Addicted: Notes from the Belly of the Beast

Robert B. MacIntyre, a former professor of psychology at the Ontario
Institute for Studies in Education, is head of the Centre for
Relationship Therapy and Education in Orangeville, Ontario.

In this powerful book, 10 Canadian writers—poets, novelists,
journalists—write about their journey into, through, and sometimes out
of addiction. Peter Gzowski describes his recovery from a long-term
smoking addiction, shortly before lung damage brought about his early
death. Patrick Lane, David Adams Richards, and John Newlove recount
their experiences with alcohol and its damage to both their bodies and
their relationships. Evelyn Lau recalls her addiction to food and the
bingeing and purging through which it was expressed. Lorna Crozier
describes her life as a family member of an alcoholic, first with her
father and then with her partner. Stephen Reid writes of his drug
addiction and the criminal lifestyle that supported it. Sheri-D Wilson
describes excesses of art and alcohol in her creative efforts. Marnie
Woodrow relates the complex, two-generation interactions of alcoholism
in her family. Lois Simmie writes a letter of advice on recovery.

Addicted is probably too raw to be required reading in our schools’
drug and alcohol education programs. That’s unfortunate, because these
cautionary tales of the power of addiction, and the terrible price it
exacts, are infinitely more effective than any simplistic “just say
no” polemic.