The Craving Mind cover art

The Craving Mind

From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love - Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits

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The Craving Mind

By: Judson Brewer, Jon Kabat-Zinn - foreward
Narrated by: P. J. Ochlan
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About this listen

We are all vulnerable to addiction. Whether it's a compulsion to constantly check social media, binge eating, smoking, excessive drinking, or any other behaviors, we may find ourselves uncontrollably repeating. Why are bad habits so hard to overcome? Is there a key to conquering the cravings we know are unhealthy for us?

This book provides groundbreaking answers to the most important questions about addiction. Dr. Judson Brewer, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who has studied the science of addictions for 20 years, reveals how we can tap into the very processes that encourage addictive behaviors in order to step out of them. He describes the mechanisms of habit and addiction formation, then explains how the practice of mindfulness can interrupt these habits.

Weaving together patient stories, his own experience with mindfulness practice, and current scientific findings from his own lab and others, Dr. Brewer offers a path for moving beyond our cravings, reducing stress, and ultimately living a fuller life.

©2017 Judson Brewer (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Addiction & Recovery Aging & Longevity Mental Health Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Smoking & Tobacco Spirituality Meditation Smoking Mindfulness Tobacco Habits Business Health Substance abuse Self Love Smart Recovery
All stars
Most relevant
Interesting to hear about the science behind it, and real life applications. Too much about Buddhism for me.

Very Buddhist

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This book contains the tools you need to understand why you do the things you do, even when you know they are not good for you. Whether it's shopping, substances, relationships or just bad habits, if you continue to repeat things that you know are causing you pain then you are an addict. I now feel empowered to break the cycle.

Life changing

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I discovered Judson Brewer on a Michael Gervais podcast and was so impressed I then devoured everything I could find of him on YouTube while I waited for the printed version of this book. I struggled to find the time at home to read so bought the audible subscription for my long work commute. I was so excited to finally be able to get into this book but unfortunately I found the guy narrating it excruciating to listen to. I never got used to it so it was like nails on a blackboard for the entire book. His reading style is stilted and wooden. The person who gave him the job needs to be put in a room and made to listen to all the books he's narrated back to back as punishment. The fact that I stuck with the book is testament to the content. If you struggle with addiction in any form please, please, please get this book. Dr Brewer doesn't disappoint. Its such a shame his narrator does.

Excellent content but painful narrator

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This is a great book. Fascinating and useful. And I really wish that the reading suited the book. For me as an Australian I found the reader’s voice mismatched Judson’s own writerly voice. I heard him speak on the Sam Harris waking up app and found this reading jarring compared to judson’s natural charismatic voice.

I wish Judson had read this himself with his beautiful voice.

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Loved this book, and highly recommend. am going to buy a hard copy. Didnt like the narrator that much though

Absolutely loved this book

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Unbearable narrator. No mention of trauma related addiction. Offensive co-option of Buddhist philosophy to support a single explanation for addiction as trigger, behaviour, reward.

Too simplistic

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from the minute I started listening I couldn't stand the narrator... cross between a robot and a computer voice... but I persevered to try to find the interesting parts - the book was all over the place so i struggled with the relevance of a lot of it. I skipped a lot to even finish it... I never write reviews but this was so awful. ultimately I don't think there were even any take away tools from this as another reader promised... I will be returning it - listening for as long as I did was like pulling teeth

8 hours of my life I can never get back

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What you'll learn from this book:
1) Our behavior is the result of Operant Conditioning.
2) Cravings can be managed through mindful Recognition of the Craving, Acceptance of the Craving, Investigation of the Craving, then Noting the Craving (RAIN).
3) Eight hours of vaguely related anecdotes to really drive points 1 & 2 home.

A book-long version of a blog post.

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I felt like this book focused a bit too much on social media and smoking. I felt there was a bit of a pessimistic attitude underlying it and it became repetitive pretty quickly.

I did enjoy the storytelling and laughed at some of the analogies and stories that were told. I also had some ‘aha!’ Moments throughout the book too!

Not for me

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.