This book offers solutions to anyone who has felt victimized, ostracized or left behind by life. Why does happiness always seem to elude certain people? And why, when these same people seem to be on the cusp of achieving happiness, do they sabotage themselves? This is the first book about addiction to misery, a common but subtle problem that keeps many people from responding to counseling or therapy, healing from old hurts, and experiencing fulfillment and joy. For people who are addicted to misery, happiness itself is frightening and threatening. As a result, every joy must be equalized by a setback. Too much success must be balanced by failure. People who are addicted to misery try to protect themselves against feeling bad by not feeling too good. For them, happiness itself triggers a pattern of decisions and behaviors that leads to emotional pain - pain that is comforting in its familiarity. Because of the subtlety and contradictions of an addiction to misery, many talented therapists and counselors may not recognize it and those who have it often unable to see through it. When Misery is Company not only explains the problem, it offers a practical, step-by-step program for overcoming it-and living a life of joy and fulfillment.