Since its publication in 1988, The Addictive Personality's powerful and poignant description of the process of addiction - the causes, stages of development, and consequences - has helped thousands of people better understand the depth and dimensions of one of the most widespread and costly illnesses facing our society today. Going beyond a former definition that limited addiction primarily to the realm of alcohol and other drugs, author Craig Nakken uncovers the common denominator of all addiction as he brings to light the emotional isolation, shame, and despair in which addicts live. He examines how addictions begin and how they progress, as well as how our society often encourages addictive behavior.