{"product_id":"why-we-escape-paperback","title":"Why We Escape - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eJohn Graham\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy do we escape from ourselves?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhy do people turn to alcohol, drugs, pornography, gambling, food, work, relationships, screens or other compulsive behaviours when life becomes painful or overwhelming?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhy We Escape\u003c\/em\u003e explores addiction with compassion and psychological depth. Rather than reducing addiction to bad choices or weakness, John Graham looks beneath the surface to the shame, trauma, emotional pain, loneliness and inner conflict that can drive the search for relief.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDrawing on lived experience, recovery, counselling and psychotherapy, the book explores how addictive behaviours can develop as attempts to change difficult internal states - to quieten anxiety, soften shame, escape emotional pain, feel more confident, find connection or simply get through the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe book considers themes including: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eaddiction as an attempt to regulate emotional distress\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eshame, trauma and self-worth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erelief, reward and the self-medication process\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ealcohol and drug dependence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003egambling and behavioural addictions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epornography and compulsive sexual behaviour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003egaming, social media and digital escape\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eattachment, loneliness and the need for connection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003einner conflict and parts-based understanding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTwelve Step recovery\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erelapse and the return to familiar coping strategies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003etherapy, recovery and the development of a more meaningful life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eThroughout the book, the emphasis is on understanding what the addictive behaviour is doing for the person.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe central question becomes not only: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"What are you addicted to?\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ebut also: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"What does the addiction do for you?\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnderstanding this does not remove personal responsibility. It gives responsibility somewhere useful to begin.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWritten for people in recovery, family members, sponsors and sponsees, counsellors, psychotherapists, addiction professionals and anyone interested in why human beings seek escape, \u003cem\u003eWhy We Escape\u003c\/em\u003e offers a compassionate and accessible exploration of addiction, inner pain and the search for relief.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecovery is not only about stopping the escape. It is also about creating a life we no longer need to escape from.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 184\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.42 x 9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 13, 2026\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67894285369502,"sku":"9781911812029","price":25.34,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7748\/8030\/files\/oQkcA-RVZx9781911812029.webp?v=1793483430","url":"https:\/\/theword.com\/products\/why-we-escape-paperback","provider":"TheWord.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}