The Best Books About Substance Abuse
From
harrowing memoirs to glamourous novels, substance has long functioned
as a motivation for authors, with readers keen to lap up tales of a
world that is impossible for those not involved to really understand.
These narratives, fictional or otherwise, show us the dangers,
tragedies, and - in some cases - the fun that surrounds drug use.
One
of the most appealing aspects of books that deal with drugs is that
they submerge the reader in a world that is often totally outrageous,
far removed from the clean and cut rhythms that define so many of our
lives. In many cases, it is the memoirs that are the most outlandish,
even more so than their fictional counterparts.
In
this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best books about
substance abuse, from absurd takes on a hedonistic society to tales of
drug addiction and helplessness. Dive in, and discover a side of life
you may never have experienced before.
Trainspotting
The 1996 movie adaptation of Trainspotting, the 1993 novel by Irvine Welsh,
brought the trials and tribulations of being a heroin addict in working
class Edinburgh to the big screen, but it is Welsh’s novel that really
captures the life of a heroin addict. Following the lives of a gang of
heroin addicts, we stay with the characters as they follow the
trajectory of many young drug takers: using, addiction, health and crime
problems, and how it affects their friends and family.
Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man
Bill Clegg’s memoir Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man initially
roused interest because of the profession of the author. A successful
member of New York’s literati royalty, Clegg’s memoir about his crack
cocaine addiction should not have been written: people like this do not
become drug addicts. But then, of course they do. Clegg details the hows
and whys of how it happened and the desperation that followed. Clegg’s
excellent writing brings to life the murky world he created and the
struggle to get clean again.
The Basketball Diaries
It’s said that keeping a journal is an important part of beating addiction.
Jim Carroll, a musician, author, and poet, took this idea and ended up
with one of the most acclaimed drug texts ever written. The Basketball
Diaries, a collection of diary entries from Carroll’s time as a heroin
addict in New York City, is a thrilling read. Released in 1978, this
book, along with tails of drug abuse and attempted recovery, also
captures a moment of time through the eyes of an adolescent who was
coming of age in the 1960’s.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Reading
Hunter S. Thompson’s 1971 novel Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is akin
to riding on a rollercoaster. We travel with protagonist Raoul Duke and
his attorney Dr. Gonzo as they drive to and then explore Las Vegas under the influence of a cocktail of drugs,
chiefly marijuana, LSD, and alcohol. Influenced by Thompson’s real life
adventures, the reader is treated to a close up look at the strange
world drug users inhabit while under the influence of narcotics, which
is chiefly built around hallucinations and paranoia. This book doesn’t
deal with drugs in a moralistic, tragic manner; if anything, it
highlights some of the reasons why people take drugs in the first place.
But look beneath the surface and you’ll see there’s plenty of trouble
brewing.
Scar Tissue
Scar Tissue,
an autobiography by Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis isn’t
strictly a drug abuse memoir, but Kiedis’ long experiences with drug
abuse means large section of it are. This is a glimpse into a world that
is blocked off from all but a handful of people on earth: one of a
super famous, super wealthy, super everything man who also has a serious
drug addiction. The ghostwritten memoir details just how low some
people, even those who seemingly have it all, will sink to get their
next fix, as well as a look into how the death of a friend through drugs
doesn't necessarily stop an addict from using. It’s the tale of a man
with absolutely no barriers to stop him doing what he wants, and the
result is a jaw-dropping, highly entertaining read - mostly in part
because Kiedis was able to beat his addictions.
