In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

Close Encounters with Addiction

De: Gabor Maté MD

Narrado por: Daniel Maté

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the author of When the Body Says No and The Myth of Normal—The definitive book for understanding the roots and behaviours of addiction.

Dr. Gabor Maté is one of the world’s most revered thinkers on the psychology of addiction. His radical findings—based on decades of work with patients challenged by catastrophic drug addiction and mental illness—has helped reframe how we view all human development. In this award-winning modern classic, through first-person accounts, riveting case studies, pioneering research and compassionate argument, Maté takes a panoramic yet highly intimate and compassionate look at this widespread and perplexing human ailment, whether it be addiction to alcohol, drugs, sex, money or anything self-destructive. He presents it not as a discrete phenomenon confined to a weak-willed few, but as a continuum that runs through (and even underpins) our society—not as a medical ‘condition’, but rather the result of a complex interplay of personal history, emotional development and brain chemistry.

Distilling cutting-edge research from around the world, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts avoids glib self-help remedies, instead promoting self-understanding as the first key to healing and wellness. Blending personal stories and science with positive solutions, and written in spellbinding prose, it is a must-read that will change how you see yourself, others and the world.

Has he visited Seattle, Portland or SF since this writing?

Great understanding of the nature of addiction. However, far too political and after tests of his remedy of decriminalizing drugs, that doesn’t seem to be the answer. I would enjoy his updated views.

A story that needed to be written

I believe Dr. Mate has valuable experience working with the populations at the Portland hotel. I am grateful he wrote this book.

Concepts that stood out to me. “Purity and impurity depend on oneself; no one can purify another.”

When working with people experiencing substance use, a fearless moral inventory is helpful not only with that person but also the ones trying to help them.

A self compassionate view has us remembering that the substance most likely served some sort of purpose for that person at some point. Maybe it helped alleviate some anxiety, depression, or trauma. I enjoyed the studies mentioned about the self compassionate clinician being more effective than the overbearing or “intervention style.”

This is an incredible peace of work!

I loved the stories and especially the personal examples of the author. highly recommend!

Knowledge about addiction

This is a book from a renowned man about his own addiction and everyone else’s. Truths and hope for the future for those with addictions from an authority I with one. Addiction from the inside out!

Great help

Great help to understand link between trauma and addiction and the need for understanding rather than violence