An excellent new resource on addiction. The authors successfully provide the reader with an easy to access insight into the psychology of addiction and recovery that simultaneously offers a comprehensive and detailed deconstruction of key research and theorising on the topic. An essential read for students wanting to develop their knowledge as well as subject matter specialists and practitioners looking to expand their already existing knowledge about the latest empirical and theoretical developments.

As this book shows, a positive psychological approach to addiction focuses on building strengths, resilience, and well-being to help individuals, not just recover from their addictions, but also flourish and thrive. In contrast to traditional methods that often focus on reducing deficits and harm, it offers the hope, optimism, and personal agency that can empower individuals to envision a future beyond sobriety. With addiction associated with dependency, positive psychology also cultivates independence and self-reliance, which is especially important for anyone vulnerable to the increasing challenges we can all be faced with today.

The book is the first to apply Positive Psychology to the field of addiction and, in particular, links its application to mental health in its broadest sense. The book will, in my opinion, become required reading for all those dealing with one of the greatest challenges to society in the world today. The authors, as leading figures in their respective fields of Positive Psychology and Addiction, provide a comprehensive, evidence-based account, written in an authoritative, but very accessible style.

The importance of recovery from addiction and the novel idea of “recovery protection” are captured uniquely through a blend of lived experience and academic insight into what works from the Positive Psychological approaches the book presents – the first of its kind. The G-CHIME model not only suggests a new way of thinking about addiction recovery but provides a set of service user friendly interventions with hints and tips that make them easy to navigate and implement in ways that are potentially life changing for those that use them. It is a pleasure to recommend this book.

This book will give the reader an exclusive opportunity to experience the emergence of a novel approach to positive psychology. By bringing positive psychology and addiction together the authors connect what seem to be two opposites. However, by adding recovery the equation make sense and open up for a brand-new approach, positive psychology and addiction recovery.

Lisa Ogilvie is a chartered psychologist and counsellor specializing in the applied use of positive psychology in the field of addiction recovery. Lisa has established the G-CHIME model of recovery along with a unique program of work using this model, known as Positive Addiction Recovery Therapy.

Jerome Carson is Professor of Psychology at the University of Bolton, UK. He is the editor-in-chief of the Emerald Journal Mental Health and Social Inclusion and along with Dr Michelle Tytherleigh he is the series co-editor for Positive Psychology in Practice.