Hello! I rarely plug things on here or social media but I feel like this is the time to do it. I posted about this in the “I am an alcoholic thread” so I’m sorry if this is redundant for some of you. Like the title states, I am writing a book and could use some help from the best online community. I have a publisher, two editors, basically everything I need-it isn’t some writing a book on a whim.
I have struggled with opiates for most of my adult life. It started with pain killers from a back injury from sports. At that point, I knew I loved the feeling that opiates brought on. I didn’t know that feeling would change my life forever. After struggling with it, in and out of jail, homeless, and so on, I finally got actual treatment (not drug treatment while incarcerated) 3 years ago. I was able to get 11.5 months after that but eventually relapsed. During that sobriety, I was re-introduced to an incredible professor that was doing a business class where students don’t study for grades, they write books so when they graduate they have something to show for their work-a tangible “grade” and leg up in the resume race. He knew my family for a long time and knew my story. He had been affected by addiction with people in his family and wanted me to tell my story partly because it kinda covers a lot of the bases and wants to see change in this often overlooked area of society. At that time, the book was on the general topic of “addiction”. To cut this short, after a couple of relapses, some lucky to be alive events, and a couple new treatments, I am about to get another 6 months sober and started writing again a few months back. I will be publishing in June 2020.
Here’s where I need the help of surly. I’m looking to speak with anyone that has been impacted by an opiate addiction. Whether it’s an addict, someone that knows/loves an addict, family friend to someone that has died/overdoes from opiates, anyone that works with opiate addicts, a good therapist that works in this area, a lawyer in this field, etc. If you know anyone, please direct message me. I’m not doing this book to try to make money, when my editor asked what I was trying to do I said,” I want one person to come up to me and say that the book helped save _____ life. Just one life”. That’s my goal and hopefully surly can help as it usually goes. If you don’t know anyone, you can also help by messaging me what you would like to read in a book about this crisis. I got the deal because I have an interesting story so there will be an aspect that is engaging to the reader-kind of a million little pieces-ish-as well as stories of others, some research, interviews and facts. I don’t want it to be too formal and not interesting to read. I know reading on a horrible epidemic isn’t the most “fun” to read so I am asking what people would like to learn more about and what in general would make you pick up a book like this. If you have seen any articles, clips in shows or movies, Ted talks, videos, podcasts, anything like those where you have heard an interesting take or facts about opiates, please let me know. Lastly, if you post anywhere else where people would be willing to help, please share anywhere. Thank you in advance! Any help or just well wishes of encouragement would really mean a lot. It’s difficult enough saying that you’re an addict in recovery to strangers but it’s downright terrifying to broadcast it to the world. Im glad to be a part of this incredible community Im glad to be sober another day. Thank you!