Writers on the Edge: 22 Writers Speak about Addiction and Dependency

Recently, I read a very touching book called Writers on the Edge: 22 Writers Speak About Addiction and Dependency by Diana M Raab. What made it so touching was that it shared the personal stories of people who either suffered from some kind of addiction or had to deal with someone who did. As you may know, addiction is something that millions of people across the world suffer from. Many people think that there is no way that they could ever become an addict, but that is quit untrue. If you take the time to read this memorable book, you will see that through the journey of these authors. This book includes stories and poems from people who have dealt with this harsh struggle. One cannot know what it is like to be an addict or to deal with an addict unless they actually have. Reading this book opened my eyes and let me see just how hard the world can be. A lot of people like to stereotype the word “addict” with drugs and alcohol. Yes, these can be a part of being an addict, but there are also other things that one can become addicted to. When reading this book, you really get an insight on that. You see that, not only can you be addicted to common things such as drugs and alcohol, but you can also become addicted to nontraditional things such as food and sex. You also learn just how much these people have had to struggle, and how their whole lives get turned inside out. One of the things that really called out to me was that the stories were from people who actually experienced this first hand, instead of doctors who may have just read about it. I think that this makes the book great because it truly reaches out to people and gets them to open their eyes up to reality. Another thing that really caught my attention was the stories that were told by the people who faced their problems in the 50s and 60s. As we all know, back then people weren’t as accepting to other people’s personal life and the problems they faced. Oftentimes, people had to face their problems which were not as socially acceptable all alone. Also, a lot of people think that to be an addict you have to have a rough life or something along those lines. That is VERY untrue. Even the slightest change in one’s life can cause one to become and addict. Or, the person may want to experiment. Trying something like drugs, just out of pure curiosity, could also lead to addiction in many cases. So, as you see, addicts have a very rough life. Even after they are recovering, they face the constant struggle to remain in control every moment; even if they have been in recovery for many years. This book really shines a light on all the struggles that addicts, and people dealing with them, have to go through. It is a wonderful book and I would advise anyone who faces these types of struggles to read it.

Writers on the Edge tells 22 real-life stories from addiction to depression. This book shows the struggles these writers had with their inner demons in an organic form that is eye-opening, and heartbreaking at times. Whether the addiction is love, alcohol, sex, food, or drugs, these stories and poems take you through the highs and lows that these writers felt as they go through the addiction. You read about how they tried to hide the addiction, keeping their dirty secret from everyone they love. That is until everything comes crashing down around them, and they finally hit rock-bottom. At the bottom, most feeling it almost impossible to ever get well, you journey down the path to recovery with these writers. The stories of depression not only take you through the journey, but shows you how difficult it really is to live with depression especially when the people around you don't understand why. These brave writers fought their way from being depressed, and at times suicidal, to finding their reason to not only live but love the life they have been given. Personally, I always thought of writers as these perfect people with fabulous lives. But after reading Writers on the Edge, I now know that addiction and depression can happen to anyone no matter who you are. But most importantly, it shows you that you can get help and you can recover, no matter who you are or how bad it may be. Recovery is possible, for anyone.

Scalding, unflinching, in-your-face right off the bat, the Foreword of this book is chilling, preparing you for the stories inside. This anthology comes from the minds of truly amazing authors and isn't for the faint of heart. Each one takes a look at the harsh reality of their own addictions, as well as some who deal with a family dependency - living in fear that the next generation will follow the same path. The compilation shows a world that may be a great deal different than your own, but each piece is told with truth - which is something not often found today. As anyone knows who suffers, or has a family or friend they watch suffer from an addiction, the isolation, depression, and self-loathing is almost impossible to bear. From alcohol to drug abuse, overeating, depression, cutting, as well as the need for love through empty sex, addictions and obsessions are numerous. Although it's impossible to highlight each story, there are many that stand out. Scott Russell Sanders delves into his childhood, watching his father slip away from the family and into alcohol. He offers the thoughts of a child, who lies in bed awake and scared. Not scared of the abuse (which he doesn't receive on a physical level), but scared because he feels he’s the one responsible for his father’s drinking; if he could be a better son, perhaps his father would be sober. This in-depth look into the detriment of a family, and a man who doesn’t want to become what his father was, is a stunning piece of writing. Linda Gray Sexton talks about loss and how cutting is a release. Sitting in a car just needing that overwhelming pain to come 'out' no matter what her therapist says, her horrific memories will scare you to death. Sue Silverman delves into the world of love. Romance is told in all forms in this day and age, but when the 'physical' was the entirety of the love you received from your own parent, an addiction can form where the only way to get love from a man is with the body. Yet another writer speaks of overeating - a way to stop depression and feel love - although neither ever happens by eating more food. She speaks of support groups, and how being able to see that others are on 'your side' does wonders for a person on the edge. The Barthelme brothers tell a very different tale of an addiction that can't hurt - gambling. There's no risk when you have money in the bank, it's simply an entertaining addiction that hurts no one. With the inclusion of this piece and others like it, readers are shown that with every triumph over addiction, there are also those who remain in the deep end of the pool. These writers are truth-tellers, and they have the words. For the writer out there, this is a lesson in dignity and courage when it comes to putting pen to paper. The scariest prospect for a writer is to lose their words and end up living in a black and white world inside their mind. Listening to their struggles, triumphs and defeats is both heart wrenching and eye-opening. Quill Says: This isn't frilly or sweet. There are no fantastical characters. Be ready for the truth but, most of all, be willing to listen. (Reviewed by Amy Lignor for Feathered Quill Book Reviews)