Reviews with content warning for Drug abuse - Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence

Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Anna Lembke

19 reviews

eliasaurus's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

First and foremost, this isn't a self help book. It presents information in a simplistic and accessible way, so it's definitely pop sci.

The book's first section is its strongest, with a good overview of what dopamine does and its role in addiction. However, the section about pain went on longer than it needed to, and the section about shame seemed completely out of place. This section is probably responsible for the reviews stating that Lembke is overly favorable towards AA and the 12 steps. I don't think she's recommending AA as much as stating that it worked for many of her patients. Still, this part of the book is the shakiest and could have been omitted entirely.

On the whole, the book is very readable and I learned some new info. I also enjoyed the patient stories (and the author's note about obtaining consent for their use). But it's not amazing.

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slipppers98's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative inspiring medium-paced

2.5

Warning: Animal cruelty detailed!

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mjadeh's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

2.75

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adrianna_0623's review against another edition

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informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

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oliviahamilton's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

5.0

Such an interesting, thought-provoking book. I appreciated the examples from all sorts of dopamine addictions/habits, both the ones we generally consider "bad" (drug abuse, p*rn addiction) and the less obviously bad (reading cheap erotica, obsessive exercise).

The book broke down a complex scientific topic into digestible, interesting chapters and stories, with no dull portions, yet was still rooted in facts and studies. That's a feat. The author's own honesty really shone through as well, as evidenced especially later in the book.

Worth a reread at some point.

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