The Addictive Personality: Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior

Excellent book. Life changer for understanding addiction. Highly recommend.

I think most people use the term, "addictive personality," too loosely. It's often used to describe someone who is very passionate and involved, maybe obsessed, with an activity or hobby. Some people can become overly enthusiastic about almost anything and become completely consumed by it. The term is also used to describe the intense drive and focus that most high-achieving people seem to possess. This single-minded pursuit of perfection is what motivates a violinist to practice scales for ten hours a day or a basketball player to shoot free-throws for just as long. I read somewhere that the mastery of some skills cannot be acquired in less than 10,000 hours practice, regardless of talent. While that may certainly be an addiction, in a sense, it's not what Craig Nakken is talking about in his book, "The Addictive Personality: Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior".Nakken says that an addictive personality is created by the illness of addiction and represents a change resulting from the addictive process that takes place within a person. It didn't exist before, and it's not a predisposition to addiction. In other words, what he is saying is that addiction is so powerful that it actually permanently alters one's personality. The addict, if he recovers, will have three distinct personalities throughout his life: before addiction, in active addiction, and in recovery. And according to AA co-founder, Bill Wilson, "...no true alky ever stops drinking permanently without undergoing a profound personality change."Nakken discusses three stages of addiction: internal change, lifestyle change, and life breakdown. He also examines the process of recovery and the family component of addiction. He reveals what all addictions have in common, whether it's drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, or whatever. This is an excellent book if you're seeking to better understand how addictions begin, how they progress, and what it takes to recovery.David Allan ReevesAuthor of "Running Away From Me"

Just when I think I'm getting out, they pull me back in! The many aspects of the addictive personality are complex and TRICKY. The chances of understanding how it all works, apart from an excellent book like this, are remote.The addictive personality that develops within some of us, replaces the "true" self and will go to great lengths to survive, even giving-up one addiction for another, just to remain in control.I am so glad I read this book. It gives a clear view of what the addict is up against in his efforts to regain control of his life. BONUS! Craig Nakken also discusses the tools that are available and necessary to put the addictive personality in it's place and keep it there.This book covers a lot of technical information, but does so in a way that is easy to understand, yet still valuable for professional therapists or just folks who are struggling as an addict or someone who loves an addict.There is so much incredible information in these 120 pages, it's not surprising that the book has sold over 100,000 copies. Truthfully, it deserves to be even more widely read.

I've had several addiction problems in my lifetime - drugs, cigarettes, and a food addiction. I've watched my life turn to dirt, given up on having a successful relationship, and have spent uncountable years of struggle with my addiction. And in my 40 years of life (25 of those addicted) this the first time I have been able to *understand* my addicition, how it came to be, how it manifests itself, how it feeds, and how and why it ruins my life.This book will give an excellent view of addiction as a whole, and does not specifically relate to any single addiction problem. You will learn the phases of addiction, and the how's and why's of the addictive personality. This goes a long way in helping you understand who you are, and how you got to where you are (as an addict).My only complaint with this book is that it relies on 12 step recovery plans as the recovery process for addiction. I haven't found OA to be effective for me, and will be researching other books that don't pursue the 12 step program of recovery.

One of the best books I have ever read about addictions. As a therapist I have witnessed the repeated cross addictions of an addictive personality. This is a must read for therapists, those who are addicted and their loved ones

This book does not emphasize how to treat addiction in a way a new therapist may want. However, I found it extremely valuable to read because it really helped me explain and put in to words for clients that their addiction is not just about use, it’s escape and much more. If you have no experience with addiction in your life, be it personal or professional, I recommend this book because it gives insight of how addiction starts and why which I believe is just as important as how to help someone through addiction. There is a certain element of spirituality in the book, but not in the sense of a Christian addiction is a moral failing, so if you are non-religious or religious outside of Christian, Judaism or Islam faiths, you will still benefit from reading this. If you are a part of the big 3 faith groups (in the US) you may need to stretch yourself a bit because the way spirituality is conceptualized in this book. I practice secular therapy and am secular in my personal life and I still recommend this book.

I have read a lot of literature on addiction and this book is one that explains the process and mindset very clearly. There’s no judgment on the addict, rather an empathetic explanation of the personality ad mindset.