books
in the realm of hungry ghosts close encounters with addiction
based on gabor mates two decades of experience as a medical doctor and his groundbreaking work with the severely addicted on vancouvers skid row in the realm of hungry ghosts radically reenvisions this much misunderstood field by taking a holistic approach . dr. mate presents addiction not as a discrete phenomenon confined to an unfortunate or weak willed few but as a continuum that runs throughout and perhaps underpins our society ; not a medical condition distinct from the lives it affects rather the result of a complex interplay among personal history emotional and neurological development brain chemistry and the drugs and behaviors of addiction . simplifying a wide array of brain and addiction research findings from around the globe the book avoids glib self help remedies instead promoting a thorough and compassionate self understanding as the first key to healing and wellness . in the realm of hungry ghosts argues persuasively against contemporary health social and criminal justice policies toward addiction and those impacted by it . the mix of personal stories including the authors candid discussion of his own high status addictive tendencies and science with positive solutions makes the book equally useful for lay readers and professionals .
paperback random house inc 2010 isbn13 9781556438806 isbn10 155643880x
book type nf isbn 13 9781556438806 number of pages 493 publisher random house inc release date 1262649600000