The best 29 Overcoming Addiction books

Overcoming addiction is a challenging yet crucial journey for those affected by it. Gaining knowledge and understanding about addiction can empower individuals to take control of their lives and find a path to recovery. Our curated list of books is designed to support you in this endeavor.

These books offer various perspectives and approaches to help you combat addiction and achieve lasting change. From understanding the root causes to learning coping strategies, this list has got you covered. So, are you ready to take that first step towards a healthier, addiction-free life?
The best 29 Overcoming Addiction books
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1
Overcoming Addiction Books: Affluenza by John de Graaf, David Wann and Thomas H. Naylor

Affluenza

John de Graaf, David Wann and Thomas H. Naylor
How Overconsumption is Killing Us – and How to Fight Back
4.6 (29 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Affluenza about?

This book is about our serious addiction to consumption: affluenza. Since the Industrial Revolution, we’ve become addicted to shopping, believing we can buy happiness. Affluenza affects us and our society like a disease, and this book offers advice on how we can immunize ourselves against it.

Who should read Affluenza?

  • Anyone interested in sociology
  • Anyone interested in media
  • Anyone interested in curing our addiction to consumption

2
Overcoming Addiction Books: The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr

The Easy Way to Stop Smoking

Allen Carr
Join the Millions Who Have Become Non-Smokers Using Allen Carr's Easyway Method
4.1 (208 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Easy Way to Stop Smoking about?

The Easy Way to Stop Smoking (1985, 2011) isn’t just a book about giving up cigarettes; it aims to put smoking in a completely new light. Smoking is no habit and nicotine no hard drug; smoking is an addiction, but one that can be overcome with the right mindset. These blinks outline the necessary steps and address those questions that’ll arise on your journey to a life without cigarettes.

Who should read The Easy Way to Stop Smoking?

  • Smokers struggling to quit
  • People interested in the case for quitting
  • Those who want to learn why willpower alone won’t help you quit

3
Overcoming Addiction Books: Beat Sugar Addiction Now! by Jacob Teitelbaum and Chrystle Fiedler

Beat Sugar Addiction Now!

Jacob Teitelbaum and Chrystle Fiedler
The Cutting-Edge Program That Cures Your Type of Sugar Addiction and Puts You on the Road to Feeling Great – and Losing Weight!
3.7 (141 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Beat Sugar Addiction Now! about?

Sugar addiction is a very common affliction these days, and one that carries serious health risks – but it can be overcome. Beat Sugar Addiction Now! (2010) explains the four different kinds of sugar addiction, as well as their root causes, associated health implications and the steps you can take to beat them.

Who should read Beat Sugar Addiction Now!?

  • Anyone who feels powerless against their sweet tooth
  • People looking to lead a healthier lifestyle
  • Women who get irritable and have sugar cravings during their periods

4
Overcoming Addiction Books: Irresistible by Adam Alter

Irresistible

Adam Alter
The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked
4.2 (165 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Irresistible about?

Irresistible (2017) shows how dangerously dependent we’ve become on the smartphones, tablets, video games and social platforms that we’ve surrounded ourselves with. Is our attachment to these devices strictly related to the convenience they provide? Or have we actually grown addicted to the psychological rewards they offer?

Who should read Irresistible?

  • Psychology students
  • Technology addicts
  • Anyone looking to be more productive

5
Overcoming Addiction Books: The Distraction Addiction by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang

The Distraction Addiction

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
Getting the Information You Need and the Communication You Want, Without Enraging Your Family, Annoying Your Colleagues and Destroying Your Soul.
4.0 (119 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Distraction Addiction about?

Alex Soojung-Kim Pang’s The Distraction Addiction (2013) takes a look at attention in today’s distraction-riddled society and asks how we can stay connected and productive. Drawing on fascinating new research by neuroscientists and psychologists, as well as traditional Buddhist thought, Pang offers hands-on advice on how to stay focused and overcome our internet addictions in a new digital age.

Who should read The Distraction Addiction?

  • Parents with internet-addicted children
  • Anyone who feels they couldn’t do without the internet for a day
  • The seriously distracted looking for tips to boost their attention

6
Overcoming Addiction Books: Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport

Digital Minimalism

Cal Newport
Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
4.5 (856 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Digital Minimalism about?

