American Drug Addict: a memoir

This book was a roller-coaster start to finish and I mostly enjoyed it. If half of what he says is true, it's a sad retelling of a disastrous life, from an off-and-on (mostly on) drug addict (and who claimed to be clean when he wrote this). This is a sharp, poignant, emotional retelling of the crazed antics of somebody hooked on multiple illegal drugs including meth, heroin, alcohol and the crazy lifestyle that almost inevitable accompanies the life of a drug fiend.

Some of the stuff in here does not ring true, but if even half of it is real it's still more then enough to enliven this tale of slow but steady personal destruction. The author mostly writes with great skill - but why the author felt it necessary to include endless song lyrics as a way of describing his life at various stages, is baffling to me. All of that should have been edited out since it just doesn't work with the narrative. But, ignore the stupid song lyrics and the whole story is a lesson, and a warning about the very real dangers of high-powered drugs.

A powerfully written story. A very real look at drug addiction and its destruction. Brett Douglas has a gift for storytelling, and as a master of foreshadowing, keeps this book in your hands till the very last page

A remarkable view inside the thoughts, experiences, failures and losses of a substance user over decades of business success to ultimately loosing everything. The author is a college graduate with business and computer skills. Although abusing high doses of prescription and illicit drugs, his intelligence and skill avoided arrest and prosecution while maintaining two successful businesses as a "respected" member of the community. Eventually the decades of poly-substance use led to some of the worst consequences we hear and read about in our cities and communities. As a professor who teaches psychopharmacology to licensed professional counseling students, this book is highly recommended to the counseling community to reveal the inner mindset that drives chronic addiction.

One of the most candid and heart wrenching books I have read on the disease of addiction. Brett is painfully honest in describing the hellish life that goes along with addiction. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is struggling, as well as anyone who has a loved one caught in the grips of drug or alcohol abuse.

I personally know this fabulous author. He has been brutally open & honest. His willingness to truthfully tell his history and recovery is refreshing. No sugar coating. When he says, "alcohol is a drug", it is. Read this book over & over because it helps anyone to know themselves.

Way too many words, thoughts, and ideas to describe this book. Awesome. Funny as heck! Tawdry, delicious, delightful. Thank you Mr . Douglas for writing your book. I thought I was the only person on the planet that could describe myself as a chameleon. Hmmm, guess I'm not so special after all.
Did I mention how much I enjoyed this book?

I have read so many memoirs that center on addiction I must admit this book is by far my favorite. The writer is so talented at telling a story strikes a perfect balance humility and humor which gives him a unique ability to tell his story which is very tragic at times but remains upbeat and hopeful. And even at the darkest chapters. The writer inser
ts brilliant moments of comic relief .

I chose this rating because the book moved quickly and I was interested in what would happen next. Author had interesting insights on what he needed to do to change his life. He was able to inject a lot of humour into the story and describe the absurdity of situations. May be interesting to anyone wanting to make changes.

Was very well written and easy to read and follow along. I love memoirs focusing on addiction because i can usually relate in some way and i enjoy seeing how other people successfully made it to the other side.

I am in recovery and have recently been addicted to recovery memoirs, listening to them in my car on Audible. Even though Brett talked about the glory days he also brought it back down to earth showing that addiction is an awful, unyielding truth. He was honest and descriptive as any author of a memoir should be. Thank you Brett. You have touched my life. Kelley

Thank you for sharing your story! This story takes you to depths of understanding the mind of an addict. If you've ever had a loved one fall into addiction and wondered what their twisted mind ponders this may be as close to the truth as some of us will get unfortunately. But somehow it's brought me a sense of closure and understanding. Thank you so much!

I am a recovering addict. I really enjoyed how the author led us through his life and how he became an addict. Then how he was able to recover from his addiction. He gives his life story starting at an early age though his drug addiction and now how he pulled away from it . I am glad he is recovering just as I am. Not too many people would make their life public for all their family and friends to read about. I admire his courage! Sincerely Tommy

As an addict that has been in recovery for nearly two years this book articulated the thoughts and feelings that I have been trying to find the words for in years. I would recommend this book to any one struggling with addiction. If you are the addict you will surely relate but if you are the loved one of an addict it may bring some insight. Well written, funny, sad, and brutally honest. I'd give it 10 stars if I could.

As a practicing alcoholic I can relate to this honest and brutal portrayal of substance abuse. The author truly captures the shame, guilt, angst and frustration, not to mention destruction , that addiction causes. Addiction sucks out your soul.

Having never been a drug user, I found this story a fascinating glimpse into the real world of addiction. The author held nothing back, plus, he made me laugh out loud several times! I wish him the best.

Tough read if you love an addict Brett is actually a very lucky person because there were so many times he walked away from disaster. My favorite message was his statement that as an athiest, God had to give him a disease to prove God's existance i sincerly hope Brett continues to find peace and real happiness

Whether you suffer from drug addiction or know someone who does, this book will hit home. If you don't know anything about drug addiction, you will quickly find out what it can do to a person, a family, a lifestyle. A must-read.

I loved the style of writing and the brutal honesty in this book. I'm glad the book ended the way it did, because from the grim lows the autobiography described, it could have easily ended a different way. Kudos to Brett.

What an amazing book! I worked in the mental health and substance abuse fields. I've trained master's level interns, substance abuse counselors, pre-doctoral interns and postdoctoral residents. If I was currently teaching, I would make this required reading for my students. A number of people in the mental health field do not understand substance abuse and addiction. However, this book tells it as it is. It is clear, to-the-point, and shows how difficult it is to break the cycle of addiction. Everything I would try to teach my students about this vicious cycle is well demonstrated by Brett Douglas' honesty and willingness to share his vulnerability through these difficult times. This is a must read for not only professionals, but for those struggling with addiction, as well as their loved ones who struggle as well! Thank you, Brett.

What an amazing book! I worked in the mental health and substance abuse fields. I've trained master's level interns, substance abuse counselors, pre-doctoral interns and postdoctoral residents. If I was currently teaching, I would make this required reading for my students. A number of people in the mental health field do not understand substance abuse and addiction. However, this book tells it as it is. It is clear, to-the-point, and shows how difficult it is to break the cycle of addiction. Everything I would try to teach my students about this vicious cycle is well demonstrated by Brett Douglas' honesty and willingness to share his vulnerability through these difficult times. This is a must read for not only professionals, but for those struggling with addiction, as well as their loved ones who struggle as well! Thank you, Brett.

Very well written, very honest, and very funny.

"The Sh*t I know to be true section." are better and more informative than most memoirs today.

Excellent read, highly recommended, and hard to put down!

This book left me feeling uncomfortably numb; but i didn't leave a page unturned. I have a son in his early 20s and wish I could get him to "be still" long enough to read this book. I get this....its sad