Book Review: Mastering the Addicted Brain

I have worked in the substance use disorder field for about forty years. It can be a contentious field at times, with varying factions proclaiming that their way for recovery is the only way. Some go the denial-busting, “you must admit your an addict” route. Others focus more on the individual, seeking approaches to recovery that may work for them, whether that is harm-reduction, complete abstinence,  a life time of support group meetings, or something else. Walter Ling, author of Mastering the Addicted Brain: Building a Sane and Meaningful Life to Stay Clean is a flexible pragmatist. He is interested in helping readers find what will work for them. Ling is a professor emeritus of psychiatry and founding director of the Integrated Substance Abuse Programs at the University of California, Los Angeles. He holds board certifications in neurology and psychiatry, has conducted clinical trials of psychiatric medications, and has acted as a consultant to the World Health Organization. He also runs a private practice. Ling is also an author, with his first book being an excellent tool for anyone seeking to overcome an addiction. Mastering the Addicted Brain is geared toward addiction to substances specifically, but the techniques can work for any compulsive behavior. Ling describes the disease model of addiction as a framework, perhaps even the most useful framework, but notes that it will “probably be revised or even completely discarded one day.” Ling desc...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Addictions Book Reviews Self-Help Substance Abuse Treatment Source Type: news