IRB Media Summary of Susan Shapiro & Frederick Woolverton's Unhooked

Annotation

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview: #1 An addiction is a compulsive reliance on any substance or activity that harms or deters your ability to function in a major area of your life such as work, school, family, social, and intimate relationships. The substance is used to regulate emotional states that would otherwise feel unbearable if you did not use it.#2 The first step to recovery is to wake up emotionally and examine yourself and your daily rituals in a new way. You can overuse or abuse almost anything. An addiction is something that provides an escape, takes you out of yourself, and allows you to get further away from the painful feelings and emotions we would all prefer to avoid.#3 The list is endless, and it is common for people to be addicted to several things at the same time. These include alcohol, prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, illegal drugs, pornography, gambling, food, exercise, adventure sports, food and drinks that contain caffeine and other chemicals, technology, shopping, working, sex, and tattoos and body piercing.#4 It can be difficult to tell whether your own habit is healthy, okay in moderation, or a self-destructive addiction that will only get worse. To find out, answer yes or no to the following forty questions. If the answer is maybe or sometimes, count that as a yes.