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by Michael Gougis (Author)
The real-life stories of 15 people who struggled with food, alcohol, sex and chemical dependencies, and the moment in their lives that they started to break their addictions and recover. The stories are relevant to anyone who feels that something in their lives is not working, who feels trapped, or feels as though they are in a cycle that prevents them from reaching self-fulfilment or satisfaction. The stories candidly illustrate how, step by step, a person's life becomes out of control, how people are incapable of seeing what is wrong, and what it takes to start making improvements. And these stories show how, regardless of the particular dependency, the underlying issues, fears and traumas are universal in the human experience.
An interview with an expert from the Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction talks about the science behind the thought processes that lead to dependencies of all types, and how treatments work. An essay adapted from the National Institutes of Health discusses the changes in brain chemistry and function that take place during long-term abuse of chemicals and obsessive behaviors. And a foreword by renowned author and therapist Tina Tessina talks about how difficult it is for anyone to honestly and accurately self-assess their own life, even when doing so would enrich their life - or even save it. These compelling stories will challenge the reader to look deeply into the mirror and ask hard questions about themselves. Hopefully, everyone who does so will be empowered to improve their lives and to turn away from beliefs and behaviors that hold them back.
