In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction

Its one of the book that very hard to read but I learned a lot from this book

I am sure anything Dr Gabor Matte will write is just good. But, this version of the book in UAE is just bad, too small, font is too small, making it very hard to read! Paper is low quality as well

Went and saw Gabor Mate live in Sydney and such an interesting knowledgeable man. I bought this for my daughter who lost her husband suddenly in July 2023

Nicht leicht zu lesen aber sehr informativ

The cover of the book had some stains and looks used

Explaining the physical effects on the developing infant brain of good mothering, the author describes the damage caused by insufficient emotional closeness between infant and mother (or main caregiver). Although reactions to poor parenting vary, the baby’s experience of sensitive maternal attunement is shown to be an essential part of forming a mind. The absence or not-enoughness of this leaves a ‘black hole’. It is against this backdrop that the addictions are introduced. A substance or an addictive set of actions can be an unconsciously chosen means of stopping up the ‘hole’ in the archaic self. The author emphasises that there is a continuum of addictive behaviours, confessing to some of his own, and although the vignettes of his work with severely addicted patients may shock, the readers are encouraged to see that the tendency towards addiction is a tragic part of human nature. This book is a masterpiece of expertise and compassion.

Excellent book on trauma and addiction