Breaking the Chains Second Edition

Addiction work is never only about a substance. It is about behaviour, trauma, relationships, mental health, risk, accountability and the conditions that make change possible.

In this completely revised and updated second edition, Seán O'Connor draws on more than two decades of experience across addiction, mental health, criminal justice and behaviour change to provide a practical and contemporary guide for professionals working in Ireland and the UK.

This book explores:

• how addiction develops and what keeps it going
• assessment, formulation and risk
• alcohol, drugs, behavioural addictions and the changing 2026 landscape
• motivational interviewing, CBT, ACT, DBT and relapse prevention
• harm reduction, naloxone, medication and detoxification
• trauma, co-occurring mental health difficulties and recovery capital
• criminal justice, prison, homelessness, family work, safeguarding and ethics
• practical tools that can be used in real-world practice

Clear, grounded and practice-focused, Breaking the Chains is written for addiction counsellors, psychotherapists, probation and criminal justice practitioners, community workers, students and other professionals supporting people affected by addiction.

About the Author

Seán O'Connor is a behaviour-change specialist, addiction practitioner, author and founder of Drive Aware. He has worked across addiction services, mental health, criminal justice, public service leadership and professional training.