Listen free for 30 days
-
In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts
- Close Encounters with Addiction
- Narrated by: Daniel Maté
- Length: 16 hrs and 18 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $33.22
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
In this timely and profoundly original book, best-selling writer and physician Gabor Maté looks at the epidemic of addictions in our society, tells us why we are so prone to them and what is needed to liberate ourselves from their hold on our emotions and behaviours.
For over seven years Gabor Maté has been the staff physician at the Portland Hotel, a residence and harm reduction facility in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. His patients are challenged by life-threatening drug addictions, mental illness, Hepatitis C or HIV and, in many cases, all four. But if Dr. Maté’s patients are at the far end of the spectrum, there are many others among us who are also struggling with addictions. Drugs, alcohol, tobacco, work, food, sex, gambling, and excessive inappropriate spending: what is amiss with our lives that we seek such self-destructive ways to comfort ourselves? And why is it so difficult to stop these habits, even as they threaten our health, jeopardize our relationships, and corrode our lives?
Beginning with a dramatically close view of his drug addicted patients, Dr. Maté looks at his own history of compulsive behaviour. He weaves the stories of real people who have struggled with addiction with the latest research on addiction and the brain. Providing a bold synthesis of clinical experience, insight, and cutting-edge scientific findings, Dr. Maté sheds light on this most puzzling of human frailties. He proposes a compassionate approach to helping drug addicts and, for the many behaviour addicts among us, to addressing the void addiction is meant to fill.
I believe there is one addiction process, whether it manifests in the lethal substance dependencies of my Downtown Eastside patients, the frantic self-soothing of overeaters or shopaholics, the obsessions of gamblers, sexaholics and compulsive internet users, or in the socially acceptable and even admired behaviours of the workaholic. Drug addicts are often dismissed and discounted as unworthy of empathy and respect. In telling their stories my intent is to help their voices to be heard and to shed light on the origins and nature of their ill-fated struggle to overcome suffering through substance use. Both in their flaws and their virtues they share much in common with the society that ostracizes them. If they have chosen a path to nowhere, they still have much to teach the rest of us. In the dark mirror of their lives we can trace outlines of our own.
(from In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts)
You may also enjoy...
-
When the Body Says No
- The Cost of Hidden Stress
- Written by: Gabor Maté MD
- Narrated by: Daniel Maté
- Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this accessible and groundbreaking book - filled with the moving stories of real people medical doctor and best-selling author Gabor Maté shows that emotion and psychological stress play a powerful role in the onset of chronic illness, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple sclerosis and many others, even Alzheimer's disease.
-
-
New Insight into My Life
- By Lauren on 2021-06-12
Written by: Gabor Maté MD
-
Hold On to Your Kids
- Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers
- Written by: Gordon Neufeld, Gabor Maté MD
- Narrated by: Gabor Maté MD, Daniel Maté
- Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Hold On to Your Kids, Dr. Neufeld and Dr. Maté explore the phenomenon of peer orientation: the troubling tendency of children and youth to look to their peers for direction—for a sense of right and wrong, for values, identity and codes of behavior. But peer orientation undermines family cohesion, poisons the school atmosphere, and fosters an aggressively hostile and sexualized youth culture. It provides a powerful explanation for schoolyard bullying and youth violence; it is an escalating trend that has never been adequately described or contested.
-
-
long winded and heavy on theory
- By Matt Santiso on 2021-05-22
Written by: Gordon Neufeld, and others
-
In an Unspoken Voice
- How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness
- Written by: Peter A. Levine, Gabor Maté - foreword M.D.
- Narrated by: Ed Nash
- Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this culmination of his life’s work, Peter A. Levine draws on his broad experience as a clinician, a student of comparative brain research, a stress scientist and a keen observer of the naturalistic animal world to explain the nature and transformation of trauma in the body, brain and psyche. In an Unspoken Voice is based on the idea that trauma is neither a disease nor a disorder, but rather an injury caused by fright, helplessness and loss that can be healed by engaging our innate capacity to self-regulate high states of arousal and intense emotions.
-
-
One of the most important books to read
- By Andrew on 2022-08-14
Written by: Peter A. Levine, and others
-
The Body Keeps the Score
- Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
- Written by: Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
- Narrated by: Sean Pratt
- Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent more than three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust.
-
-
incredibly triggering
- By MMRR on 2021-11-27
Written by: Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
-
Eight Step Recovery
- Using the Buddha's Teachings to Overcome Addiction
- Written by: Valerie Mason-John, Dr. Paramabandhu Groves, Gabor Maté MD - foreword
- Narrated by: Janina Edwards
- Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether you are struggling to stay off heroin or with an obsessive pattern of thinking that prevents you from leading a more fulfilling life, the same principles apply. The eight steps in this book take you away from the trouble caused by addictive tendencies, helping you untangle these drives, to discover a richer and more fulfilling way of living.
