July: In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté

This month's book is In the Realms of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction by Gabor Maté. This is an incredibly compassionate and thoughtful book about addiction and how society deals with people who are struggling with addiction, written from the perspective of a doctor working in treatment and harm reduction in Vancouver. The book also discusses addictive behaviours more broadly, and offers some excellent original analysis of what addictive behaviours are normalized in society today, and the underlying psychology that often shapes such behaviours.

Synopsis below:

"In this timely and profoundly original book, writer and physician Gabor Maté looks at the epidemic of various addictions in our society, tells us why we are so prone to them and outlines what is needed to liberate ourselves from their hold. Starting with a dramatically close view of Maté's drug addicted patients, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts weaves in stories of real people while providing a bold synthesis of clinical experience, insight and cutting-edge scientific findings. A haunting, compassionate and deeply personal examination of the nature of addiction."

We will meet at the delightful 33 Acres Brewing. Looking forward to seeing old faces and first time guests. As ever, please try to engage with the subject matter a bit before coming even if you can't finish the book, and please try to be respectful of everyone in attendance - this is an issue that affects a lot of people, so it would be great to discuss with kindness and discretion.

One minor ask - Please, please, please do try to come if you sign up as attending, or change to not attending as soon as possible if you are unable to come. It makes organizing much easier if we know in advance who will actually be able to make it, and if you take up a space on the attending list you stop someone else from being able to come (and deprive the group of an extra opinion!).