Digital Minimalism (2018) is a practical guide to navigating today’s media landscape, where multiple billion-dollar companies are out to keep your eyes as glued to their platforms as possible. Fortunately, there is growing skepticism surrounding new technology and digital media. People are eager to regain their autonomy and, while they’re at it, live more satisfying and healthy lives. With these tools and methods, you too can regain the focus and productivity that comes from stepping back from new technology.

Who should read Digital Minimalism?

  • Anyone feeling overwhelmed with social media
  • People looking for tips to boost productivity
  • News junkies in need of a detox

7
Overcoming Addiction Books: Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle

Love Warrior

Glennon Doyle
A Memoir
4.1 (90 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Love Warrior about?

Love Warrior (2017) by Glennon Doyle is a memoir that recounts how one woman battled through addiction, disordered eating, and betrayal by confronting and ultimately owning her vulnerabilities. More than that, it’s a meditation on what pain has to teach us, and how, by embracing our own failings, we can live as our most authentic selves.

Who should read Love Warrior?

  • Women who try not to take up too much space
  • Mothers struggling to reconnect with their own identities
  • Anyone who’s ever hit rock bottom and wanted to get back up

8
Overcoming Addiction Books: Hooked by Michael Moss

Hooked

Michael Moss
Food, Free Will, and How the Food Giants Exploit Our Addictions
4.2 (292 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Hooked about?

Hooked (2021) explores our complex relationship with processed food. It explains why certain foods leave us wanting more, and reveals how our brain chemistry and our evolutionary biology are exploited by the fast-food industry.

Who should read Hooked?

  • Parents wanting to give their children a healthy start
  • Anyone struggling to lose weight
  • Psychology buffs looking for fresh insights

9
Overcoming Addiction Books: The Addiction Inoculation by Jessica Lahey

The Addiction Inoculation

Jessica Lahey
Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence
4.2 (148 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Addiction Inoculation about?

The Addiction Inoculation (2021) is a parents’ guide to raising kids who have the knowledge, support, and self-confidence necessary to steer clear of the twin dangers of alcohol and drug use. From peer pressure to self-efficacy, it examines the risks kids need to avoid, and the defenses they need to acquire, in order to live happy, healthy, and substance-free lives.

Who should read The Addiction Inoculation?

  • Parents who want to raise drink- and drug-free kids
  • Teachers interested in the psychology of addiction

10
Overcoming Addiction Books: Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke

Dopamine Nation

Anna Lembke
Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
4.5 (635 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Dopamine Nation about?

Dopamine Nation (2021) explores the connection between pleasure and pain. Our modern world is filled with more dopamine-inducing stimuli than ever – including everything from drugs and sex to smartphones and shopping. Citing years of clinical experience and patients’ stories, this book helps to understand addiction and explains how to achieve a healthy balance in our lives. 

Who should read Dopamine Nation?

  • People struggling to break bad habits
  • Family members of loved ones struggling with addiction
  • Anyone who can’t seem to put down their phone

11
Overcoming Addiction Books: Codependent No More by Melody Beattie

Codependent No More

Melody Beattie
How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself
4.4 (398 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Codependent No More about?

Codependent No More (1986) is a modern classic that sheds light on codependent relationships. It’s filled with helpful insights into codependency and outlines some basic tools that people can use to recover.

Who should read Codependent No More?

  • People who are compulsive caretakers
  • Those attracted to dysfunctional relationships
  • Anyone affected by a loved one’s drinking or substance abuse

12
Overcoming Addiction Books: Elizabeth Taylor by Kate Andersen Brower

Elizabeth Taylor

Kate Andersen Brower
The Grit and Glamour of an Icon
4.2 (166 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Elizabeth Taylor about?

Elizabeth Taylor (2022) is an enthralling authorized biography of one of Hollywood's most famous stars. This fascinating and complete portrait of the legend chronicles her life of fame, tragedy, love, and loss.

Who should read Elizabeth Taylor?

  • Elizabeth Taylor devotees
  • Classic Hollywood aficionados
  • Romance fans

13
Overcoming Addiction Books: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by Matthew Perry

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

Matthew Perry
A Memoir
4.5 (499 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing about?

