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[crowlep]

Does anyone know any good books about addiction? I'm not trying to find an addiction, and I don't need a book to break any addictions, I'm looking for books about being an addict and then eventually not being an addict quite so much. Any suggestions?

Comments

[crowlep]

It shall be acquired, then. I've read Stephen King's (much abbreviated) account of alcohol and cocaine dependency, but only through the frame of what his family did in reaction, and then there was a lot of "Man, I can't believe how stupid I was." No shit, asshole. I want to know what it felt like. I know what nicotine is like. I know what booze is like. I want to know what it's like to be so thoroughly addicted to something that you'd contemplate robbing a bank. Or writing Cujo.

David Sedaris touches on it from time to time, but he's usually so glib in his examinations of his own personal demons that you don't get the tension.

I am still waiting to hear about your collection of short stories, by the way. I am interested and want to hear more. You have my email address.

[geobabe1]

If only I were still in touch with my ex-fiance. He robbed a Domino's store (one he used to work at) to support his cocaine habit. He went to rehab as a condition of parole and is still clean AFAIK.

Actually, there's a funny bit that goes with that story. I was looking through my high school yearbook, and he pointed to one picture and said, "He testified at my trial." I said, "I've known that guy since the fifth grade!" Not long after that, a few of my old friends, including this fellow, were in town and we all got together. As I was introducing my fiance around, when I got to him, I said, "I believe you two know each other."

Ah, good times.

[enigmania]

Don't know books, but do know people. Well, Uwe does - half a dozen dead/in jail/in recovery, he says, if hearing their stories would be of any use.

[crowlep]

I appreciate the offer, but one of the reasons I like books (memoirs, autobiographies, whatever) is that I don't feel nearly so guilty about what amounts to parroting someone's pain for one of my characters. Talking to one of Uwe's friends or colleagues, or even Uwe, even if I had explicit permission, would feel like I was denigrating (if I can say that without sounding too pompous) what they went through/are going through. I'm trying to make money off of this book, and if I do that through using such a personal experience that someone else had, I'd feel like I did them a disservice.

Also, I don't like most people. Books are easier to throw around.

[enigmania]

Fair enough; I'll let you know if any books come to mind.

But people are so fascinating. And throwing books around is Wrong!

Permanent Midnight

[surok75]

by Jerry Stahl.

Not sure if it's still in print. A movie was made of it starring (I think) Ben Stiller, which I never saw.

The book has some excellent scenes in it which you might find useful/ interesting.