Addiction is a deeply personal and complex human experience — one that affects millions across all walks of life. Whether you’re trying to understand it from a scientific, psychological, or emotional perspective, books offer a powerful way to deepen your empathy and knowledge.
In this curated list, you’ll find a mix of compelling memoirs from people who’ve lived through addiction and recovery, and evidence-based works that break down the neuroscience, psychology, and social factors behind it. From the raw honesty of personal downfall to the clarity of clinical research, these 14 books illuminate addiction from every angle.
Whether you’re on your own addiction recovery journey, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand this widespread condition better, these books will challenge, inform, and inspire.
The Best Addiction Books
Here are our suggestions:
1. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction
Author: Gabor Maté MD
Book Description: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction by Dr. Gabor Maté is an insightful exploration of the complex world of addiction.
Drawing from his experiences as a physician working with patients in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Maté examines the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to addiction, challenging the notion that it is solely a matter of individual choice.
Meanwhile, he shares personal stories, scientific research, and cultural analysis to reveal how trauma, stress, and societal disconnection drive addictive behaviors. He offers a compassionate perspective that advocates for empathy and holistic approaches to healing over punishment or stigma.
Where to find it: Amazon
2. The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease
Author: Marc Lewis, PhD
Book Description: The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease by Marc Lewis challenges the conventional view of addiction as a chronic disease, proposing instead that it is a learned behavior driven by the brain’s plasticity.
Lewis and I have discussed his work, and I often cite his writings to support his case that addiction emerges from the same neural mechanisms that govern desire and learning, shaped by environment, experience, and emotional needs. Through compelling stories of individuals overcoming addiction, he illustrates how the brain can rewire itself, emphasizing personal agency and the potential for recovery without relying on medicalized models.
Where to find it: Amazon
3. Breaking Addiction: A 7-Step Handbook for Ending Any Addiction
Author: Lance M. Dodes
Book Description: Breaking Addiction by Dr. Lance Dodes presents a practical, compassionate approach to understanding and overcoming addiction. Based on decades of clinical experience, Dodes introduces a seven-step method that goes beyond behavior and focuses on the emotional forces driving addictive patterns.
I’ve spoken with Dodes and we share a similar style of Psychiatric training that focuses on uncovering the root causes of addiction. This book empowers readers to recognize triggers and regain control, offering a practical path toward lasting change.
Where to find it: Amazon
4. Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction
Author: Maia Szalavitz
Book Description: In Unbroken Brain, journalist and addiction expert Maia Szalavitz challenges outdated ideas about addiction by presenting it as a learning disorder rather than a moral failing or brain disease.
Blending cutting-edge research with her own personal journey through heroin addiction and recovery, Szalavitz offers a nuanced, compassionate, and evidence-based view of how addiction develops – and how people heal.
As a result, her groundbreaking perspective reshapes how we think about treatment, recovery, and the people affected by addiction.
Where to find it: Amazon
5. Drinking: A Love Story
Author: Caroline Knapp
Book Description: Drinking: A Love Story is Caroline Knapp’s raw and deeply personal memoir. Knapp was a celebrated writer and columnist whose candid storytelling explores her complex relationship with alcohol.
Furthermore, she reveals how drinking shaped her identity, relationships, and self-perception, ultimately confronting the painful realities of addiction.
Where to find it: Amazon
6. High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One Addict’s Double Life
Author: Tiffany Jenkins
Book Description: High Achiever is Tiffany Jenkins’s gripping memoir revealing the stark contrast between her polished public persona and her hidden battle with addiction. As a successful social worker and dedicated mother, Jenkins maintained a double life fueled by substance abuse, demonstrating how addiction can affect anyone regardless of background or status.
Also, she shares her journey through denial, destruction, and ultimately recovery, offering hope and insight for anyone grappling with similar struggles.
