Overview

A new model of addiction that incorporates neurobiology, social relationships, and ecological systems. Understanding addiction is no longer just about understanding neurons or genes, broken brain functioning, learning, or faulty choices. Oliver J. Morgan provides a fresh take on addiction and recovery by presenting a more inclusive framework than traditional understanding. Cutting- edge work in attachment, interpersonal neurobiology, and trauma is integrated with ecological- systems thinking to provide a consilient and comprehensive picture of addiction. Humans are born into connection and require nourishing relationships for healthy living. Adversities, however, bring fragmentation and create the conditions for ill health. They create vulnerabilities. In order to cope, individuals can turn to alternatives, “substitute relationships” that ease the pain of disconnection. These can become addictions. Addiction, Attachment, Trauma, and Recovery presents a model, a method, and a mandate. This new focus calls for change in the established ways we think and behave about addiction and recovery. It reorients understanding and clinical practice for mental health and addiction counselors, psychologists, and social workers, as well as for addicts and those who love them.

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9780393713176

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Reviews

Here is the book we need in our age of human disconnection. With passion and compassion, Oliver Morgan brilliantly weaves science and research, philosophy and spirituality, and addiction and recovery wisdom; giving us a model to find human connection again.--Stephanie Brown, Ph.D., Director, The Addictions Institute, Menlo Park, California A heartfelt analysis of what's missing in our understanding of addiction and in its treatment--a focus on underlying problems with attachment. Morgan urges us to move away from considering silos of causation of addiction to understanding how the interplay of social ecology, family, trauma, and neurons can affect the person's ability to connect and seek comfort, offering a new vision of what is occurring and what recovery needs to embrace.--Patricia A. O'Gorman, Ph.D., Psychologist, Speaker, author of The Resilient Woman, co-author Healing Trauma Through Self-Parenting, The Lowdown on Families Who Get High, and 12 Steps to Self-Parenting Oliver Morgan provides us with new and deep understanding of the troubling problem of addiction and its links to premature mortality in America. He begins with and elegantly presents the latest science, including the complex interactions between biological and social sciences on the one hand, and the role of attachment and trauma on the other. One of his main contributions is to focus on the human beings involved and the important role of community--or lack thereof. His focus on the 'poverty of spirit' is not just an important lens into the crisis of addiction and overdose, but also more generally into how and why so we need to think deeper about the heart and soul of our society as we seek solutions.--Carol Graham, Leo Pasvolsky Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution, College Park Professor, University of Maryland

[The book] fills comprehensively a substantial gap in addiction literature... [Morgan's] approach provides an opportunity for building community and enhancing connection. While many mental health professionals seek to align with a clear model of conceptualizing addiction, Morgan challenges readers to not only question those models but then to also integrate them into a contemporary understanding how to help one of society's most vulnerable populations...This book engages the reader in a journey of challenging conventional approaches to addiction in favor of a trauma-informed approach. It is comprehensive enough to be used as a supplemental text in an Addictions course and digestible enough for the counselor seeking to enhance their understanding of addiction treatment. Through this book, Morgan helps to move the profession forward to a place of compassion. No longer will those suffering from addiction need to do so alone. With the assistance of the approaches and strategies outlined in this book, a traditionally isolating experience can become forged in community and hope. A heartfelt analysis of what's missing in our understanding of addiction and in its treatment--a focus on underlying problems with attachment. Morgan urges us to move away from considering silos of causation of addiction to understanding how the interplay of social ecology, family, trauma, and neurons can affect the person's ability to connect and seek comfort, offering a new vision of what is occurring and what recovery needs to embrace.--Patricia A. O'Gorman, PhD, Psychologist, Speaker, author of The Resilient Woman, co-author Healing Trauma Through Self-Parenting, The Lowdown on Families Who Get High, and 12 Steps to Self-Parenting Here is the book we need in our age of human disconnection. With passion and compassion, Oliver Morgan brilliantly weaves science and research, philosophy and spirituality, and addiction and recovery wisdom; giving us a model to find human connection again.--Stephanie Brown, PhD, Director, The Addictions Institute, Menlo Park, California Oliver Morgan provides us with new and deep understanding of the troubling problem of addiction and its links to premature mortality in America. He begins with and elegantly presents the latest science, including the complex interactions between biological and social sciences on the one hand, and the role of attachment and trauma on the other. One of his main contributions is to focus on the human beings involved and the important role of community--or lack thereof. His focus on the 'poverty of spirit' is not just an important lens into the crisis of addiction and overdose, but also more generally into how and why we need to think deeper about the heart and soul of our society as we seek solutions.--Carol Graham, Leo Pasvolsky Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution, College Park Professor, University of Maryland

Here is the book we need in our age of human disconnection. With passion and compassion, Oliver Morgan brilliantly weaves science and research, philosophy and spirituality, and addiction and recovery wisdom; giving us a model to find human connection again.--Stephanie Brown, Ph.D., Director, The Addictions Institute, Menlo Park, California A heartfelt analysis of what's missing in our understanding of addiction and in its treatment--a focus on underlying problems with attachment. Morgan urges us to move away from considering silos of causation of addiction to understanding how the interplay of social ecology, family, trauma, and neurons can affect the person's ability to connect and seek comfort, offering a new vision of what is occurring and what recovery needs to embrace.--Patricia A. O'Gorman, Ph.D., Psychologist, Speaker, author of The Resilient Woman, co-author Healing Trauma Through Self-Parenting, The Lowdown on Families Who Get High, and 12 Steps to Self-Parenting Oliver Morgan provides us with new and deep understanding of the troubling problem of addiction and its links to premature mortality in America. He begins with and elegantly presents the latest science, including the complex interactions between biological and social sciences on the one hand, and the role of attachment and trauma on the other. One of his main contributions is to focus on the human beings involved and the important role of community--or lack thereof. His focus on the 'poverty of spirit' is not just an important lens into the crisis of addiction and overdose, but also more generally into how and why we need to think deeper about the heart and soul of our society as we seek solutions.--Carol Graham, Leo Pasvolsky Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution, College Park Professor, University of Maryland

Author Information

Oliver J Morgan, PhD, is Professor of Counseling & Human Services at the University of Scranton. He has spent thirty years researching, teaching, and writing about mental health and addiction. He is the 2020 Award Winner for the Independent Press Awards in the category of Addiction & Recovery.

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