A brutally honest tale of trauma survival and discovery of true self
~ Roger has told many of his friends pieces of his own story over the years, but here is the whole thing, in his own words and style, raw and real. He's woven in his own poetry, purposeful tangents, humorous writing styles and unique narration to bring you along into a life story - a gripping answer to the title's question.
This is an autobiographical account of how chronic family trauma caused an immature, developing mind to turn to street drugs and their culture in order to cope with fear and abandonment. Roger’s childhood and adolescent stories bring the reader along in an often shocking, yet relatable memoir. Anyone motivated to read it likely knows an addict or a family who has been affected by the issues that Roger brings to light. Along the way, it becomes apparent that he has also done his homework on the statistics and state of mental health and substance abuse in the U.S.
It is nearly impossible to understand how this soul survived, recovered, and became the amazing human he is. But - the why? is the most important message behind Roger's story. The author's palpable and painful recounting can help others - even people who are NOT struggling with substance abuse or addiction. We are all fighting battles. We all struggle with something. This author has gained that insight and empathy through living the life, and moreover, living to tell the tale. It is a must read for anyone who has a loved one who is in crisis.
I can't wait for the movie. -Dr. Bill
~ Dr. Bill O'Loughlin, Avalon Chiropractic and Rehab, Gaithersburg Maryland
~ Roger is a friend of mine and a former co-worker from my years at Trek. I had always known him as a kind human, and recognized him from a CYCLOPS training video with "Coach Troy". I always got a kick out of that, and I don't know why.
This book is about his struggles. It is raw emotion. It pulls no punches. This is not a fluffy light read with 10 lessons on how to find inner peace and happiness. This is a brutally raw, honest book about one man's journey and fight against addiction. It is for people who are struggling. It is for the people who are helping those who are struggling. It is for people who are suffering because of those who are struggling.
It's important to note that it is also for people who are not struggling. People who read the news about an addict committing a crime and wondering why it happened, or how it could happen.
Buy the book. Read the book. Pass it along to someone else. Buy a copy for your local library. This book is about as real as it gets.
~ Eric Bethard
~ First off, let me say, this book is an amazing read! I just started chapter three and it’s hard to put it down!
I love how Roger put 100% of his feelings into this because it lets others relate so much to whatever they are going through no matter if it’s depression, anxiety, drug abuse, etc.
He came out of his comfort zone and told the world how he grew up to be able to be the voice for others.
Another thing I love about this book, is I love how raw he is with his wording. Not only does he use the lang of while he was growing up, but he throws in some modern day.
While reading this book, I feel like I can almost put myself in his shoes and imagine it in my head because not only is he writing it like he would be telling us the story as he would be sitting in front of us, but no matter what, we can connect to it in somehow, shape, or form.
I love this book for many reasons, and you don’t even have to be dealing with substance abuse to pick this up and read it. There is more to it than that.
I would 1,000/10 recommend this book to anyone who feel like they are in a dark spot, going through recovery/substance abuse, depression, or just an individual who wants to pick up an amazing read by a man who wants to be able to help the others around him!
I just wanted to say, Roger is a great guy. Not only do I know him by this amazing book, but he is a great friend that I met thru a man that was my adopted grandfather and I am glad to have been able to meet Roger!
~ Shayla Combs
Winchester Virginia
Great REAL description of how/why people reach for drugs and alcohol to medicate emotional pain
~ Roger tells us in his book that he is a "high school dropout", yet his writing is so real, so from the soul, it's some of the best I've ever enjoyed. Being a recovering addict myself, I find his descriptions of using - the depths we reach - are so real, so gripping, that at times found it difficult to read. The shame, emotional pain and hopelessness are described in a way that i had to stop reading and remind myself that those days are in the past. I haven't finished the book yet, but I know that it's going to continue to be hard to put down!
~ Mark Rhoderick