Never Enough

A former drug addict turned behavioural neuroscientist reveals how drugs work in the brain — and what we can do to fight addiction. Judith Grisel was a daily drug user when she began to consider that her addiction might have a cure, one that she herself could perhaps discover by studying the brain. Now, after twenty-five years as a neuroscientist, she shares what she and other scientists have learned about addiction, enriched by captivating glimpses of her personal journey. In Never Enough , Grisel reveals the unfortunate bottom line of all regular drug use: there is no such thing as a free lunch. All drugs act on the brain in a way that diminishes their enjoyable effects and creates unpleasant ones with repeated use. Delving into the science of one of the world’s most pressing health problems, she reveals what is different about the brains of addicts even before they first pick up a drink or drug, and highlights the changes that take place in the brain and behaviour as a result of chronic using. With compassion and clarity, Grisel describes what drove her to addiction, what helped her recover, and her belief that a ‘cure’ for addiction will not be found in our individual brains but in the way we interact with our communities.

A former drug addict turned behavioural neuroscientist reveals how drugs work in the brain — and what we can do to fight addiction. Judith Grisel was a daily drug user when she began to consider that her addiction might have a cure, one that she herself could perhaps discover by studying the brain. Now, after twenty-five years as a neuroscientist, she shares what she and other scientists have learned about addiction, enriched by captivating glimpses of her personal journey. In Never Enough , Grisel reveals the unfortunate bottom line of all regular drug use: there is no such thing as a free lunch. All drugs act on the brain in a way that diminishes their enjoyable effects and creates unpleasant ones with repeated use. Delving into the science of one of the world’s most pressing health problems, she reveals what is different about the brains of addicts even before they first pick up a drink or drug, and highlights the changes that take place in the brain and behaviour as a result of chronic using. With compassion and clarity, Grisel describes what drove her to addiction, what helped her recover, and her belief that a ‘cure’ for addiction will not be found in our individual brains but in the way we interact with our communities.

It's a simple enough transaction. Marisol needs the money, and I need a nice girl to parade in front of the cameras. No feelings. No strings. No falling for anyone. I've been clean for months, but my record company's not satisfied. Apparently it isn't enough to only kick a heroin addiction - they're insisting that I find a girlfriend as well. If I don't, they pull Dirtshine's massive record deal. It's supposed to show that I've changed my ways, that I've turned over a new leaf, all that rubbish. But I've had it with suit-wearing wankers telling me what I'm to do, so I'm on the verge of telling them to go f*ck themselves. And then she shows up. Marisol locks me out of my own concert by accident. She's wearing a suit at a rock show, searching for her lost law school textbook, has no idea who I am... ...and for the first time in years, I'm hooked. She's smart, driven, and utterly gorgeous. The sort of girl who earnestly believes in following the rules and hates when others don't. I'm a huge rock star, recovering addict, and general f*ckup. Our relationship is for show, and that's all. But with every smile, every laugh, and every breathtaking glance at her curves, I want her more. Two months is all we agreed to. But it's never going to be enough.

It's a simple enough transaction. Marisol needs the money, and I need a nice girl to parade in front of the cameras. No feelings. No strings. No falling for anyone. I've been clean for months, but my record company's not satisfied. Apparently it isn't enough to only kick a heroin addiction - they're insisting that I find a girlfriend as well. If I don't, they pull Dirtshine's massive record deal. It's supposed to show that I've changed my ways, that I've turned over a new leaf, all that rubbish. But I've had it with suit-wearing wankers telling me what I'm to do, so I'm on the verge of telling them to go f*ck themselves. And then she shows up. Marisol locks me out of my own concert by accident. She's wearing a suit at a rock show, searching for her lost law school textbook, has no idea who I am... ...and for the first time in years, I'm hooked. She's smart, driven, and utterly gorgeous. The sort of girl who earnestly believes in following the rules and hates when others don't. I'm a huge rock star, recovering addict, and general f*ckup. Our relationship is for show, and that's all. But with every smile, every laugh, and every breathtaking glance at her curves, I want her more. Two months is all we agreed to. But it's never going to be enough.

