addicts. You really can't solve/manage a problem you don't understand and that's what this book did for me...help me understand why.
For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you."
Isaiah 41:13
Retired World of Warcraft player...five L70+ alts...four years of my life I'll never get back.
Formerly this post was simply:
"Somebody please erase this weird little troll."
Someone had been entering vague sentences containing links to online businesses. Thank you for erasing them.
Ever reach down to turn down the sound on your car radio, only to realize that it wasn't actually on, and what you wanted to turn down were your thoughts?
At the bottom of each post you should have a button "'Report Abuse" if you click on that button for a post like what you are describing above, it sends a note to the admins and I beleive "hides" the post. Then an admin would review it and decide to remove the post if warranted.
" ... don't question it just go" "... where the body goes the mind will follow"
.
Borrowed from "Desire to Stop"
Thank you - How dare they hide that button where I wouldn't find it. IN PLAIN SIGHT!
I'd never look there.
Ever reach down to turn down the sound on your car radio, only to realize that it wasn't actually on, and what you wanted to turn down were your thoughts?
Harold is correct, except for one minor clarification. For OLGA/OLG-Anon moderators, and all administrators, the "report abuse" button always hides the post immediately from everybody except for those with administrator privilege. However, as I recall, it takes 3 reports from regular members before that happens (to help avoid possible abuse, such as one member being upset with another one and reporting many, or even all, of their posts as "abuse" so that they are not visible). I am unsure of the number of reports required when chat moderators click on that button.
However, this thread topic is about a book. As I already wrote in Reply #8 above, I think that book is an excellent way to learn more about addictive personalities.
- John O.
[em]Carpe Diem![/em] (Seize the Day!)
http://www.amazon.com/Addictive-Personality-Understanding-Compulsive-Behavior/dp/1568381298/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221858013&sr=1-1
This does look like a good book. I plan to get it and read it. I think Socrates guiding rule "Know Thyself." is a wise one. Thanks, Rebourne, for bringing this one back to the surface!
Serena
[IMG]http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i411/KikiDuvet/60033_1410491304706_1305182326_30954409_2166647_n.jpg[/IMG]
"A person starts to live when he can live outside himself." Albert Einstein
"You don't get to choose how you are going to die. Or when.
You can only decide how you are going to live. Now." Joan Baez
Yes, the addictive personal does look like a good book. Thanks for the share!
Mario
My dad has wanted to write this book for a while. He will be disappointed when I tell him it's already been written!
Excellent book! I highly recommend it as an anon. I'm sure the ex-gamers would relate to the symptoms. It gives you great insight on what is happening to the gamer through the different stages. I had many 'aha' moments while reading.
We tell lies when we are afraid - afraid of what we don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear grows stronger. ~Tad Williams