Im Reich der hungrigen Geister

To heal the addicted, one must return to the beginning.

Dr. Gabor Maté is one of the most recognized experts in addiction psychology worldwide. His groundbreaking insights, gained through decades of work as a physician in Vancouver's drug scene, are changing our perspective on human development, trauma, and uprooting.

In his international bestseller "In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts," he approaches addiction—whether to alcohol, heroin, sex, tobacco, or gambling—with a holistic and compassionate view. He challenges common assumptions that addictive behavior is a phenomenon of weak-willed individuals or a genetic predisposition. On the contrary, it permeates our entire society and can only be understood as a complex interplay of personal history, emotional development, and neurochemical processes.

In his captivating style, Maté weaves the latest findings from neuroscience and extensive social studies with authentic patient stories and societal debates. He takes clear positions, for example, on the legalization of drugs and the decriminalization of addicts.

With Maté, we learn that the first step toward healing lies in empathetic self-awareness. His hungry ghosts will forever change our view of ourselves, our fellow humans, and the world.

“A moving, controversial, and multifaceted look at the backgrounds of addictive behavior. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts reads not only as a vivid analysis of the physical and psychological causes of drug addiction but also leads directly into the heart of the author himself.” - The Globe and Mail.