In In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, Gabor Maté, an addiction specialist at the Portland Hotel in Vancouver, Canada, explores how childhood stressors contribute to adult addiction and challenges societal misconceptions about addicts. The book combines scientific data, patient anecdotes, and Maté's personal experiences, advocating for compassionate and supportive approaches to addiction rather than shaming and persecution. Topics include discussions of childhood trauma and addiction.

Gabor Maté's In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts is acclaimed for its compassionate and thorough exploration of addiction, intertwining personal stories with scientific research. Reviews praise its empathetic narrative and insightful analysis, although some critique its dense medical jargon and occasionally repetitive content. Overall, it's a powerful, enlightening read.

Readers who are drawn to deep explorations of addiction, trauma, and societal issues will appreciate Gabor Maté's In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts. Comparable to works like Johann Hari's Chasing the Scream and Bessel van der Kolk's The Body Keeps the Score, this book offers a compassionate, insightful perspective on human suffering and recovery.

Vancouver, British Columbia / Contemporary

Informative / Emotional / Challenging / Contemplative / Dark

Gabor Maté

Adult

Book

Nonfiction

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Study Guide

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In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Introduction Summary & Analysis

Part 1: “Hellbound Train”

Part 1 In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Physician, Heal Thyself”

Part 2 In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “A Different State of the Brain”

Part 3 In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “How the Addicted Brain Develops”

Part 4 In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “The Addiction Process and the Addictive Personality”

Part 5 In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Part 5  Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “Imagining a Human Reality: Beyond the War on Drugs”

Part 6 In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 7: “The Ecology of Healing”

Part 7 In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Part 7 Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

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Themes

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Themes

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Important Quotes

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

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In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

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