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing (2022) is the intimate memoir of critically acclaimed actor Matthew Perry. From his troubled childhood to his meteoric rise to fame in the hit sitcom Friends to his lifelong struggle with substance abuse and addiction, Perry holds nothing back as he reveals his life, thoughts, and soul.

Who should read Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing?

  • Friends fans looking for a deeper insight into one of the show's strongest comedic voices
  • People curious about the darker side of celebrity lives
  • Anyone struggling with addiction

14
Overcoming Addiction Books: Your Brain on Porn by Gary Wilson

Your Brain on Porn

Gary Wilson
Internet Pornography and the Emerging Science of Addiction
4.3 (263 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Your Brain on Porn about?

Your Brain on Porn (2014) examines the explosion of internet pornography addiction. In the age of high-speed internet, porn is more widespread than ever. And although excessive porn consumption can negatively affect mental health and sexual function, the damage can be reversed. 

Who should read Your Brain on Porn?

  • Anyone who thinks they might be suffering from porn addiction
  • Students of psychology or medicine
  • Internet connoisseurs seeking to understand the effects of excessive porn consumption

15
Overcoming Addiction Books: Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

Kitchen Confidential

Anthony Bourdain
Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly
4.3 (138 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Kitchen Confidential about?

Kitchen Confidential (2000) gives us an insight into life in the restaurant business. Full of larger-than-life tales about Anthony Bourdain’s life of sex and drugs and haute cuisine, it gives us a no-holds-barred taste of what goes on behind the kitchen door.

Who should read Kitchen Confidential?

  • Fans of Anthony Bourdain
  • Wannabe pro chefs
  • Home cooks looking for hints and tips from a professional

16
Overcoming Addiction Books: This Naked Mind by Annie Grace

This Naked Mind

Annie Grace
Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life
4.2 (167 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's This Naked Mind about?

This Naked Mind (2015) challenges our culture's love affair with alcohol. It offers matter-of-fact, actionable insights that help free drinkers from its perceived hold.

Who should read This Naked Mind?

  • Party animals who want a permanent break
  • Mindful drinkers seeking balance
  • Curious cats who question cultural norms

17
Overcoming Addiction Books: Drama Free by Nedra Glover Tawwab

Drama Free

Nedra Glover Tawwab
A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationships
4.3 (83 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Drama Free about?

Drama Free (2023) is a concise and thoughtful guide to navigating the negatives of one of the most fundamental and unavoidable aspects of our lives: family. Covering a wide range of topics including emotionally absent parents, codependent siblings, substance abuse, and many more, it offers advice on recognizing the patterns of a dysfunctional family, healing from the past, and growing into the full human being you deserve to be.

Who should read Drama Free?

  • Adult children or siblings looking to untangle their current family relationships
  • Emotionally troubled individuals who are prepared to analyze their childhood
  • Anyone who tenses up when a family member calls

18
Overcoming Addiction Books: Alcoholics Anonymous by AAWS

Alcoholics Anonymous

AAWS
4.4 (163 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Alcoholics Anonymous about?

Alcoholics Anonymous (1939) or as it is often known, the Big Book, the Basic Text for Alcoholics Anonymous was first published in 1939 and is now on its fourth edition (2001) and its 31st printing. It’s the basic text for Alcoholics Anonymous and has helped countless alcoholics recover. It details a method to beat alcoholism and provides guidance to alcoholics, their families, and their employers. It also includes personal stories of former alcoholics to inspire those seeking recovery.

Who should read Alcoholics Anonymous?

  • Anyone who has problems controlling alcohol in their lives
  • Spouses and families of those who have an alcohol control problem
  • Employers who are concerned about an employee with an alcohol control problem

19
Overcoming Addiction Books: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

Gabor Maté
Close Encounters with Addiction
4.5 (75 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts about?

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts (2008) is a heartful exploration of the complex condition known as addiction. It tells the real-life stories of addicts, who are so often denied the space to do so, alongside science-based analyses of why and how people get addicted. Importantly, it also challenges us to think of the ways, obvious or not, in which we too are addicts – and what we can do to heal ourselves.

Who should read In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts?

