Brave story but overwritten

I have mixed emotions on this book. I am proud that the author was brave enough to honestly detail her battle with addiction. This part deserves 5 stars. My struggle was how egotistical, self centered, and obsessed the author was as well as how overwritten the book was. She is an excellent writer but it kinda lost my interest at times due to being a bit dry.

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Lack of self responsibility

This woman blames everyone in her life for her problems but takes zero responsibility for her own actions

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Long Drunkaloug But Well Defined

I picked this book because I myself have been in recovery for several years.  Thanks to a 12 step program that I was willing to go to any length for and a Higher Power who has not only saved my life more times then I can count, but removed the obsession to drink alcohol somewhere between the 1st and 3rd step.

My thoughts on Erika's book,  by chapter 20 was that its the longest drunkalouge I've ever heard. I myself was sick for a very long time and the disease of alcoholism progressed into my 40's. What upsets me is the author did not actually work the program until the very end and then provides only a glimpse into her step-work. She also convoluted phrases she heard in the rooms or her treatment stints as if they were actually part of this particular program.  "Playing the tape forward" is just one phrase or slogan she attributes to the program, which is incorrect. "Triggers" a treatment term absolutely- is not part of the basic text either and I believe to be harmful to newcomers who are still holding onto a reason they drink when it is stated in the text (which is the program) that once an invisible line has been crossed, the alcoholic has lost the power of choice or control and that a complete psychic change is needed by a Higher Power (something greater than the alcoholic themself) to recover from alcohol.
  
I can only hope that she changed the names of the people that gave their time to her freely as to not break their own anonymity. As far as breaking the anonymity of the program itself, that is obvious and why I'm writing this review. Had I never heard of this specific 12 step program, I would've been confused and not sure I would've even tried it out.  There are many ways to get sober,  and each person's journey is different.  I , like the author tried everything before I finally surrendered to the program at 39 years of age , but the key,  the absolute necessity to stop drinking, is to take action and get in the steps as soon as possible.  This saved my life and has given me a life beyond my wildest dreams. I have recovered.  Our disease is not about the drink itself but the fact that we can't live sober.  So alcohol is actually our solution to our restless and discontent selves.  The 12 steps gives us simple instructions on how to live life,  add it works! But as the author proved at the end,  you have to actually work it. I wish she'd done more research so that she could find that what she hears in the rooms is not always the true program. 12 Step programs have NO opinions on whether you take medication, and in none of the conference approved literature does it say "Meeting makers make it". Meetings are a small part of 12 step recovery programs. I'm glad the author finally found what works for her.  But her experience is HERS and hers only and does not reflect what the basic text of any 12 step recovery program states clearly in black and white.  Treatment centers are huge money makers, grab yourself what the author calls "Big Book Thumpers" and I promise you won't have to live in alcoholic hell anymore. 

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One of the better Alcohol Addiction Memoirs

Erica's story is absolutely heartbreaking. She did an excellent job detailing her childhood and all life events that led up to her Addiction. Her numerous relapses had me gasping out loud. I can totally relate to her experience with the egomaniacal Sponsor who felt she wasn't working the Program correctly. That is a huge problem in AA. Although, I question Erica's decision to spend time in bars because that's where her friends hang out. To me, that is not wise when there are so many other things you can do with friends that don't involve Alcohol. Maybe, she just meant she doesn't avoid bars altogether and only spends time in bars infrequently. That I can understand. She does an absolutely perfect job in the final chapter of analyzing the current situation in the US regarding Addiction Treatment. Treatment for Addiction, like Treatment for Mental Illness, is an obscene joke for which providers should be ashamed. It is mind-blowing how tightly the Treatment Community holds on to 12 Step Programs at the foundation of Sobriety. I highly recommend 12 Step Programs as a supplement to medical treatment, but not as the foundation of treatment and in place of medical treatment. Medical treatment, as Erica states, should include medication and other therapy administered by appropriately qualified professionals. You wouldn't accept a Nurse's Aide as the primary administrator of your Cancer Treatment so why should anybody accept someone with random education of 2 or less years as the administrator of their Addiction Treatment. Someday soon, we will look back on how we treated those with Addiction Disease and Mental Illness in 2020 with as much horror as we have when we look back on treatments involving things like leaches for bleeding the patient.

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arrogant

the writer lacks the ability to self reflect on any mistakes she made during her addiction. the treatment industry is failure but forgets she didn't do anything they told her to do. She wondered what she kept relapsing. The phrase she so hated 'terminal uniqueness' sums her up perfectly.

Here is the deal. Treatment centers have trained staff (she is mixing up detox with treatment). There also many levels of treatment beyond in patient, such as partial hospitalization, transition housing, intensive outpatient. The latter two she was recommended and decline. So if you need it. Go to rehab and do what your told and be honest and open. If you knew how to stop drinking, you wouldn't be there so listen to someone else. Treatment centers will talk to you about medicines to help with recovery. This author spent so much time questioning everything that should probably missed the discussion. Go to AA. Don't listen to the research babble it doesn't work. No one has done a proper clinical study. but when you know people with 40 years of sobriety, they must have some secret. Yes you may need other treatments. Addiction is a coping mechanism for problems you aren't facing. sobriety allows you to address the mental health or societial issues that need attention.

bottom line. there is hope if you are an addict. Listen to someone. you are not alone and you can do this. Trust treatment, trust doctors and trust the programs. Ignore this author. Her only true honest was when she finally admitted she is an AA and in therapy.

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Brutal Lies + Honesty

An amazingly real, truth of a drinker's life. Probably the most eye opening book I've listened to on this heart wrenching subject.
I'm sharing with friends who have suffered on all sides - alcoholic parents, binge drinking themselves, Covid anxiety increase in alcohol dependency. Last 2 chapters are amazing but not without all the prior. Written & read so well. Read it and weep. Read it and understand. Read it and heal. Thank you Erica.

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Truthful portrayal of the insidiousness of alcoholism

Written in an honest narrative tone and calm demeanor, Ms Barnett walks you through the journey to hell and back with commentary from the point of view crafted with her journalism expertise. So real you can smell the puke.

Best, authentic story I've read/listened yet.

Truly impactful. I especially appreciated the repeated relapse theme and the insight and truth behind us all needing to figure it out on our own.

Intriguing and absolutely amazing!

To hear and walk through Erica's struggle is difficult to understand how she and many others actually CAN overcome any type of addiction. Although, we all know "it" really never completely "goes away." Strong book, I'll be listening to it again.

One of the best recovery books ever!

So glad I found this one. Great for anyone who might think it’s too late. Her story will not be forgotten. Brave and inspiring.