What We Think We Know 2025: The Void in Addiction

by Michael Celso

Overview

In The Void in Addiction, the first book in a groundbreaking five-part series, author Michael Celso offers a compassionate and holistic guide to understanding the true nature of addiction. Moving beyond the stigma of addiction as a moral failing, this book presents it as a complex response to a deep internal emptiness—a "void" often created by trauma, unmet emotional needs, and societal pressures.
This comprehensive exploration bridges the gap between substance use disorders (involving opioids, alcohol, and stimulants) and the often-overlooked world of behavioral addictions, including gambling, internet and video game dependency, and compulsive sexual behavior. By dissecting the common neurobiological and psychological roots of these compulsions, Celso provides readers with the knowledge and empathy needed to navigate the path to healing.
Inside, you will discover:
* The Roots of the Void: An in-depth look at how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), insecure attachment styles, genetic predispositions, and co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety and depression can create the emptiness that fuels addiction.
* The Cycle of the Trap: A clear breakdown of the stages of addiction, from initiation and experimentation to the devastating consequences on physical health, finances, relationships, and mental well-being.
* The Ripple Effect on Loved Ones: An essential exploration of how addiction impacts family dynamics, leading to codependency, enmeshment, and emotional distress for children and partners.
* A Foundation for Recovery: Practical, evidence-based pillars for rebuilding your life, including navigating detox, leveraging therapeutic tools like CBT and DBT, and the power of support networks.
* Strategies for Lasting Sobriety: Actionable guidance on developing healthy coping mechanisms, repairing relationships, finding employment, and rediscovering passions that bring meaning to life.
* The Neuroscience of Hope: A fascinating look at neuroplasticity, explaining how you can "rewire" the addicted brain by building new habits and rebalancing its reward system.
Written with deep empathy and based on extensive research, The Void in Addiction is an invaluable resource for those struggling with addiction, their families, and clinicians. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and serves as a clear, compassionate roadmap from a life of compulsion to one of purpose, connection, and lasting integration.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940184620084
Publisher:	Michael Celso
Publication date:	10/12/2025
Series:	The Void In Addiction , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	502 KB

About the Author

Michael Celso is a writer, scholar, and lifelong observer of the human condition whose work bridges the realms of psychology, spirituality, and lived experience. After four decades immersed in the high-performance world of equestrian sport, Celso turned his focus inward—examining the invisible forces that drive human behavior, healing, and the pursuit of meaning.
His ongoing series, The Void in Addiction, is a deeply introspective exploration of the human struggle with dependency, trauma, and the existential emptiness that lies beneath. Through a rare fusion of philosophical reflection, clinical insight, and soulful storytelling, Celso invites readers to see addiction not as a weakness to be conquered, but as a message from the self—a call toward reintegration, compassion, and wholeness.
A student of Human Services and Chemical Dependency Counseling, Celso writes from both academic rigor and hard-earned empathy. His work resonates with clinicians, seekers, and survivors alike—those drawn to understand the space between pain and purpose, and the light that can emerge from darkness.
When not writing or studying, Michael is actively engaged in his fieldwork internships at Wayne Behavioral Health Network and Bridges for Brain Injury Inc., where he works alongside dedicated professionals in behavioral health, recovery services, and wildlife rehabilitation. Outside of academia and service, he can be found out in nature—working with horses, tending the land, and sharing the day with his three outstanding miniature schnauzers, who never fail to remind him of the joy in simplicity and presence.
is a writer and scholar whose work bridges psychology, spirituality, and lived experience. After four decades in the equestrian world, he turned his focus inward—exploring the invisible forces that shape human behavior, addiction, and healing. As the author of The Void in Addiction series, Celso examines the inner void that fuels dependency and the profound potential for transformation that lies within it. A student of Human Services and Chemical Dependency Counseling, he blends academic insight with deep empathy drawn from lived experience. When not writing or studying, he can be found interning at Wayne Behavioral Health Network and Bridges for Brain Injury Inc., or out in nature working with horses and his three beloved miniature schnauzers.