Best Books On Addiction (2020)

Summary

In this informative video, Amber Hollingsworth introduces her top seven favorite books on addiction, offering a blend of science, personal stories, and humor. She categorizes the books to cater to different interests, from the scientifically inclined 'The Addicted Brain' by Mark Lewis to Johann Hari's 'Chasing the Scream,' which challenges conventional views on addiction. For those struggling with alcohol, 'This Naked Mind' by Annie Grace presents an alternative approach, while 'House on Stilts' by Paula Becker provides insight for family members of addicts. Hollingsworth also recommends recovery memoirs by Russell Brand, Tiffany Jenkins, and Laura Cleary, highlighting their use of humor as a tool for healing and self-reflection.

Takeaways

• 📚 Amber Hollingsworth recommends seven books on addiction, emphasizing their value in understanding the science and psychology behind it.
• 🧠 'The Addicted Brain' by Mark Lewis is a blend of neuroscience and personal story, offering a deep dive into the brain's addiction mechanisms.
• 🌐 'Chasing the Scream' by Johann Hari explores addiction from various perspectives, including historical, political, and personal viewpoints.
• 🍻 'This Naked Mind' by Annie Grace presents an alternative approach to alcoholism, focusing on the decision to stop drinking rather than feeling obligated to.
• 🏠 'House on Stilts' by Paula Becker provides insight into a parent's experience dealing with a child's addiction, highlighting the emotional and decision-making challenges.
• 😂 Russell Brand's 'Recovery' uses humor and sarcasm to discuss the 12 steps of recovery, offering a candid and philosophical take on addiction.
• 🌙 Tiffany Jenkins' 'High Achiever' shares her personal story of addiction with humor, making the difficult topic relatable and engaging.
• 🤪 Laura Cleary's 'Idiot' is a humorous and self-deprecating account of her recovery journey, showing the lighter side of overcoming addiction.
• 🔗 The books are categorized to help readers find one that suits their interests, whether they prefer scientific, personal, or humorous narratives.
• 🔗 Links to all recommended books, including titles and authors, will be provided in the video description for easy access.

Q & A

Who is the speaker in the video and what is the purpose of their channel?

The speaker is Amber Hollingsworth, and the purpose of her channel is to help people get their life back on track by teaching them the science and psychology of addiction.

What is the theme of the video?

The theme of the video is Amber's top seven favorite books on addiction, which she recommends for understanding and dealing with addiction.

How does Amber categorize the books she recommends?

Amber categorizes the books into 'nerdy recovery' books, books that offer a historical, political, and legal perspective on addiction, and books written by people in recovery with personal experiences and humor.

What makes 'The Addicted Brain' by Mark Lewis unique according to Amber?

'The Addicted Brain' is unique because it is written by a neuroscientist who is in recovery, offering a perfect balance of science and personal story.

Why does Amber consider 'Chasing the Scream' by Johann Hari a game-changer?

Amber considers 'Chasing the Scream' a game-changer because it explores addiction from multiple perspectives, including historical, political, legal, and personal viewpoints, which led her to rethink her philosophical values about addiction.

What is the main focus of 'This Naked Mind' by Annie Grace?

'This Naked Mind' focuses on helping people decide they don't want to drink anymore, which is a different approach from the traditional 12-step program.

Which book does Amber recommend for family members, particularly parents, who are worried about someone with an addiction?

Amber recommends 'House on Stilts' by Paula Becker for family members, as it provides a personal story of dealing with a child's addiction.

What common element do the last three books Amber mentions have in terms of the authors' approach to discussing addiction?

The last three books, written by people in recovery, share a common element of using humor, sarcasm, and personal storytelling to discuss their experiences with addiction.

How does Amber describe Russell Brand's book 'Recovery' in terms of its content and style?

Amber describes 'Recovery' by Russell Brand as a mix of humor, sarcasm, deep philosophical insights, and personal stories from his life, including his take on the 12 steps.

What is the title of the book Amber mentions that she stayed up all night listening to?

The book Amber stayed up all night listening to is 'High Achiever' by Tiffany Jenkins.

What makes 'Idiot' by Laura Cleary stand out according to Amber?

'Idiot' by Laura Cleary stands out due to the author's great sense of humor, deep insight, and self-deprecating storytelling style.