The Addictive Personality: Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior PDF
Preview The Addictive Personality: Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior
cover next page > title: The Addictive Personality : Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior author: Nakken, Craig. publisher: Hazelden Publishing isbn10 | asin: 1568381298 print isbn13: 9781568381299 ebook isbn13: 9780585195889 language: English subject Compulsive behavior, Addicts. publication date: 1996 lcc: RC533.N338 1996eb ddc: 616.86 subject: Compulsive behavior, Addicts. cover next page > < previous page page_iii next page > Page iii The Addictive Personality Understanding the Addictive Process and Compulsive Behavior By Craig Nakken with a foreword by Damian McElrath, Ph.D. Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Families, Building Communities HAZELDEN ® INFORMATION & EDUCATIONAL SERVICES < previous page page_iii next page > < previous page page_iv next page > Page iv Hazelden Center City, Minnesota 55012-0176 1-800-328-9000 (Toll Free U.S., Canada, and the Virgin Islands) 1-651-213-4000 (Outside the U.S. and Canada) 1-651-257-1331 (24-hour FAX) http://www.hazelden.org (World Wide Web site on Internet) © 1988, 1996 by Hazelden Foundation All rights reserved. First published 1988 (formerly titled The Addictive Personality: Roots, Rituals, and Recovery) Second edition 1996. Printed in the United States of America. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Nakken, Craig. The addictive personality : understanding the addictive process and compulsive behavior / by Craig Nakken. [2nd ed.] p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 1-56838-129-8 1. Compulsive behavior. 2. Addicts. 3. Title. RC533.N338 1996 616.86dc20 96-28248 CIP Book design by Will H. Powers Typesetting by Universal Press & Link Cover design by David Spohn Editor's note Hazelden offers a variety of information on chemical dependency and related areas. Our publications do not necessarily represent Hazelden's programs, nor do they officially speak for any Twelve Step organization. < previous page page_iv next page > < previous page page_v next page > Page v To my wife, Jane, and to Nature, both of whom have taught me much about myself, relationships, beauty, and love < previous page page_v next page > < previous page page_vii next page > Page vii CONTENTS Dedication v Foreword ix Introduction xi Part 1: Addiction As A Process 1 Types of Highs Trance Extending the Addiction Field Emotional Logic How Addicts Treat Themselves and Others When Addictive Relationships Are Formed Seductiveness in Addiction Objects and Events That Become Addicting Part 2: Stages of Addiction 19 Stage One: Internal Change How It Begins Natural Relationships The Addictive Cycle The Addictive Personality Development of the Addict When Recovery Takes Place Stage Two: Lifestyle Change The Addict's Behavior Addictive Rituals Inner Struggle People Problems How Others React to the Addict Increasing the Addictive Process Spiritual Emptiness < previous page page_vii next page > < previous page page_viii next page > Page viii Stage Three: Life Breakdown Acting Out Breaks Down Addictive Logic Breaks Down Coping Breaks Down Interacting Breaks Down The Addict: Wanting To Be Alone The Self: Not Wanting To Be Alone Environmental Problems Physical Signs Of Breaking Down Thoughts Of Suicide Stuck In Stage Three Part 3: The Why Of Recovery 65 Renewal The Drive For Connection The Pleasure-Centered Person The Power-Centered Person The Meaning-Centered Person Resistance Getting To Meaning Part 4: Family And Addiction 105 Having Parents Who Suffer Addictions Growing Up In An Abusive Family Growing Up In A Neglectful Family Shaming Families Inconsistent Families Death Of A Family Member Conclusion Index 121 About The Author 131 < previous page page_viii next page > < previous page page_ix next page > Page ix FOREWORD First published in February 1988, The Addictive Personality has reached a wide audience. It is not difficult to uncover the reason for the popularity of this work. Addiction is a very powerful affliction, and this compact volume, written in an attractive style and comprehensive manner, provides a very powerful and poignant description of the process, its stages and consequences. The unanimous testimony and verdict of recovering people is that The Addictive Personality portrays an eerie déjà vu picture of their personal struggle with their addictive selves, the destruction of their relationships, the resulting experience of terrible isolation, and their descent into despair and hopelessness. The book serves as an exposé of the lives of all addicts who have moved from the "land of the living" to the surreal land of objects. Nakken's description of the three stages of the addictive process leading to the emergence of the addictive personality resonates with the experiences of those who have been ensnared by this "cunning, baffling, and powerful" illness. Nakken's knowledge and experience in dealing with the victims of addiction over the years sets the book apart from dry scientific analyses of addiction and pop explanations that promise magical elixirs from an illness that is often too easily diagnosed. I am honored to have been asked to write the foreword to this second edition. I have a great affection for Nakken as a friend of many years and a warm reverence for his book, < previous page page_ix next page > < previous page page_x next page > Page x which has proven a valuable source of knowledge and wisdom for myself and the audiences before whom I have lectured over the past decade on the topic of chemical dependency. What is particularly significant about this work is that the process of addiction and recovery can be viewed as the penultimate paradigm of the core of spiritualityit represents what spirituality is all about. The dying-rising metaphor played out in the drama of the struggle between the addictive and real selves is at the heart of meaningful spirituality. In that real struggle the author has caught and depicted what has been one of the most important and enduring themes in the history of Western thoughtthe dialectic between the two selves. Recovering addicts and their spiritual journeys can tell and teach us much. DAMIAN MCELRATH, PH.D. < previous page page_x next page >
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