-
-
good read for addictions
- By Malachite on 2021-03-16
Written by: Valerie Mason-John, and others
-
A Brief Introduction to Social Work Theory
- Written by: David Howe, Darren Hill
- Narrated by: David Thorpe
- Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This textbook offers the perfect introduction to the complex world of social work theory, giving a concise and engaging overview of how practice is influenced by each theoretical approach described. The book begins by outlining the origins and historical context of social work, which allows the listener to see show how theoretical fashions have changed and adapted to certain times, and concludes with advice on the best way forward for the modern-day social worker.
Written by: David Howe, and others
-
When the Body Says No
- The Cost of Hidden Stress
- Written by: Gabor Maté MD
- Narrated by: Daniel Maté
- Length: 11 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this accessible and groundbreaking book - filled with the moving stories of real people medical doctor and best-selling author Gabor Maté shows that emotion and psychological stress play a powerful role in the onset of chronic illness, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, multiple sclerosis and many others, even Alzheimer's disease.
-
-
New Insight into My Life
- By Lauren on 2021-06-12
Written by: Gabor Maté MD
-
Hold On to Your Kids
- Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers
- Written by: Gordon Neufeld, Gabor Maté MD
- Narrated by: Gabor Maté MD, Daniel Maté
- Length: 14 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Hold On to Your Kids, Dr. Neufeld and Dr. Maté explore the phenomenon of peer orientation: the troubling tendency of children and youth to look to their peers for direction—for a sense of right and wrong, for values, identity and codes of behavior. But peer orientation undermines family cohesion, poisons the school atmosphere, and fosters an aggressively hostile and sexualized youth culture. It provides a powerful explanation for schoolyard bullying and youth violence; it is an escalating trend that has never been adequately described or contested.
-
-
long winded and heavy on theory
- By Matt Santiso on 2021-05-22
Written by: Gordon Neufeld, and others
-
In an Unspoken Voice
- How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness
- Written by: Peter A. Levine, Gabor Maté - foreword M.D.
- Narrated by: Ed Nash
- Length: 12 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this culmination of his life’s work, Peter A. Levine draws on his broad experience as a clinician, a student of comparative brain research, a stress scientist and a keen observer of the naturalistic animal world to explain the nature and transformation of trauma in the body, brain and psyche. In an Unspoken Voice is based on the idea that trauma is neither a disease nor a disorder, but rather an injury caused by fright, helplessness and loss that can be healed by engaging our innate capacity to self-regulate high states of arousal and intense emotions.
-
-
One of the most important books to read
- By Andrew on 2022-08-14
Written by: Peter A. Levine, and others
-
The Body Keeps the Score
- Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
- Written by: Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
- Narrated by: Sean Pratt
- Length: 16 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent more than three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust.
-
-
incredibly triggering
- By MMRR on 2021-11-27
Written by: Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
-
Eight Step Recovery
- Using the Buddha's Teachings to Overcome Addiction
- Written by: Valerie Mason-John, Dr. Paramabandhu Groves, Gabor Maté MD - foreword
- Narrated by: Janina Edwards
- Length: 10 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether you are struggling to stay off heroin or with an obsessive pattern of thinking that prevents you from leading a more fulfilling life, the same principles apply. The eight steps in this book take you away from the trouble caused by addictive tendencies, helping you untangle these drives, to discover a richer and more fulfilling way of living.
-
-
good read for addictions
- By Malachite on 2021-03-16
Written by: Valerie Mason-John, and others
-
A Brief Introduction to Social Work Theory
- Written by: David Howe, Darren Hill
- Narrated by: David Thorpe
- Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This textbook offers the perfect introduction to the complex world of social work theory, giving a concise and engaging overview of how practice is influenced by each theoretical approach described. The book begins by outlining the origins and historical context of social work, which allows the listener to see show how theoretical fashions have changed and adapted to certain times, and concludes with advice on the best way forward for the modern-day social worker.
Written by: David Howe, and others
-
Addiction, Attachment, Trauma, and Recovery
- The Power of Connection
- Written by: Oliver J. Morgan, Louis Cozolino - foreword
- Narrated by: James Anderson Foster
- Length: 10 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
Amazing information
- By charlie on 2023-06-30
Written by: Oliver J. Morgan, and others
-
It Didn't Start with You
- How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle
- Written by: Mark Wolynn
- Narrated by: Mark Wolynn
- Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As a pioneer in the field of inherited family trauma, Mark Wolynn has worked with individuals and groups on a therapeutic level for over 20 years. It Didn't Start with You offers a pragmatic and prescriptive guide to his method, the Core Language Approach. Diagnostic self-inventories provide a way to uncover the fears and anxieties conveyed through everyday words, behaviors, and physical symptoms.
