Pia Mellody creates a framework for recognizing addictive thinking, emotions, and behaviors, providing an effective approach to recovery. Mellody identifies five primary symptoms affecting adults suffering from this debilitating condition, tracing their origins to emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical, and sexual abuse occurring in childhood. Central to Mellody's approach is the idea that the wounded inner child of the addicted adult needs healing. The process of recovery from addiction, therefore, involves releasing the toxic emotions left over from these painful childhood experiences.