Unmasking Addiction

by Pierre Samaan, Ph.D.

Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism

The author delves into the intricate interplay of spirit, soul, and body in addiction, revealing its complex origins and pathways. The book explores six critical areas: the spiritual and behavioral roots of addiction, the characteristics of the addictive personality the impact of substances on the brain, and comprehensive strategies for recovery and preventing relapse. This insightful guidebook peels back the layers of addiction, offering a profound understanding and practical approaches to healing. We hope the insights shared here will serve as a valuable resource for those seeking to understand more about addiction, whether for personal growth, to support a loved one, or to enhance professional practice in addiction counseling and recovery. The author is a former Certified Addictions Professional Certification instructor in Florida with the NET Training Institute.

Addiction has many meanings. Too many people express nothing good about the subject. Perhaps synonyms best describe addiction to an obsession with infatuation with, passion for, love for, fondness for, a weakness for, penchant for, a propensity for, appetite form or mania for. Alcoholics Anonymous gives the more popular definition of addiction as “an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior even though it is causing psychological and physical harm.” The AA Introductory Pamphlet describes the addiction to alcoholism as “A physical compulsion, coupled with a metal obsession”. Those with addiction issues wear a mask of normalcy for all to see. When looking into the mirror, they also desire to see the covering-mask- to hide what is underneath.

By examining the interplay between the spirit, soul, and body in the addictive process, this book aims to foster a deeper understanding of addiction’s multifaceted nature. The author hopes the insights shared in the text will serve as a valuable resource for those seeking to understand more about addiction whether for personal growth, to support a loved one, or to enhance professional practice in addiction counseling and recover. The author intends for the reader to carry with them the knowledge that addiction is not merely a series of unfortunate choices or a fixed state of being but a treatable condition that encompasses the entire human experience. The readers of this book can truly make a difference in the lives of those affected by addiction through compassion, understanding and a willingness to explore beyond the surface.