-
-
blames mothers lol
- By Abigail on 2021-04-10
Written by: Mark Wolynn
-
What Happened to You?
- Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
- Written by: Oprah Winfrey, Bruce D. Perry
- Narrated by: Bruce D. Perry, Oprah Winfrey
- Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Have you ever wondered "Why did I do that?" or "Why can't I just control my behavior?" Others may judge our reactions and think, "What's wrong with that person?" When questioning our emotions, it's easy to place the blame on ourselves; holding ourselves and those around us to an impossible standard. It's time we started asking a different question. Through deeply personal conversations, Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain and trauma expert Dr. Bruce Perry offer a groundbreaking and profound shift from asking “What’s wrong with you?” to “What happened to you?”
-
-
Let me save you the time
- By Jacob Melville on 2021-05-16
Written by: Oprah Winfrey, and others
-
Dopamine Nation
- Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence
- Written by: Dr. Anna Lembke
- Narrated by: Dr. Anna Lembke
- Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This book is about pleasure. It’s also about pain. Most important, it’s about how to find the delicate balance between the two, and why now more than ever finding balance is essential. We’re living in a time of unprecedented access to high-reward, high-dopamine stimuli: drugs, food, news, gambling, shopping, gaming, texting, sexting, Facebooking, Instagramming, YouTubing, tweeting....
-
-
I listened to this audiobook on 1.4 X speed
- By JMS on 2021-09-09
Written by: Dr. Anna Lembke
-
Sacred Medicine
- A Doctor's Quest to Unravel the Mysteries of Healing
- Written by: Lissa Rankin MD, Dr. Gabor Maté - foreword
- Narrated by: Subhadra Newton
- Length: 14 hrs and 34 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 2007, Lissa Rankin left a promising career in medicine to tend to her own health and well-being. Her search to discover why people really get sick and what truly optimizes health outcomes launched a bestselling book, two television specials, and a revolution in the way we look at mind-body medicine. But so many questions remained for this doctor and skeptic. Certain that, if she looked hard enough, she would find the answers, Dr. Rankin embarked on a decade-long journey to explore these questions and more.
-
-
Very disappointing
- By Damaged product and no way to find out how I can return it on 2022-04-09
Written by: Lissa Rankin MD, and others
-
Chasing the Scream
- Written by: Johann Hari
- Narrated by: Johann Hari
- Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of Johann Hari’s earliest memories is of trying to wake up one of his relatives and not being able to. As he grew older, he realized he had addiction in his family. Confused, not knowing what to do, he set out and traveled over 30,000 miles over three years to discover what really causes addiction - and what really solves it.
-
-
Breathless, but critical read
- By Amazon Customer on 2023-09-02
Written by: Johann Hari
-
Overdose
- Heartbreak and Hope in Canada's Opioid Crisis
- Written by: Benjamin Perrin
- Narrated by: John Cleland
- Length: 7 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
North America is in the middle of a health emergency. Life expectancies are declining. Someone is dying every two hours in Canada from illicit drug overdose. Fentanyl has become a looming presence—an opioid more powerful, pervasive, and deadly than any previous street drug.
-
-
Great book.
- By Anonymous User on 2023-09-28
Written by: Benjamin Perrin
-
Psychedelics and Psychotherapy
- The Healing Potential of Expanded States
- Written by: Tim Read - editor, Maria Papaspyrou - editor, Gabor Maté - foreword
- Narrated by: Erica B. Robinson
- Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Exploring the latest developments in the flourishing field of modern psychedelic psychotherapy, this book shares practical experiences and insights from both elders and newer research voices in the psychedelic research and clinical communities.
-
-
Great overview
- By Stephen James Joyce on 2023-03-05
Written by: Tim Read - editor, and others
-
Trauma Through a Child's Eyes
- Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing
- Written by: Peter A. Levine, Maggie Kline
- Narrated by: Ellen Jaffe
- Length: 17 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Trauma can result not only from catastrophic events such as abuse, violence, or loss of loved ones, but from natural disasters and everyday incidents like auto accidents, medical procedures, divorce, or even falling off a bicycle. At the core of this book is the understanding of how trauma is imprinted on the body, brain, and spirit—often resulting in anxiety, nightmares, depression, physical illnesses, addictions, hyperactivity, and aggression.
Written by: Peter A. Levine, and others
-
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog
- And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook -- What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love, and Healing
- Written by: Bruce D. Perry, Maia Szalavitz
- Narrated by: Chris Kipiniak
- Length: 13 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How does trauma affect a child's mind—and how can that mind recover? In the classic The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog, Dr. Perry explains what happens to the brains of children exposed to extreme stress and shares their lessons of courage, humanity, and hope. Only when we understand the science of the mind and the power of love and nurturing can we hope to heal the spirit of even the most wounded child.
