Breaking Addiction book cover

Breaking Addiction by Lance Dodes Summary

Breaking Addiction
Lance Dodes
3.88 (294 Reviews)
Psychology
Self-growth
Health
Overview
Key Takeaways
Author
FAQs

Overview of Breaking Addiction

Psychiatrist Lance Dodes revolutionizes addiction treatment with a groundbreaking psychological approach, challenging traditional 12-step programs. Named a Library Journal Best Book, this 7-step handbook reveals how addiction stems from feelings of helplessness - a perspective that's reshaping recovery across America.

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Key takeaways

1

Why We Destroy What We Love Most

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A successful physician loses everything to alcohol despite a seemingly perfect childhood. A corporate attorney turns to cocaine after a single professional mistake. A mother secretly abuses pills while hosting the perfect family gathering. What makes intelligent, capable people continue behaviors that devastate their lives? The answer isn't weakness, lack of willpower, or damaged brains-it's something far more human and understandable. Addiction operates as an emotional survival mechanism, a desperate attempt to reclaim power when life feels unbearably out of control. This understanding transforms addiction from a moral failing into a psychological puzzle we can actually solve.

2

The Rage Beneath the Ruins

3

Not Every Repetition Is an Addiction

4

The Moment Before the Storm

5

The Emotional Trap That Springs Shut

6

Breaking Free: Practical Strategies That Actually Work

7

When Love Lives with Addiction

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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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comments
254
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

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likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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201
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16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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483

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