The Soul of an Addict: Unlocking the Complex Nature of Addiction

by D.J. Mitchell

Overview

Addiction is more complex than it may seem. Written for the non-addict who seeks to understand substance addiction, The Soul of an Addict shows that addiction not just a disease or a choice. Using statistics, anecdotes from the lives of addicts, and the author's personal experience with addiction and recovery, the book argues that addiction affects all aspects of human existence, including identity, purpose, life structure, and morality. It serves as a religion in the addict's life, and any approach to recovery must also provide these essential needs. With one in seven Americans struggling with substance abuse, this book brings a timely analysis for anyone concerned about addiction.

"A must-read... As a therapist I will be recommending this book to my clients." -Milt McLelland, CMHC, Roots Counseling Center

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781735680835
Publisher:	Alma James Publishing LLC
Publication date:	08/27/2020
Pages:	204
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

D.J. Mitchell is a pastor, recovering addict, and author writing from Harrisonburg, Virginia. He grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, and moved to Los Angeles at nineteen years old. Over the years, he's worked in industrial plants, taught computer classes, prepared tax returns, and made artisan cheese. He graduated from Eastern Mennonite Seminary in 2019 and started Healing Refuge Fellowship, a ministry to people in recovery.

Among his formative experiences was serving for 18 months as a volunteer in Sri Lanka with the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in 1993-1995. He returned several more times over the next decade. In 1999, he joined a team that was working to end the civil war there, which helped bring about a cease-fire that lasted six years - the longest cease-fire of the war.

His writing, while varied in subject and genre, always seeks to build bridges. His popular, apocalyptic novel Ordinary World portrayed a rural family's struggles in a fictional economic collapse-- at least, it seemed fictional in 2014. Domino Theory, a hard-boiled mystery, is told from the perspective of an addict, and offers a frighteningly real glimpse into the mind of an addicted person. The Young Adult fiction "Travelers" series, his Sam Winslow novels, and his Young Adult novel The Mythics, explore conflict and peace. And Steve's Grace examines the sometimes fine line between mental illness and religious devotion.

His first non-fiction book, The Soul of an Addict, is written for non-addicts who want to better understand the nature of addiction and how to help those who are addicted. Praised by scholars and social workers, this book is intended for a broad audience, and seeks to raise awareness of the needs of a recovering person to prevent more tragic deaths from drug and alcohol abuse.

D.J. is also very religious though, like his history, his faith is sometimes unconventional. Those who detect subtle religious themes in his work would not be mistaken.

Above all, D.J. enjoys telling a good story, and his varied background gives him a great foundation for doing so

Editorial Reviews

If you thought you understood addiction, think again, and read this book. While this is a book by a fine writer, it is more importantly by someone who is himself in recovery. It draws on a wide variety of research and experience and avoids easy answers. A must read for the non-addict who is trying to understand the huge society problem of addiction.

Author of The Walk of a Lifetime - Russ Eanes

The book elucidates the agony of addiction in a fresh, new way. It emphasizes the role of trauma in setting the stage for debilitating behaviors, and explains the importance of community support in the healing process. With anecdotes of many people who grapple with addiction and have survived, as well as sad stories of addicts who died, this book provides healthy doses of grit and inspiration.

Loyola Marymount University - Christopher Key Chapple

Your style is lucid and compelling.

Catholic Charities - Brendan Walls

One of the best overviews of addiction and recovery I have read. It is very readable with examples throughout, and provides a good overview of various approaches to understanding and treating addiction with a fair critique of these. I find your description of addiction to be realistic, convincing, and very helpful to recognize the god-like power that makes so much sense to the devotee.

Eastern Mennonite University - Linford Stutzman

A must read for both the person who suffers from addiction and those that love the addicts. As a therapist I will be recommending this book to my clients.

Roots Counseling Center - Milt McLellan