-
-
Didn’t know what to expect
- By Anonymous User on 2020-10-12
Written by: Bruce D. Perry, and others
-
Wasted
- An Alcoholic Therapist's Fight for Recovery in a Tragically Flawed Treatment System
- Written by: Michael Pond, Maureen Palmer
- Narrated by: Michael Pond, Maureen Palmer
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Psychotherapist Michael Pond is no stranger to the devastating consequences of alcoholism. He has helped hundreds of people conquer their addictions, but this knowledge did not prevent his own near-demise. In this riveting memoir, he recounts how he lost his practice, his home, and his family - all because of his drinking.
-
-
Amazing book
- By Maxime on 2021-10-06
Written by: Michael Pond, and others
-
Healing Trauma
- Restoring the Wisdom of the Body
- Written by: Peter A. Levine
- Narrated by: Peter A. Levine
- Length: 6 hrs and 51 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Are you experiencing physical or emotional symptoms that no one is able to explain? If so, you may be suffering a traumatic reaction to a past event, teaches Levine.
-
-
Incredible book
- By Joan on 2020-05-27
Written by: Peter A. Levine
Editorial Review
Drugs, sex, work, gaming, food… addictions are everywhere. Why do we become addicted to something? How can we liberate ourselves from the hold they have on our lives? In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts will help you better understand what leads to addictions and how to deal with the emptiness they mean to fill. Dr. Gabor Maté is a best-selling Canadian writer and physician. Through the voice of his son, Daniel Maté, he shares his addictive tendencies and the stories of seriously addicted people. Dr. Maté received the Order of Canada in 2018 for his work on addiction, trauma, mind-body unity and the need for social change. In When the Body Says No, another excellent audiobook by Dr. Maté, you will learn that chronic stress can lead to diseases. Drug addicts are often judged severely in our society. The compassionate approach of Dr. Maté in helping drug addicts will open your mind and be more empathetic towards their suffering. People who are struggling with addictions are suffering inside and can improve their life by getting rid of them. Dr. Maté’s insights and clinical experience help us to better understand their self-destructive behaviour. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts ranks #1 in General Medicine Textbooks on Amazon.
What listeners say about In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
- LouLou
- 2021-10-18
so good
This book is a wealth of knowledge. The best I've heard on the subject. I plan to read everything he has written.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kootskris
- 2022-04-29
He did it again ♥️
Love your work, Thank you Dr. Mate. I am so looking forward to reading 📖 the next one!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Ken
- 2022-05-06
the 4 step plan "finally" this will change my life
C.O.A.L.
this book is beautiful and GM was writing chapters as far back as 2006! I can hardly wait for his current solutions that I'm certain will support everything from within the pages of this compassionate, genius book about a human condition that affects all of us.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Crystal McFeetors
- 2022-07-23
Essential listening
If you have a loved one with substance use disorder or wish to understand this mental health issue deeper, this is essential listening. Daniel Mate does an amazing job with the narration, making it a very easy and absorbing listen. The author Gabor Mate offers incredible depth, insight and humility here. A true gift.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2022-11-14
Eye opener
I myself have my own issues with addiction and childhood trauma and reading this book actually made me become aware of circumstances a lot more not only in my life but my parents lives. I think this is a really good read I think people need to read things like this to put their own life into a greater understanding. I have already recommended this book to many friends and family.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Katherine F. Lowe
- 2022-11-28
exceptional again
what can I say? insightful, compassionate, loving. this book helped me understand so much about myself and my daughter and my parents ❤️
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- KMort51
- 2022-11-10
most excellent book!
the narration was very good and easy to listen to.
the personal stories were engaging .
the technical sharing in the latter chapters was over my head most times making the book more of a text book than a story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2019-08-07
excellent insight into addiction
excellent insight into addiction and a powerful argument for the harm reduction model. captivating and inspiring.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
- MOLeary1105
- 2020-05-08
This ranks up with the book Alcoholics Anonymous.
As an addict, i feel i speak with some authority in saying "not since the titular book by the Fellowship that kicked off the recovery movement have we seen a book with similar authority abd explanatory power regarding the disease of addiction. My congtulations Dr. Mate.
i recommend this book highly for anyone looking to develop their understanding of addiction. a very sensitive read.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2022-10-23
Outstanding!!!!
This is just the best book I suggest that everyone reads this book. I am 4 years clean and sober and this has helped me with my recovery so much. I also want to be a alcohol and drug counsellor so this book helped me get more in depth information about addicts
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!