Unhooked

By: Susan Shapiro, Dr. Frederick Woolverton

Narrated by: Rob Davis

Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

We're all addicted to something - but when the crutch gets in the way of living a happy and productive life, it must stop. Over the last 25 years, renowned addiction therapist Dr. Fred Woolverton has used his dynamic, empathetic approach to help thousands of addicts achieve long-term recovery - including himself and his coauthor Susan Shapiro, whom he helped quit smoking and drinking and find success in both love and her career. Dr. Woolverton views the external habit as less important than the chaos and fear underlying the addiction, which we use to regulate our feelings. The solution, he has found, is easier than we think.

Unhooked: How to Quit Anything is a smart, readable, and actionable guide to conquering any addictive habit. Using real patient examples as well as research and his own experience, Dr. Woolverton shows us how to thrive without self-medicating. His approach is an unorthodox blend of straightforward changes to behavior and open and honest conversation with another person. His specific instructions do not require an expensive therapist, rehab, 12-step program, or a higher power (but he does make readers aware of those viable options). Let Dr. Woolverton help you kick your addiction and move on with your life today!

©2012 Dr. Frederick Woolverton and Susan Shapiro (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Sheds new light on the psyche of addiction

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Rob Davis rockets along at breakneck speed, as if he has to impart as much information as quickly as possible. Fortunately I am already a great fan of audiobooks so his snappy delivery didn't put me off the medium of audio.

However, in this case I would recommend a hard copy or Kindle as well as or instead of the audiobook. There is a great deal to absorb, lists to make and one needs to refer back for clarification and reinforcement. This is no drive-by reading.

Any additional comments?

Yes, I'm an addict - cigarettes being my poison of choice - for over 40 years. And, yes, I have tried to kick it using books, therapy, acupuncture, programs, medication and nicotine replacement.

From past experience, the resounding message that usually comes through is that with some assistance and self-discipline, addiction can be beaten - no problem. Some methods are even arrogant enough to claim that they can make the process relatively easy and quote excellent success rates. Many never follow up after completion of their programs, so how do they know how good they really are? It's not easy, hence permanent success rates are statistically fairly disappointing. Addiction in itself is not the problem - it is the manifestation of the problem.

Finally a book which tells it like it is! Not only do Fred Woolverton and Susan Shapiro go into the underlying causes of addiction, but warn us up-front that we will suffer through the process - for as long as a year. If you are not prepared for a difficult road, don't go past the first chapter, or don't buy the book. Addiction is the accumulation of years of deep underlying sadness, pain, feeling unworthy or unloved, not a self contained bubble of indulgent pleasure. There is a lot to unravel and heal - it has to take time.

By allowing ourselves to being open and prepared to gain an understanding of how and why our addictions have come to be, they explain how to approach and eventually free ourselves of the fear of not needing the perceived but ultimately unsatisfying comfort that addictions provide. Far from protecting us, they explain how isolating and destructive the "smokescreen" of addiction is.

For such a short book, they manage to touch on a wide spectrum of issues, leaving it to us, the readers, to explore independently in detail whichever topic or thread is most pertinent to us. Again, I believe that a wise therapist will succinctly let us know what is "out there", without boring us by belaboring their preferences.

There are always negative reviews, which is understandable. Unorthodox methods do not resonate for everyone, while others are hoping for another quick fix. Fred often quotes his personal issues and frequently sings his own praises. But I believe that any therapist worth his/her fee should have first hand experience coupled with academic credentials to augment his/her effectiveness.

Apparently the sign of a good therapist is someone who makes us uncomfortable, to really force us to deal with our issues, not floating on air at the end of each session. Fred and Susan are real people who have done the time and they want us to benefit from their struggles.

Read and/or listen to this book more than once with an open mind and commitment.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A broad definition of "addiction"

As defined by the book, "addictions" are the use of any substance or activity that allows the user to escape from real life. Through a series of in-depth case studies, Dr. Woolverton defines addictions and gives concrete suggestions about how to improve one's overall quality of life by addressing these problems. Dr. Woolverton's frank style is reassuring and hopeful, and also quite personal. After listening to this title, I have more confidence to address my own addictive issues. I'd recommend this book to someone who is wondering about his/her own possible addictions and who wants straightforward insight about where and how to begin addressing the concerns. Don't look for a quick fix for your "fix" here, however – there isn't any magic. There is plenty of support, advice and reassurance for those thinking of beginning the journey to being addiction-free.

Downsides: much of the specific advice is repetitive. Also, I thought the ending was a little depressing after so many success stories, uplifting information and useful suggestions found throughout the rest of the book. Some readers may also note the great deal of personal information provided by the author. This might prove distasteful to those who would prefer a more clinical or impersonal approach.

The performance was adequate: neither particularly remarkable, but certainly not annoying or distracting in any way.

In sum, check out this title if you are looking for a point to start addressing your addiction(s) with honesty and clarity. I found it a compelling, and ultimately reassuring aid to facing my own issues. This book helped me recognize that I have more resources and support if I choose to seek them, and that success is indeed a potential outcome.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A Great Read. Five Stars!!!

I was advised to read a self help book by my psycology professor, bot thinking anything of it, I had decided to read how to get Unhooked from anything. Not that I was an addict or abused anything to my knowledge; Dr. Frederick Woolverton opened my eyes to the difficulty it is for addicts to not only admit to having a problem, but to also stay clean. I completely recomend this book, I have clearly bought it here in audible and I will now be buying a physical copy.

Crazy fast reading/challenging to listen

This was full of greAt ideas, but the reading dipped was distracting at best, and difficult to take in the material.

Great. Super recommended

Great for those who are curious about humans' psyque. It helps both those who are struggling with any bad habit and those who treat people with any sort of addiction

Interesting mix of stories and practical advice

What made the experience of listening to Unhooked the most enjoyable?

The stories and experiences of Dr. Frederick Woolverton made the book most enjoyable. I loved hearing him talk honestly about how he worked with clients. I particularly enjoyed hearing his open and honest accounts of the lessons he learnt as he matured in his practice. The experiences of indiviudal clients were also fascinating to listen to from my perspectice as a psychology student. They really highlighted the what is common amongst recovering addicts as well as the need to adapt to individual circumstances and needs.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Unfortunately this sounded like a dry read of a text book. It would have been much better if the narrator had added some life as he was reading. I prefer it when the author reads their own books. There is an honesty and a depth of emotion, knowledge and experience which was missing in the way this book was narrated.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No