Book recs for understanding addictive personalities

[Anonymous]

My daughter's father is an addict. He drinks, has been hooked on drugs in the past, etc. We broke up after I found out I was pregnant (I knew he drank but I never knew he was an addict and also has taken drugs in the past) and had the decision been left up to him, he would've chosen an abortion. He rarely sees our daughter and shows little interest in her. He was pretty involved when she was a baby though which was a lot of help. I grew up w/ an alcoholic father who is a lot like him (very selfish, etc). Just wondering if anyone can recommend some reading about addicts? I don't have time to go to Al-Anon or a similar group (no money for a babysitter). My entire life is devoted to my daughter. I am doing the job of being 2 parents and some days I feel very bitter about this (even though I try not think it since it was my choice to have my daughter). He says his father was an alcoholic so ..... Yeah, well so was mine and you don't see me out there getting drunk everyday. I would just like to understand addiction a bit more. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Here's one on addiction/addictive personality.

http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Addictive-Personality-Yourself-Relationships/dp/1587613158/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240308827&sr=1-2

One thing you might seriously explore for yourself, however, is codependency. My GRANDparents were alcoholics, but their family dynamic instilled very bad habits that continue to this day in my adult household. It's often very difficult to identify, let alone correct habitual types of dysfunctional interactions you have with family members. My grandparents' dysfunction is ingrained in me because of family habits. I'm doing my best not to pass this stuff on to my kids. But it takes constant self-awareness. If you have any of these issues, can identify them, and then correct them, it will make your relationships with everyone in your life -- functional and dysfunction -- much easier.

http://www.amazon.com/New-Codependency-Guidance-Todays-Generation/dp/1439101922/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240308950&sr=1-3