Good books to explain the mindset of alcoholics and addicts

[sandpiper]

Just wondering if anyone has found something great on this topic that you can share.

[kaz]

I have read some good books by David Sheff and Nic Sheff (father/son)

Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction
Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines
We All Fall Down: Living with Addiction

[sandpiper]

Hi Kazzak, and thanks for your response.
I'm interested in books that are written from the perspective of clinical therapy or from a medical perspective. I think I've witnessed enough substance-based meltdowns from my family to write a few books of my own - if it didn't involve the horror of reliving it.

[FreyaRussell]

I am reading this book right now.  W O W.

[ChinaNow]

There's a great book that describes the workings of addiction called In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Mate. Mate is a doctor who has worked with addicts for many years. I am an ex-addict myself (alcohol/drugs) and when I read his book it was like a flash of light going off in my head. I think Dr Mate is light years ahead of other people in his research of addiction.

This is not a memoir of an addict, but it does describe the process of addiction and why people become addicted. In my opinion, I think it is a very valuable book.