“America Anonymous” by Benoit Denizet-Lewis is the story of eight men and women from around the country—including a grandmother, a college student, a bodybuilder, a housewife, and a drug and gambling addiction counselor—struggling to recover from addictions. For nearly three years, he immersed himself in their lives as they battled drug and alcohol abuse, overeating, and compulsive gambling and sexuality. Alternating with their stories is his account of his recovery from sexual addiction and his examination of our culture of addiction, where we obsessively search for new and innovative ways to escape the reality of the present moment and make ourselves feel “better.”
NPR Radio Interview with Benoit Denizet-Lewis:
America Anonymous: Buy Now - ITR Group Page
January 13th, 2009 at 3:48 am
I read the author’s introduction and it was very real sharing about his life in just one day of his acting out on his sexual addiction. He was very honest. I started liking the book right from the start as I felt right at home.
He also gives a great overview of the concept of addiction which I totally subscribe to-looking outside ourselves for the ways and means to feel differently, better,or not at all-not being capable of providing our own sense of completeness by drawing on our own inner resources. The way and means are interchangeable which I well know. It is the underlying lack of wholeness and inability to form meaningful relationships with other people that are the disease. The rest are symptoms. How we got like that is a whole journey of discovery thru step work. But I digress.
He also gives a very interesting overview of worldwide attitudes toward addiction in the last two centuries. He is a very readable author.
I will read his first story about Bobbyy tomorrow. I’ve got a feeling I am going to really like this book My first impression is highly positive.
January 14th, 2009 at 3:30 am
I read two stories. #1 was about Bobby a using addict and # 2 was about Marvin who is an 80 year old recovering alcoholic with two years clean. I see we will be introducted to all the people the book is about and then guided thru their lives for a period of time. This is going to be good. A reality show of people struggling with addiction and recovery. Just like my life. Now I just need to let go of my judgementalism of people and let them live their lives before me and find a way to connect by identifying. Just like in a meeting.
January 16th, 2009 at 3:36 am
I now have meet all the people in the book and know some about their stories. Some I like some I don’t like so much. But I relate to them all. I am working on identifying and just being there with them as they go thru their lives. Sometimes it is painful to see them struggle. Not everything in recovery is great and reality is a MFer.I hope they all make it. I will see.
March 10th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Keep working ,great job!