In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction

A groundbreaking look at addiction and recovery from the bestselling author of The Myth of Normal—the modern self-help classic that reframes everything you were taught about trauma and substance abuse
Addictions always originate in pain, whether felt openly or hidden in the unconscious. In In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, world-renowned physician and trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté offers a transformative approach to understanding substance use disorder, recovery, and the root causes of addictive behavior.
Through compelling case studies, cutting-edge neuropsychiatric research, and clear-eyed analysis, Dr. Maté explores how personal history, emotional development, brain chemistry, social conditions, and structural factors—including unhealed developmental trauma—influence addiction. He advocates for humane, compassionate approaches that focus on whole-person, whole-culture healing, showing how punishment, stigma, and isolation only worsen outcomes.
This #1 international bestseller is essential for:
Since its original publication in 2010, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts has remained a bedrock for anyone seeking insight into trauma, addiction, and recovery—and continues to lay a path toward hope and true healing.
Addictions always originate in pain, whether felt openly or hidden in the unconscious. In In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, world-renowned physician and trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté offers a transformative approach to understanding substance use disorder, recovery, and the root causes of addictive behavior.
Through compelling case studies, cutting-edge neuropsychiatric research, and clear-eyed analysis, Dr. Maté explores how personal history, emotional development, brain chemistry, social conditions, and structural factors—including unhealed developmental trauma—influence addiction. He advocates for humane, compassionate approaches that focus on whole-person, whole-culture healing, showing how punishment, stigma, and isolation only worsen outcomes.
This #1 international bestseller is essential for:
- Readers facing substance use challenges
- Families and caregivers supporting loved ones in active addiction and recovery
- Mental health professionals, therapists, and researchers exploring trauma-informed care
Since its original publication in 2010, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts has remained a bedrock for anyone seeking insight into trauma, addiction, and recovery—and continues to lay a path toward hope and true healing.
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Community Reviews
Clear, coherent explanations of the neurobiology and psychosocial settings of addiction in all its forms. Intellectually enlarging for those wanting to learn more about the etiology of addiction and controversies surrounding its perceptions and treatment. Mate is clear about his stance on topics such as methadone maintenance and supervised injection sites. However, his explanations can be valuable even to those who do not agree with his positions on these issues.
The book is a little long for its own good, though. Somewhere near the final third, the clear organization present at the beginning breaks down and it starts to feel repetitive.
The book is a little long for its own good, though. Somewhere near the final third, the clear organization present at the beginning breaks down and it starts to feel repetitive.
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