The Abstinence Myth cover art

The Abstinence Myth

A New Approach for Overcoming Addiction Without Shame, Judgment, or Rules

Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £6.99

Buy Now for £6.99

About this listen

Breaking free of outdated explanations and rigid "rules" for recovery, The Abstinence Myth offers a hopeful, research-based framework for transformation by an addiction expert and renowned TEDx speaker who overcame his own addiction and has guided hundreds of clients into lives of joy and purpose.

In this simple yet radical new book, Adi Jaffe, PhD, draws on his own life experience, cutting-edge research, and work with hundreds of clients and families to offer a new perspective on addiction and a new pathway out of its grasp.

The Abstinence Myth introduces the IGNTD recovery method, including:

  • Details of Adi's dramatic and inspiring personal story
  • The mythology of addiction and how it gets in our way with spiritual, biological, psychological, and environmental assumptions that are, in fact, only true some of the time for some people
  • Why the concept of "abstinence" is often a barrier to change and is not necessary for everyone for all time
  • Important research that will shift your thinking, sense of hope, and success
  • Why shame can keep holding you back—and finding the way out
  • An explanation of the three IGNTD principles and the nine steps to personalize your unique recovery path

It's time to throw out the "rulebook".

You can overcome the hopelessness, the doubt, and move forward. You can create a life you're proud of. Whether you're seeking help for yourself, a loved one, or anyone you might be guiding through a personal transformation, The Abstinence Myth will change lives.

©2020 Adi Jaffe (P)2022 Adi Jaffe
Addiction & Recovery Alcoholism Substance abuse Mythology Inspiring Health
All stars
Most relevant
Different people have different perspectives on addiction and how to move on from it. This book helps to contrast and contextualise different ways to view the causes of addiction: a response to a stressful society, a spiritual void, biological imbalance, childhood trauma. In turn these offer different ways to approach addiction, which may well offer other, more effective paths to some people than, say, assuming a traditional 12 step approach. Further, the author highlights that rather than making the journey all about abstinence (which he highlights with data isn't working), addiction is a response to a very personal set of circumstances, and it is by addressing those circumstances that the individual can make a transformational change in their lives that's a much more comprehensive and effective approach to recovery. In other words, he advocates for tackling the individual cause, not the maladaptive response. I find this far more helpful and motivational and realistic, making the journey one of accepting oneself and means that recovery is oriented around improving wholesome well-being, rather than a daunting and miserable mountain of shame to be scaled.

Offers alternative ways to view and move on from addiction

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.