There can be an element of pleasure-seeking in different types of problematic behaviour. That can be to do with the pleasure response from eating, using drugs and alcohol, or from collecting things. That last one is part of my own personal experience. Anyway, Dr. Anna Lembke's book gives clear examples of how our brain chemistry impacts upon our behaviour, and what we can do to challenge it. The approach is abstinence-based, a la Alcoholics Anonymous, but for the case studies in the book, this was effective.

I've now lent this book to two of my clients, who found it easy to digest and quick to read. I find psycho-education can really support the learning and development process that takes place within the counselling relationship, and I'm always happy to lend books to clients.