In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts
Close Encounters with Addiction
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In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts
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Narrated by:
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Daniel Maté
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Written by:
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Gabor Maté MD
About this listen
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)
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What the critics say
2009, BC Book Prize's Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize: Winner
"A harrowingly honest, compassionate, sometimes angry look at addiction and the people whose lives have been disordered by it." —Ottawa Citizen
"An insightful, multilayered discussion of the nature of addiction generally, and our society's epidemic of addictions in particular." —The Globe and Mail
"Enormously compelling . . . and Maté, as noted, is admirably, sometimes inexplicably, empathetic to all who cross his path." —Toronto Star
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- 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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- 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!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- 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.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- 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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- 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
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Eileen Fagan
- 2023-01-18
Should be required reading for ALL Families
The collaborative presentation of “ Hungry Ghosts”by author Gabor and son Daniel, narrator is phenomenal, comprehensive, practical and relevant to all families,focusing on a global issue of addiction and the understanding of the addictive brain and behaviour. Addiction is not exclusive to substance, alcohol or gaming behaviours alone but is endemic to all of us human beings to a lesser degree perhaps who struggle to blend in with the exigencies of human condition, struggling for survival in this troubled world of ours. I been ‘preaching’ about “In the Realm ** recommending it to all and sundry,.I read the actual hard copy, first, then on my tablet via Libbys Library and 3rd time experience, listening, to my supreme satisfaction, on AUDIBLE . Profound gratitude for the gift of Gabor !
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hanna Kounov
- 2023-11-28
Interesting
I feel as if I will be revisiting many sections of this book. There’s so much in here that needs deeper analysis.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Zach
- 2019-01-13
Hungry Ghosts is a must read
Daniel does a fantastic read of his dads book on addiction.
The book chronicles Gabor’s time as a physician in the downtown east side of Vancouver and includes much insight into the lives of addicts and the underlying physiology and life circumstances that drive addiction.
Gabor clearly sees the humanity in his patients and lends a compassionate viewpoint to a group of people who are often marginalized in our society.
I believe that this is a must read/listen for anyone who wants to better understand their own minds as well as the minds of those afflicted by addiction.
Gabor’s telling of addicts stories and sharing of related neuroscience manages to shed light on a topic that people tend to ignore or misunderstand.
I Highly recommend you read it!
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Geoff
- 2021-02-11
Excellent Information on Addictions
I picked up this book on a recommendation from a co-worker who is an addictions councilor. I am very grateful to have done this. The stories of Dr. Mate's patients and observations on addictions are insightful and enlightening. I have never really given much thought in to the mindset of individuals who suffer destructive addictions and what brought them to the points they are at This book offers an excellent insight in to this world and I highly recommend it to everyone if only to help further understand what people can be dealing with.
The audio (audible) version of this book is well read, the narrator presents the information excellently. The story is engaging and I listened to it whenever I could.
This is most definitely a 5 star read for story, information learned and as an audio book an excellent listen.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Hmackdad
- 2020-11-30
One For All
Like the Body Keeps The Score this is a book everyone should read. Excellent job of presentation thoughtfullness and a reality check. Making me look at my own addictions and understand others. So many behaviour addicts haha.
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