This four time award-winning book invites you on a redemptive and uplifting exploration of addiction and recovery. While exploring common themes and challenges in recovery with mindfulness and self-compassion, you'll discover the spiritual and psychological gifts residing in the midst of—and as a result of intimately being with—these challenges. As addiction is everywhere in our modern, globalized world, Dr. Bucklew—who is himself in long term recovery—invites us not to stigmatize or narrowly define it. Whether we turn to alcohol, substances, food, screens, or compulsive thought, at the heart of all addiction lies the same dynamic: an unseen and clenching resistance to the present moment. When we slow down enough to feel into this resistance, we find that it underlies and permeates most aspects of our waking lives. My friend, you are not alone. The Hidden Gifts of Addiction shows that as addiction is a natural, unconscious process of resistance, recovery is a process as well. Recovery is revealed as a loving, moment-by-moment, embrace of resistance. Although we may intuitively feel this to be true, putting it to practice in our daily lives is another matter. This book serves as a companion to you along the way as you do just that. While reading, you’ll learn to develop self-compassion, and see how meditative inquiry can shine light on trauma, and other challenging core emotions that can feed more overt addictive patterns. You’ll explore the role of the body in recovery, and see how to relax your identification with addictive thinking patterns. You’ll also find that it's safe to really listen to and trust yourself on your absolutely unique journey of recovery. Most importantly, The Hidden Gifts of Addiction invites you to see that you do not need to wait years to feel better. Health, happiness, and the peace you yearn for are in large part the life-blood of this moment. 2021 Living Now Book Awards Winner: As 2021 "Books for Better Living" gold medal winner in the category of Self-Help, the work is recognized, amongst international titles, to be 'life-changing and exceptional'. Previous winners of Living Now awards in the last couple years include diverse figures such as Jane Goodall, Marianne Williamson, and Loch Kelly. 2020 Nautilus Book Awards Winner: As a prestigious 2020 Better Books for a Better World silver medal winner in Personal Development, the work is recognized to be "of exceptional merit, making a literary and heartfelt contribution to spiritual growth, conscious living, high-level wellness, and positive social change." Previous winners of Nautilus Book Awards include such diverse figures as Eckhart Tolle, Thich Nhat Hanh, Desmond Tutu, Dr. Andrew Weil, Deepak Chopra, the Dalai Lama, and Barbara Kingsolver. Two-time 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist in the categories of Inspirational, and Mind, Body, and Spirit. The Next Generation Indie Book Awards, which the media has called "the Sundance of the publishing world", is the world's largest independently published book competition, "recognizing and honoring exceptional books". "Most of us are addicted to one thing or another, and Victor Bucklew shows us a way to healing and freedom that is grounded in self-acceptance and self-compassion. Beautifully written, this magnificent book is rich with heartfelt encouragement, soulful wisdom, and suggestions for everyday life." - Rick Hanson, PhD, NYT bestselling author of Neurodharma: New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness, and Buddha's Brain "...This isn't just a book about heroin or alcohol addiction, but also about the much subtler forms of addiction that everyone experiences to some degree. It invites an open meditative exploration rooted in gentle curiosity, present moment awareness, and love. I greatly appreciate Bucklew's open-minded, open-hearted approach and his recognition that everyone has a unique path of recovery. This is a book to savor and reflect upon, not to rush through. It's a beautiful book that I highly recommend." - Joan Tollifson , author, Nothing to Grasp and Bare Bones Meditation " As Victor Bucklew writes so beautifully, "Through finally meeting our experiences with honesty and love, we may notice a sense of ourselves that is deeper than any story, emotion, or thought we may be having. We may notice whether the part that has let go has opened up space for noticing what has always been here. And once opened, the connection with the presence of this moment, a deeper aspect of who we are, always remains. It is this aspect of ourselves that is innately healing". - Sharon Salzberg , NYT bestselling author of Real Love " The Hidden Gifts of Addiction is a remarkable book - an invitation to healing, brimming with encouragement, trust, and hope. I've seldom read a book so inviting, reassuring, and hopeful. With his call to courage, Victor Bucklew continuously engages the reader with his profound co