  • People with addiction, who know someone with addiction, or who work with addiction
  • Pop-science “junkies”
  • Social justice advocates and anyone opposed to the War on Drugs

20
Overcoming Addiction Books: The Porn Trap by Wendy Maltz & Larry Maltz

The Porn Trap

Wendy Maltz & Larry Maltz
The Essential Guide to Overcoming Problems Caused by Pornography
4.1 (196 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Porn Trap about?

The Porn Trap (2010) is your guide to understanding the powerful grasp that porn can have on people’s lives, and how to escape it. Drawing from real cases, it outlines what porn addiction is and the real consequences it has had. Then it provides six steps for those suffering from addiction to take back control of their lives.

Who should read The Porn Trap?

  • People struggling with their relationship with porn
  • Anyone who suspects their partner has a porn addiction
  • Councilors, therapists and supporters for people with porn addictions

21
Overcoming Addiction Books: Breaking the Cycle by George N. Collins with Andrew Adleman

Breaking the Cycle

George N. Collins with Andrew Adleman
Free Yourself from Sex Addiction, Porn Obsession, and Shame
4.3 (39 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Breaking the Cycle about?

Breaking the Cycle (2011) outlines a series of tried and tested exercises that widen the gap between sex addicts and their compulsive sexual behaviors. Sticking to these techniques builds confidence in sex addicts to move on from their obsession toward a richer life that prioritizes their wellbeing and relationships.

Who should read Breaking the Cycle?

  • People trying to overcome sex and porn addiction
  • People trying to understand the nature of sex addiction
  • Counselors or anyone trying to help a sex addict

22
Overcoming Addiction Books: Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Emotional Eating by Allen Carr

Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Emotional Eating

Allen Carr
Set Yourself Free from Binge-Eating and Comfort-Eating
4.1 (219 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Emotional Eating about?

Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Emotional Eating (2019) guides compulsive eaters past the mental traps that lead to overindulgence. It applies the "Easyway" method which has already helped millions quit smoking and expands on it to uncover the psychological roots of our unhealthy impulses, freeing us to rediscover balanced eating habits.

Who should read Allen Carr's Easy Way to Quit Emotional Eating?

  • Emotional eaters looking to quit
  • Individuals skeptical about willpower-based methods
  • Anyone looking to adopt healthier eating habits

23
Overcoming Addiction Books: Worthy of Her Trust by Stephen Arterburn & Jason B. Martinkus

Worthy of Her Trust

Stephen Arterburn & Jason B. Martinkus
What You Need to Do to Rebuild Sexual Integrity and Win Her Back
3.2 (148 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Worthy of Her Trust about?

Worth of Her Trust (2014) is a guide for men looking to restore trust in a marriage damaged by infidelity. With exercises and tools based on counseling techniques, it offers practical advice for rebuilding connection and intimacy – and hope that, with sincere effort, even the most difficult challenges can be overcome.

Who should read Worthy of Her Trust?

  • Men whose relationships with their wives have broken down
  • Men seeking to understand how they can rebuild trust after infidelity
  • Men looking to proactively sidestep marital problems

24
Overcoming Addiction Books: Quit Like a Woman by Holly Whitaker

Quit Like a Woman

Holly Whitaker
The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed with Alcohol
3.9 (28 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Quit Like a Woman about?

Quit Like a Woman (2019) encourages women to reconsider their relationship with alcohol, uncovering the misogynist underpinnings of how alcohol is packaged and marketed to women and proposing a new, feminist road map to sobriety. Through personal anecdotes, insights, and research, the narrative provides a road map for individuals seeking a path to sobriety that aligns more closely with their own experiences and identities.

Who should read Quit Like a Woman?

  • Women who feel increasingly dependent on alcohol to wind down and relax 
  • Newly sober women eager for guidance on this exciting journey
  • Women in recovery who are tired of patriarchal programme-speak

25
Overcoming Addiction Books: Treating Pornography Addiction by Kevin B. Skinner

Treating Pornography Addiction

Kevin B. Skinner
The Essential Tools for Recovery
3.9 (115 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Treating Pornography Addiction about?

Treating Pornography Addiction (2005) explores why pornography is so addictive and what individuals can do to break the cycle. Its practical tools offer addicts a roadmap to recovery and systems to safeguard against relapse. 

