In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

A groundbreaking look at addiction and recovery from the bestselling author of The Myth of Normal—the modern self-help classic that reframes everything you were taught about trauma and substance abuse

Addictions always originate in pain, whether felt openly or hidden in the unconscious. In In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, world-renowned physician and trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté offers a transformative approach to understanding substance use disorder, recovery, and the root causes of addictive behavior.

Through compelling case studies, cutting-edge neuropsychiatric research, and clear-eyed analysis, Dr. Maté explores how personal history, emotional development, brain chemistry, social conditions, and structural factors—including unhealed developmental trauma—influence addiction. He advocates for humane, compassionate approaches that focus on whole-person, whole-culture healing, showing how punishment, stigma, and isolation only worsen outcomes.

This #1 international bestseller is essential for:
Readers facing substance use challengesFamilies and caregivers supporting loved ones in active addiction and recoveryMental health professionals, therapists, and researchers exploring trauma-informed careDr. Maté reframes substance use disorder as a response to suffering, not a moral failure. He provides a radical, authoritative path toward understanding, hope, and societal repair. This book equips readers to offer compassionate support, advocate for effective social change, and make sense of addiction—which can be difficult for those who haven’t experienced it firsthand.

Since its original publication in 2010, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts has remained a bedrock for anyone seeking insight into trauma, addiction, and recovery—and continues to lay a path toward hope and true healing.