The Psychology of Addiction

This accessible book takes a psychological approach to understanding addiction. It considers key questions and myths surrounding addition such as ‘how do people get hooked?’ and ‘can you recover from addiction?’ Using examples from popular culture, the book also draws on psychological and neuroscientific theories and sets addiction in a social context, comparing drug addiction with other types such as gambling and sex. It goes on to consider addiction recovery and different therapies such as mindfulness, suggesting a compassionate approach to understanding addiction may lead to changes in drug policy. It will be of interest to anyone looking for a psychological understanding of addiction.