Dodes (psychiatry, Harvard Medical School) argues that human emotions, not genetics or disease, is the central driver of addictive behavior. He presents a self-help guide that uses descriptions of case studies to demonstrate his central thesis that addictive behavior is primarily about gaining a (false) sense of empowerment over feelings of helplessness. It is rage at this helplessness that drives addiction. Addiction, therefore, is a displacement for other actions that could address feelings of helplessness. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Author Biography
Lance Dodes, M.D., a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, where he is a member of the Division on Addictions. He is also the Director of the Boston Center for Problem Gambling. He has served as the director of the alcoholism and substance abuse treatment unit of Harvard's McLean Hospital, and as the director of the alcoholism unit at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (now part of Massachusetts General Hospital). He is also on the faculty of the Boston Psychoanalytic Institute, where he teaches courses in compulsive and addictive behavior. Dodes's work has been published in many professional journals.