Contents Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction: Why we are writing this book * It's Not a Disease * Overcoming the Effects of Trauma * The Developmental Model of Addiction 1. Addiction as a Developmental Process * Vietnam Veterans' Natural Recovery from Heroin Addiction * Changing the Addict Narrative * Developing Resilience 2. Addictive Experiences * American Painkiller Hysteria * The Campaign against Painkillers * Normal Drug Use * Fear Itself * A Note about Psychedelics * Vulnerability to Addiction * The "Non-Addictive Analgesic" * The Definition and Natural History of Addiction 3. Expanding Life Experience * The Path to Recovery--embrace life and the opportunities and joy it presents * The Life Process Program 4. The Life Process of Children * Doing the Best They Can * Counterwill * The Consequences of Commanding Children * The Childhood Acting-Out Cycle--understanding the rewards of contrariness * Learning Zones vs Mental Disorders 5. Children and Addiction * The Teenage "Addict" * A Case of Childhood Addiction 6. Diseases, Disorders and Self-Fulfilling Prophecies * Positive Psychology 7. Beyond Labeling * Children and Mental Disorders * Zach's Alternative Story * A Note on Accessing Special Resources * Children's Strengths, Grit, and Perseverance 8.

Behavioral Addictions and What They Show Us * Evolving Definitions * On Childhood Addictions 9. Abstinence and Harm Reduction, in Adolescence and Recovery * Harm Reduction and Youthful Drinking * Harm Reduction in Treating Substance Use Problems * Mindfulness Harm Reduction Therapy for Smoking * Harm Reduction for Opioids * Harm Reduction and Childhood-Youthful Drug Problems 10. The Limits of the 12-Step Approach * Why People Refuse--or Drop Out of--AA * Our World Demands Something Better 11. Recovery in the Real World * We Already Know the Truths in This Book but Ignore Them, Part I: Suicide * Answers to Suicide are Complex and Unworkable in America * We Already Know the Truths in This Book but Ignore Them, Part II: Addiction * A Note about Developmental Psychology * SAMHSA's Redefinition of Recovery 12. Raising Our Non-Addicted Next Generation * How to Raise a Child without Your Addiction * Recovery Nation * 12 Values that Prevent Addiction 13. Developing Purpose, Efficacy, and Independence * Purpose, Purpose, Purpose * The Nearly Century-Long Terman Study * Assisting People to Find Purpose * Efficacy and Empowerment * On Being a Parent--Inspiring Independence * Overselling Trauma--The Fearful Society * Fostering Purpose, Self-Empowerment, and Joy 14. Overcoming Addiction * Relapse and Purposelessness * Meaning, Purpose, and Joy in Adulthood 15. Conclusion: The American Delusion * Community, Community, Community * Truth Seeking Appendix A: Readers' Exercises by Chapter Appendix B: Parents' Addiction and Development Manual Appendix C: The Life Process Program/Family Program Appendix D: Additional Resources References.