Where to find it: Amazon
7. Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction
Author: David Sheff
Book Description: Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction is a memoir by David Sheff that chronicles his emotional and challenging experience as a father navigating his son Nic’s struggle with drug addiction. The book delves into Sheff’s feelings of love, helplessness, and hope as he witnesses Nic’s descent into methamphetamine addiction, detailing the impact on their family and the relentless efforts to support his son’s recovery.
Building on this, Sheff explores the complexities of addiction, offering an intimate look at the toll it takes on both the addict and their loved ones. He also highlights the enduring bond between father and son.
Where to find it: Amazon
8. Scar Tissue: The Memories of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Lead Singer
Author: Anthony Kiedis
Book Description: Scar Tissue is the raw and deeply personal autobiography of Anthony Kiedis, lead singer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, chronicling his decades-long battle with drug addiction.
In addition, the book offers an unflinching look at the impact of addiction and the challenging journey toward recovery. So, it’s a compelling read for anyone interested in the human side of addiction.
Where to find it: Amazon
9. Me
Author: Elton John
Book Description: Me is the candid and heartfelt autobiography of music legend Elton John, revealing his personal battles with addiction, fame, and identity.
Elton shares his journey through the highs of superstardom and the lows of substance abuse, offering an honest glimpse into how addiction affected his life and relationships. As a result, with humor, vulnerability, and insight, this memoir celebrates his resilience and the power of transformation.
Where to find it: Amazon
10. Clapton: The Autobiography
Author: Eric Clapton
Book Description: Clapton: The Autobiography is Eric Clapton’s honest account of his life, music, and struggles with addiction. Also, the legendary guitarist opens up about his battles with heroin and alcohol, revealing how addiction impacted his personal relationships and career.
Furthermore, by candidly sharing his story, Clapton takes readers on a journey from darkness to recovery, offering insight into the challenges and triumphs that shaped one of rock’s greatest icons.
Where to find it: Amazon
11. Wishful Drinking
Author: Carrie Fisher
Book Description: Wishful Drinking is Carrie Fisher’s sharp, witty, and deeply honest memoir about her lifelong battles with addiction and mental illness.
Moreover, known for her role as Princess Leia in Star Wars, Fisher blends humor and vulnerability as she candidly explores her struggles with alcoholism, drug dependency, and bipolar disorder.
Where to find it: Amazon
12. Staying Strong
Author: Demi Lovato
Book Description: Staying Strong is a powerful and inspirational collection of personal reflections, quotes, and insights from Demi Lovato’s ongoing journey of recovery from addiction, mental health struggles, and self-discovery.
Also, Lovato is known for her openness about her battles with substance abuse and eating disorders. Through her experiences, she offers encouragement and practical wisdom to help others stay resilient through life’s challenges.
Where to find it: Amazon
13. Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing
Author: Matthew Perry
Book Description: In Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing, Matthew Perry offers a brutally honest and often darkly humorous account of his rise to fame and decades-long battle with addiction.
Also, through a blend of vulnerability and wit, he shares personal stories that shed light on the hidden struggles behind his public persona. Perry’s memoir not only provides insight into the toll of addiction but also emphasizes the importance of hope, support, and self-awareness in the journey toward recovery.
Where to find it: Amazon
14. Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions
Author: Russell Brand
Book Description: In Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions, Russell Brand combines his personal experiences with addiction and recovery to offer a fresh and compelling approach to healing.
Also, by drawing from his own journey, he challenges traditional views and encourages readers to embrace a holistic path toward freedom from addiction. Moreover, Brand emphasizes the importance of community, spirituality, and self-awareness in sustaining long-term recovery.
Where to find it: Amazon
Essential Books on Addiction: Insight, Stories, and Hope
In conclusion, this collection brings together both scientific explanations and personal stories to help you grasp the complexity of addiction and the possibilities for recovery.
Ready to take the next step? I built the Self Recovery Program on the same science you’ll find in these books, and it navigates the very human, personal experiences of these memoirs. It was designed to support your path toward lasting wellness and freedom from addiction.
