Join us on Friday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at the home of Lanny Commeree and Kathy Fosnaugh for a discussion of the WUUC Nonfiction Book selection. We will meet to discuss “Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction” by Maia Szalavitz.

Four times a year, the WUUC Book Discussion Group gathers to read and talk about a nonfiction book.  You only attend the meetings about books that interest you, so we end up with a different group of participants every time.  We meet on a Friday evening to connect, share a meal, and talk about a book in depth.  Anyone is welcome to suggest a book and/or lead a discussion.  Contact Alaine, alaine.davis@yahoo.com, to RSVP, suggest a book, or offer to host a future discussion.

Maia Szalavitz is a fabulous writer who has penned a wonderful, very forward-thinking book about addiction. She introduces us to some new theories about addiction, several of which may have people re-examining the way they’ve thought about one of the most prevalent and deadliest problems in America today.  Szalavitz sets out to show that addiction isn’t a choice or moral failing. “But it’s not a chronic, progressive brain disease like Alzheimer’s, either,” she notes. “Instead, addiction is a developmental disorder—a problem involving timing and learning, more similar to autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and dyslexia than it is to mumps or cancer.” Yes, Szalavitz is blazing new trails here.

Looking at addiction as a learning disorder may seem strange to some, but Szalavitz states that doing so “allows us to answer many previously perplexing questions.” And in “Unbroken Brain,” Szalavitz — who is 25+ years in recovery from cocaine and heroin addiction herself — tells us how learning is a part of every aspect of addiction, oftentimes drawing upon her personal experience to illustrate her points.

There are so many interesting and thought-provoking topics covered in this book. If you or someone you love has been touched by addiction, or if you’re just interested in this fascinating subject, I cannot recommend Unbroken Brain highly enough. This book contains a wealth of information, but Maia Szalavitz presents it in an organized manner while writing in a clear and understandable voice. Trust me: You will not be bombarded with a bunch of scientific language that you don’t understand.
– Dean Dauphinais, The Huffington Post