Hope in the Age of Addiction: How to Find Freedom and Restore Your Relationships

by Chip Dodd, Stephen James

Overview

Between alcohol, illegal drugs, prescription drugs, pornography, gambling, and eating disorders, fully 25% of the population of the United States is addicted to something. Those addictions are taking a massive physical, emotional, spiritual, and financial toll on individuals, families, and communities. The problem can feel insurmountable. But there is a solution, at once ancient and supported by the latest in neuroscientific research.

With an honest assessment of the facts, yet always reaching out toward hopeful solutions, counselors Chip Dodd and Stephen James explain what addiction really is, how it works, and why it is so damaging to our hearts, souls, minds, and relationships. They then take us beyond mere coping techniques that allow us to function to the real solution—restoring our broken relationship with our Creator so that we can rediscover how to live fully the way we were created to live. Each chapter includes the personal story of a recovering addict, told from the addict's point of view. The authors also include a list of books, organizations, workshops, and treatment centers people can turn to for help along the road to lasting recovery.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493423071
Publisher:	Baker Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/04/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Chip Dodd, PhD, LPC-MHSP, is a consultant, mentor, and counselor who has worked in the field of recovery from addiction for over 30 years. He is the founder of the Center for Professional Excellence, a treatment center for professionals, and Sage Hill, a social impact organization. He the bestselling author of several books, including The Voice of the Heart and The Perfect Loss. He and his wife have two grown sons and live in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Stephen James, MA, LPC-MHSP, NCC, is the founder and executive director of Sage Hill Counseling in Nashville. He also works with professionals, C-suite executives, and entrepreneurs to help them improve not only their leadership but their family lives as well. He is the bestselling author of six books, including Parenting with Heart with Chip Dodd. He and his wife, Heather, live in Nashville, Tennessee, and have four children.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments 11

Authors' Note 13

A Letter to Those Who Are in Addiction 15

A Letter to Those Who Love Someone Who Is in Addiction 19

Introduction 23

Part 1 The Age of Addiction 31

1 The Invisible Dragon 33

Greg's Story of Hope 40

2 The Pandemic 47

Rachel's Story of Hope 52

3 The Emotional and Relational Costs of Addiction 59

Mark's Story of Hope 66

Part 2 Understanding Addiction 71

4 What Is Addiction? 75

Nate's Story of Hope 85

5 How Normal Becomes Addiction 91

Sarah's Story of Hope 107

6 Am I Addicted? 111

Todd's Story of Hope 121

Part 3 A Path, Not a Pill 129

7 The Map to Freedom 133

Kate's Story of Hope 139

8 The Five Tools 147

Chris's Story of Hope 154

9 The Paradigm of Sickness and Recovery 165

Anna's Story of Hope 180

10 Keeping Heart 191

Notes 201