National heart throb and star of the Staying Relevant podcast Pete Wicks shares the journey that has seen him overcome grief, mental health trials and challenges and burst on to our screens. 'Loved the book and now I'm in love with Pete' - 5* READER REVIEW Behind the humour, swearing, dogs and nonsense, Never Enough is a no-holds-barred account of life through Pete Wicks' lens. He shares his mental health challenges and approach to life - starting with his journey as a 16-year-old who had the words 'NEVER ENOUGH' tattooed across his body, a marker of a time of anger and sadness, but also of his struggles with self-worth. Still very much a work-in-progress, Pete reveals the lessons he has learned: the good, the bad and the ugly. He calls time on toxic positivity, the damaging impact of social media, the pressures of masculinity and our desire to remain relevant - opening up about grief, love and friendship along the way.

National heart throb and star of the Staying Relevant podcast Pete Wicks shares the journey that has seen him overcome grief, mental health trials and challenges and burst on to our screens. 'Loved the book and now I'm in love with Pete' - 5* READER REVIEW Behind the humour, swearing, dogs and nonsense, Never Enough is a no-holds-barred account of life through Pete Wicks' lens. He shares his mental health challenges and approach to life - starting with his journey as a 16-year-old who had the words 'NEVER ENOUGH' tattooed across his body, a marker of a time of anger and sadness, but also of his struggles with self-worth. Still very much a work-in-progress, Pete reveals the lessons he has learned: the good, the bad and the ugly. He calls time on toxic positivity, the damaging impact of social media, the pressures of masculinity and our desire to remain relevant - opening up about grief, love and friendship along the way.

"Like going to business school and therapy all in one book." --James Clear, New York Times Bestselling Author, Atomic Habits Once a barista in a small cafe making $6.50 an hour, Andrew Wilkinson built a business valued at over a billion dollars by the time he was 36--and yet, his path to success was anything but a straight line. In Never Enough , Wilkinson pulls back the curtain on the lives of the ultra-rich, sharing insights into building a successful business that has been called a "Berkshire Hathaway, but for internetcompanies," and a surprising first-person account of what it's actually like to become a billionaire. Never Enough features both the lessons Wilkinson has learned as well as the many mistakes made on the road to wealth--some of which cost him money, happiness, and important relationships. Taking a "no secrets" approach to stories the wealthy rarely reveal, Wilkinson is unwaveringly honest about some of the unexpected downsides of money: its toxic effect on personal relationships, how the lifestyles of the rich and famous aren't all they're cracked up to be, and how competition with peers leaves everyone--even billionaires--feeling like they never have enough. In this book, you'll discover: A candid glimpse into the lives of the super-rich and what truly matters beyond money Insights on building a successful business from the ground up Lessons learned from the mistakes made on the journey to his fortune The surprising realities of life as a billionaire and the challenges that come with extreme wealth In this rare and deeply honest account, Wilkinson examines his journey to nine zeros, what came after that pinnacled number, and the essential things money can't buy.

"Like going to business school and therapy all in one book." --James Clear, New York Times Bestselling Author, Atomic Habits Once a barista in a small cafe making $6.50 an hour, Andrew Wilkinson built a business valued at over a billion dollars by the time he was 36--and yet, his path to success was anything but a straight line. In Never Enough , Wilkinson pulls back the curtain on the lives of the ultra-rich, sharing insights into building a successful business that has been called a "Berkshire Hathaway, but for internetcompanies," and a surprising first-person account of what it's actually like to become a billionaire. Never Enough features both the lessons Wilkinson has learned as well as the many mistakes made on the road to wealth--some of which cost him money, happiness, and important relationships. Taking a "no secrets" approach to stories the wealthy rarely reveal, Wilkinson is unwaveringly honest about some of the unexpected downsides of money: its toxic effect on personal relationships, how the lifestyles of the rich and famous aren't all they're cracked up to be, and how competition with peers leaves everyone--even billionaires--feeling like they never have enough. In this book, you'll discover: A candid glimpse into the lives of the super-rich and what truly matters beyond money Insights on building a successful business from the ground up Lessons learned from the mistakes made on the journey to his fortune The surprising realities of life as a billionaire and the challenges that come with extreme wealth In this rare and deeply honest account, Wilkinson examines his journey to nine zeros, what came after that pinnacled number, and the essential things money can't buy.

