"I wrote this book because writing is best way I know to help. My agent says I need a bigger platform for publishers to be interested. But, people are dying now. Every 19 minutes, another life is tragically cut short by overdose. As a country, our systemic failure to triage a national health emergency stems from a laser-focus on the effect of opioid addiction with virtually no attention to the cause. Maybe I'm hopelessly naive but...I'd like to change that."
— David Poses, explaining why he decided to release the book for free
Heroin Story is a memoir by David Poses, about his decades-long addiction to heroin and other opioids. Unlike most stories about junkiedom, there's no hitting of rock bottom or descent into depravity. Even after years of using David manages to remain employed, functional, and in control of his drug use. The book is also quite critical of the 12-Step Programs. It offers a rarely-heard (if surprisingly crucial) perspective on heroin addiction.
You can read it on his website [1]
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Tropes found in this book include:
- Abusive Parents: David's father isn't the most loving.
- Addled Addict: Some of the other patients at the rehab David visits qualify.
- An Aesop: Heroin Story makes a compelling point about drug use being a surprisingly logical response to pain (emotional or otherwise).
- Club Kid: Many of the flamboyant part-throwers David befriended in his youth count. Micheal Alig, the real-life king of the New York City club kids scene, is an especially notable example.
- Drugs Are Good: Heroin itself isn't portrayed as evil or good. It genuinely helps the depressed David.
- Former Teen Rebel: David (a former Club Kid) pretends to be this for most of the book. He acts as if his drug-using, party-throwing days are over... all while secretly continuing to use heroin.
- Functional Addict: David himself managed to have a pretty successful career and personal life, even though he's addiction to heroin.
- Junkie Parent: Subverted. While David is both a junkie and a parent, he's a genuinely loving and good father.
- Off the Wagon: This happens every time David quits (sometimes incredibly quickly). Luckily, his drug use doesn't stop him from having a great career and a loving family.
- Pun-Based Title: "Heroin story" looks an awful lot like "Hero in story".
- Tropaholics Anonymous: The main character attends an AA-based rehab. Of course, the program doesn't really help him.
