THE HEART OF ADDICTION offers a new way to think about and control addictive behaviour. Dodes rejects pat explanations of alcoholism as a disease and instead explores the underlying emotions that drive addictive behaviours. In his practice and research, Dodes has found that virtually every addictive act is preceded by a feeling of helplessness or powerlessness. The addictive behaviour--be it drinking, gambling, or obsessive sex--serves to repair this feeling. The paradox is that the out of control behaviour actually gives the addict a sense of being empowered or in control - but that the addiction is a substitute for some other, more useful response. With compassion and deep understanding, Dodes provides readers with the keys to mastering their addiction by helping them uncover: why they feel the impulse, why they feel it when they do, and what they can do to address the emotional needs in another way.