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The definitive book on the rise of "toxic achievement culture" overtaking our kids' and parents' lives, and a new framework for fighting back In the ever more competitive race to secure the best possible future, today's students face unprecedented pressure to succeed. They jam-pack their schedules with AP classes, fill every waking hour with resume-padding activities, and even sabotage relationships with friends to "get ahead." Family incomes and schedules are stretched to the breaking point by tutoring fees and athletic schedules. Yet this drive to optimize performance has only resulted in skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and even self-harm in America's highest achieving schools. Parents, educators, and community leaders are facing the same quandary: how can we teach our kids to strive towards excellence without crushing them? In Never Enough, award-winning reporter Jennifer Breheny Wallace investigates the deep roots of toxic achievement culture, and finds out what we must do to fight back. Drawing on interviews with families, educators, and an original survey of nearly 6,000 parents, she exposes how the pressure to perform is not a matter of parental choice but baked in to our larger society and spurred by increasing income inequality and dwindling opportunities. As a result, children are increasingly absorbing the message that they have no value outside of their accomplishments, a message that is reinforced by the media and greater culture at large. Through deep research and interviews with today's leading child psychologists, Wallace shows what kids need from the adults in the room is not more pressure, but to feel like they matter , and have intrinsic self-worth not contingent upon external achievements. Parents and educators who adopt the language and values of mattering help children see themselves as a valuable contributor to a larger community. And in an ironic twist, kids who receive consistent feedback that they matter no matter what are more likely to have the resilience, self-confidence, and psychological security to thrive. Packed with memorable stories and offering a powerful toolkit for positive change, Never Enough offers an urgent, humane view of the crisis plaguing today's teens and a practical framework for how to help.

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER The definitive book on the rise of "toxic achievement culture" overtaking our kids' and parents' lives, and a new framework for fighting back In the ever more competitive race to secure the best possible future, today's students face unprecedented pressure to succeed. They jam-pack their schedules with AP classes, fill every waking hour with resume-padding activities, and even sabotage relationships with friends to "get ahead." Family incomes and schedules are stretched to the breaking point by tutoring fees and athletic schedules. Yet this drive to optimize performance has only resulted in skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and even self-harm in America's highest achieving schools. Parents, educators, and community leaders are facing the same quandary: how can we teach our kids to strive towards excellence without crushing them? In Never Enough, award-winning reporter Jennifer Breheny Wallace investigates the deep roots of toxic achievement culture, and finds out what we must do to fight back. Drawing on interviews with families, educators, and an original survey of nearly 6,000 parents, she exposes how the pressure to perform is not a matter of parental choice but baked in to our larger society and spurred by increasing income inequality and dwindling opportunities. As a result, children are increasingly absorbing the message that they have no value outside of their accomplishments, a message that is reinforced by the media and greater culture at large. Through deep research and interviews with today's leading child psychologists, Wallace shows what kids need from the adults in the room is not more pressure, but to feel like they matter , and have intrinsic self-worth not contingent upon external achievements. Parents and educators who adopt the language and values of mattering help children see themselves as a valuable contributor to a larger community. And in an ironic twist, kids who receive consistent feedback that they matter no matter what are more likely to have the resilience, self-confidence, and psychological security to thrive. Packed with memorable stories and offering a powerful toolkit for positive change, Never Enough offers an urgent, humane view of the crisis plaguing today's teens and a practical framework for how to help.