Overcoming Addictions : The Spiritual Solution (Chopra, Deepak. Perfect Health Library.)

Rating:
Summary: Where is the spiritual Solution?
Review: I can not recommend this book to someone that is trying to overcome an addiction. I could not find where the spiritual solution was in this book. Meditation, yoga...sure I would recommend these to anyone, but they are not a solution. What I did find in this book was the definition of what the author believed an addiction to be. There are some really good books out there on addiction and this is not one of them. In my opinion, look for books that give you information on how to get to your inner child. Books with information on expressing suppressed emotions.

Rating:
Summary: Where is the spiritual Solution?
Review: I found this book to be enormously helpful. Unlike several reveiwers who didn't find a step-by-step approach, "Overcoming Addictions" seemed very clear in terms of actions to take. I've used the techniques and viewpoints expressed in the book and found it THE most helpful and effective approach to overcoming addictions I've seen yet. The problem is that you have to actually read the book and get the idea, instead of looking for lists of what to do. He treats you as an adult with a sound inner core. His view is that an addicted person is essentially trying to find joy and a degree of enlightenment. He honors the reader by saying that "using" is simply a misguided but understandable attempt to find union with the already existing inner child, the wise and joyful person who already exists. He explains the karmic cycle in clear terms and advises how to insert images, memories and real experiences into the cycle of addiction to supplant the old habit with new, positive ways to cope with life. His is a message of hope. It is not a method which punishes, negates or brands you with a label of "addict" for the rest of your life. This book, if read mindfully, can clear a way to a far happier life. As to specific techniques, he provides tips for yoga poses, food programs, questions to ask yourself and other advice. He advises mediation and gives several specific ways to use meditation and breathing exercises to increase mindfullness. His is a message of hope and positive action based on an understanding, very human and highly validating view of the addicted person.

Rating:
Summary: Overcoming Destructive Addictions
Review: I would highly recommend this book, to any one who is going for the first time to overcome addictions. For me I have found out with this book that you can diminish greatly or completely eliminate addictions if you read it carefully, in detail and follow what Deepak Chopra is saying. Like I mentioned before it is the first step to recovery. I know that they are a lot of negative addictions out there like illegal drugs, alcohol, tobbacco, gambling and to much sex like a sex addict can also destoy lives. So if you really do want to take the first step to recovery I would recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Addiction Lite
Review: Read the recommendations on the cover carefully. They are ALL for the author, NOT the book. There are good reasons the book is not recommended. It is not based upon research or even extensive personal experience with addicts. It is simply some off the cuff remarks by a famous person who does not understand addiction. I agree spirituality is the cornerstone of recovery and joy is needed, but it is not as simple as the author implies. His emphasis on psychoanalytic understanding of addiction is very outdated and has not led effective treatment.