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Woman of Substances: A Journey into Addiction and Treatment

The savage seduction of drugs and alcohol, and the art of walking away

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Woman of Substances: A Journey into Addiction and Treatment

By: Jenny Valentish
Narrated by: Imogen Wilde
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About this listen

Journalist Jenny Valentish investigates the female experience of drugs and alcohol, using her own story to light the way.

Mining the expertise of leading researchers, she explores the early predictors of addiction, such as childhood trauma and temperament, and teenage impulsivity.

Drawing on neuroscience, she explains why other self-destructive behaviours - such as eating disorders and high-risk sex - are interchangeable with substance use. Valentish follows the pathways that women take into addiction - and out again. Woman of Substances is a rigorous and brutally honest listen.

©2017 Jenny Valentish (P)2017 W.F. Howes Ltd Addiction & Recovery Alcoholism Social Sciences Health Substance abuse Mental Health
All stars
Most relevant  
This is not a preachy book but rather a fascinating insight into one woman's own battles combined with extensive research into the science of addiction.

Raw, honest and supportive

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This book has taken me up and down on a rollercoaster as I recall my own experiences. It tapped at issues I’d forgotten (awful as they may be) and has given me a feeling of “I’m not the only one” with my own alcohol issues.
I may have the strength to speak about “things” now, however small country towns and AA are not always compatible! I was glad to hear of other options.

Resonating

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This book is well researched, relevant & helpful for anyone looking to explore issues around addiction, particularly alcohol. It felt gritty, real & relatable.

Informative & entertaining

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Well researched and deeply personal. As an addict in recovery I could relate. As a trans person it was so refreshing to be acknowledged.

rewarding read.

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Wow

Thank you for sharing your story.

I found it extremely interesting & informative.

I can appreciate the ways of looking at different addictions/scenarios...with so many perspectives & underlying situations from each person's perspective.

As you & many have said you only truly quit if you're ready....

intriguing Honesty

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Loved this book. So easy to follow and a new approach to these issues that are usually hard to digest.

Entertaining and educational

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As a woman who has substance abuse problems and also exists amongst the established drug policy and harm reduction community I have often struggled with my own narrative. Identity, guilt and false introspection have been my demons. Valentish’s narrative is so closely intertwined with my own- a need for validation as a woman in the music scene, self and outsider influenced victimisation and a lust for adventure and drug induced thrill seeking, it was comforting to hear someone untangle these inner issues I hold. The book is a mix of harm reductionist theory and self reflexive introspection of Valentish delivered warmly by the comforting voice of Imogen Wilde. To anyone (regardless of gender or history) interested in narratives of substance dependence this is a must read. Thanks Jenny.

Incredibly touching

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Loved how she has used her story to make the psychology and the science more interesting. Started getting anxious myself at the thought of finishing it. Probably the first book I will ever listen to twice!!

Loved it!!!!

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Even though I don’t have an addictive personality I found I could relate to a great deal of the issues this book covers. I was surprised and appalled,fascinated and informed...very well written and researched. I loved the narrator ( and will be seeking out more books she has narrated) she made it fun and interesting and humorous to listed too even admits the sometimes heavy issues. informative read... highly recommend it.

Highly recommend this well researched and narrated book

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This is difficult to read in places, because it's honest. I got a lot out of it and thank the author for not pretty I g up a difficult story.

Tough and honest

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