Who should read Treating Pornography Addiction?

  • People struggling to resist the urge to access explicit material
  • Individuals wondering if pornography is negatively impacting their life
  • Those concerned about a loved one’s use of pornography

26
Overcoming Addiction Books: The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide by James Fadiman

The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide

James Fadiman
Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys
4.6 (27 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide about?

The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide (2011) is the definitive manual for psychedelic voyagers and those who guide them. Combining original research, personal reports, and shamanistic tradition, it teaches how to create safe and successful psychedelic experiences that facilitate healing, self-discovery, and creativity. 

Who should read The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide?

  • Psychedelic voyagers or those curious about psychedelic experiences
  • Therapists and psychology professionals interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy
  • Anyone seeking healing from trauma, addiction, anxiety, or depression

27
Overcoming Addiction Books: The Porn Myth by Matt Fradd

The Porn Myth

Matt Fradd
Exposing the Reality Behind the Fantasy of Pornography
4.0 (149 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Porn Myth about?

The Porn Myth (2017) offers a secular rebuttal to pro-pornography advocacy, drawing on research in neuroscience, sociology, and psychology. With insightful analysis of the latest scientific findings on addiction and harm, the book dispels myths, exposes porn's negative impacts, and provides advice on overcoming porn addiction. 

Who should read The Porn Myth?

  • People struggling with porn addiction who want to break free
  • Activists and advocates against the harms of the porn industry
  • Religious people looking for secular arguments against porn

28
Overcoming Addiction Books: How to Eat to Change How You Drink by Brooke Scheller

How to Eat to Change How You Drink

Brooke Scheller
Heal Your Gut, Mend Your Mind, and Improve Nutrition to Change Your Relationship with Alcohol
4.0 (126 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's How to Eat to Change How You Drink about?

How to Eat to Change What You Drink (2023) draws on cutting-edge science to reveal how food can help change your relationship with alcohol. With a comprehensive 30-day plan to optimize meal timing, food, and lifestyle changes, this guide teaches you how to eat yourself sober.

Who should read How to Eat to Change How You Drink?

  • Sober and sober-curious people
  • Anyone looking to develop a healthier relationship with alcohol 
  • Anyone searching for an alternative, holistic approach to sobriety and self-improvement

29
Overcoming Addiction Books: Dopamine Detox by Thibaut Meurisse

Dopamine Detox

Thibaut Meurisse
A Short Guide to Remove Distractions and Get Your Brain to Do Hard Things
4.4 (410 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Dopamine Detox about?

Dopamine Detox (2020) is a concise guide that addresses a prevalent issue in today's distraction-filled world, offering you practical strategies to overcome procrastination and enhance focus. It reveals the impact of excessive dopamine stimulation on your ability to concentrate and tackle demanding tasks. Through a step-by-step approach, it empowers you to implement a dopamine detox in just 48 hours, enabling you to regain control over your attention and pursue your goals with renewed clarity.

Who should read Dopamine Detox?

  • Chronic procrastinators
  • Goal-setters struggling to find motivation
  • Professionals seeking enhanced productivity methods

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Overcoming Addiction Books
 FAQs 

What's the best Overcoming Addiction book to read?

While choosing just one book about a topic is always tough, many people regard Affluenza as the ultimate read on Overcoming Addiction.

What are the Top 10 Overcoming Addiction books?

Blinkist curators have picked the following:
  • Affluenza by John de Graaf, David Wann and Thomas H. Naylor
  • The Easy Way to Stop Smoking by Allen Carr
  • Beat Sugar Addiction Now! by Jacob Teitelbaum and Chrystle Fiedler
  • Irresistible by Adam Alter
  • The Distraction Addiction by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
  • Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
  • Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle
  • Hooked by Michael Moss
  • The Addiction Inoculation by Jessica Lahey
  • Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke

Who are the top Overcoming Addiction book authors?

When it comes to Overcoming Addiction, these are the authors who stand out as some of the most influential:
  • John de Graaf, David Wann and Thomas H. Naylor
  • Allen Carr
  • Jacob Teitelbaum and Chrystle Fiedler
  • Adam Alter
  • Alex Soojung-Kim Pang