Craving for Ecstasy: How Our Passions Become Addictions and What We Can Do about Them

by Stanley Sunderwirth and Harvey B. Milkman

Book Overview

Alcohol, tobacco, sex, food. . .escape the pleasure trap and regain control of your life The chemistry and psychology of addiction are described with considerable insight. These authors know their stuff, and they make a compelling case. . . .All in all, Craving for Ecstasy is a challenging, well-considered analysis. ?Los Angeles Times Milkman and Sunderwirth offer a new and different perspective from which to understand a very complex and confusing pattern of human behavior. Their ideas are vibrant, provocative, stimulating, and written for a public that is demanding a better explanation. ?Howard J. Shaffer, director, Center for Addiction Studies, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School and The Cambridge Hospital Addictive behavior goes far beyond the compulsive use of drugs and alcohol. It is possible to become addicted to what may seem a harmless pleasure such as sex, jogging, watching television, or eating. In this powerful book'written in easy-to-understand language'two scientific researchers, Harvey Milkman and Stanley Sunderwirth, explain the biology, chemistry, and psychology of the universal desire for pleasure and escape. For example, they reveal how the brain produces mind-altering substances and what the skydiver has in common with the heroin addict. But, most importantly, with the use of a self-assessment test and an invaluable guide for treatment, the authors show what steps you can take to regain control of your life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787941328
• ISBN13: 9780787941321
• Release Date: July 1998
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.9" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

craving for ecstasy

A solid insight into the underlying chemical processes of addiction, the mechanics of addiction, and the reasons for certain types of addiction being "chosen". Of all the titles on addiction I have read I found this the most stimulating and it answers all the key questions I had in terms of the "why's" about my own addictions. Very Helpful

The cutting edge on addiction technology

This book is a must for anyone who wants to understand the physiological process involved in addiction and compulsive behavior. The biggest revelation of this book is that all addictions whether they are substance or behavior based such as gambling, are caused by natural neurochemicals in the brain. In an era when addiction is running rampant. When you can walk into any convenience store and acquire nicotine, alcohol, junk food, lottery tickets and pornography. Harvey Milkman and Stanley Sunderwirth discuss more positive ways of achieving a natural high such as involvement in the arts. It's about changing negative behaviors that destroy life into positive ones that add to life. Jon Schneider Producer A Drug Called Pornography