IN THE REALM OF HUNGRY GHOSTS: Close Encounters With Addiction

This is the best book I’ve come across on addiction. It explains how it is a societal problem where the addicts are further ostracised by society to avoid blame & thereby worsening their condition. It provides such a refreshing and enlightening perspective on addiction that instills empathy in your hearts for people suffering from it and also sheds light on the amount of suffering that exists in society.

This book changed my belief about the addiction. As being a partner of a recovering drug addict, I picked up this book to understand them. Now I even care more about them and much more compassionate towards all the person who are fighting this disease, the battle with themselves.

A great informative content, to be applied in life - self & others'. Though a lot is pointed on childhood & early environment as a reason for addiction, it must be carefully understood as not a blame on parents or others. Epigenetic (Environment) is genes expressed & Genes are environment impressed. They are to be matched & balanced. History cannot be Limited to childhood & "unknown, Unconscious" interactions are not yet known / measured - so we call them "Random". Quintessential point is to learn "detachment" & be the Author of one's life using Ownership. That is, Ownership must not lead us (that will be selfishness & craving for the fruit of our actions). We are Authors so that We happens to Life than Life happening to us. Dr. Mate has a big Heart (ofcourse not cardiomegaly:)). Recommend read for all, to know reality of life - as, all are in one way or other an addict.

Real eye opener, helped me alot in recognizing my addiction and its causes. You will not regret reading this compassionate work toward humanity.

The psychology behind the process of why people fall prey to addiction and how to care for them without judging their drug habits is well portrayed by Dr Gabor ..great book

A deep insight into the world of addicts and the world s dysfunctional response to the problem. Practical solutions too.

The book with very new causal relationships and profound arguments for addictive behavior of human. Thanks to Dr. Gabor Mate for his unparalleled compassionate perspective for looking at the issue.

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Gabor Maté é um médico que trabalhou com diversos dependentes químicos no seu hospital em Vancouver e associou traumas de infância com o uso de drogas proibitivas. As informações contidas no livro são baseadas em 3 fontes: seu conhecimento próprio, suas entrevistas com pacientes e, principalmente, publicações e pesquisas referenciadas ao longo da obra. Porém o livro não quer solucionar o problema dos dependentes de drogas, mas sim explicar que a origem de qualquer vício – seja de drogas, jogos, apostas, bebidas, cigarro, sexo, compras, etc – tem uma dor e um trauma associados. O que diferencia os tipos de vícios entre si está na gravidade do trauma e nas alternativas do indivíduo. Então o que ele ousa fazer (e que faz sentido) é aproximar pessoas de todos os vícios com uma mesma explicação. Uma leitura útil para qualquer pessoa que tenho curiosidade no assunto, ou que tenha algum conhecido que passe por alguma dificuldade maior. O livro contém principalmente 3 tópicos: • Efeitos fisiológicos do vício: sistemas de recompensas do cérebro, hormônios, sintomas de "craving" • Políticas de Guerra às Drogas: como são as políticas na maioria dos países sobre esse assunto tão delicado, e como essas políticas podem sem revisadas • Como combater o vício: ajuda especializada, apoio da família e amigos, auto-conhecimento, meditação. E vale mencionar que, depois do autor definir o vício, temos um parágrafo que explica a diferença entre um vício e uma paixão: "Vício é centrífugo: drena energia de você, criando um vácuo de inércia. A paixão energiza você e enriquece os seus relacionamentos. Concede força aos outros, enquanto traz poder para você. Enquanto a paixão cria, o vício consome."

Went and saw Gabor Mate live in Sydney and such an interesting knowledgeable man. I bought this for my daughter who lost her husband suddenly in July 2023

Helped me move on from a 20 year ganja smoking addiction by sharing stories I could relate to deeply and better understand my behaviour and thinking. Empowering for those in addiction and educational for the people who love them. Gabor Máte is an angel and I’ll be forever grateful to him.

薬物を始めとした依存症 闇は深く出口の見えないトンネルの様 それを治そうと言うよりは、治っても治らなくても 支えるというスタイルがいいのかもしれないが、 医療者としては疲弊しそう

Nicht leicht zu lesen aber sehr informativ