very honest, terrible stories. ( )

I might have given this book 5 stars, but for the fact that one of two of the essays didn't hold up against the undeniably terrific ones. Almost all are wrenching and brutally candid. David Adams Richards piece, simply entitled "Drinking" is worth the price of the book. Patrick Lane's "Counting the Bones", Molly Jong-Fast's "Junkie Grows Up" and Lois Simmie's "An Open Letter to Laura" might be required reading for anyone thinking about recovery. Stephen Reid's "Junkie", the last essay in the book is scalding and terrible, and all the more so since as recently as 2011 Reid was back in the throes of his addiction, and back in the slammer. One essay sounds as though it's steeped in the author's denial, and although it's ironically tragic, it also struck an off-key note for me. I won't mention which essay I think that is, but will allow readers to make their own conclusions.

All in all, a solid anthology for those of us who take comfort in knowing we are not alone in our struggles with addiction. The essays which indicate the authors are now in healthy recovery offer hope, while the others act as cautionary tales. ( )