The Heroin Diaries by Nikki Sixx. I’m a big fan of heavy metal music. In past book review’s I’ve chronicled the writings of KISS bass player and entrepreneur, Gene Simmons. This book, however is on a subject matter that’s quite different: addiction and recovery. Originally released 10-years ago, Nikki Sixx of the rock band Motley Crue, reflects back on the journals he wrote during the 1980’s to show his personal rise and fall of being while in one of the most successful rock bands of all-time.
Let me be up front, I do not endorse drug or Heroine use. That’s a personal decision. The book gives the reader a no-holds barred up close and detailed look at the dark side of fame and how he managed to drag himself back from not only death -twice- but into a long period of sobriety and a happier home and life after Motley Crue.
I’m a big believer that a breakdown is often the breakthrough for many people. It’s astonishing to see how down and out someone could get and still make it through to recover and become a productive member of society. Not only are some of the stories disturbing -yes, the book is very graphic- but many of them are both hysterically funny and instructive. I played in rock bands in high school and college and could relate to some of the book from a musician’s stand point.
Under the Cover
In the Heroin Diaries – A Year in the Life of a Rock Star, Sixx also reveals:
- Lessons from the music business and the temptations that go with it
- The real issue involved with addiction and how to get help
- Why we can’t take the good things for granted in our life
- Several reasons to seek out positive mentors after years of selfish behavior
- How to bounce back from temporary defeat and flip it into long-term success
- A rare behind the scenes look at the rock bands, media, and other celebs during the go-go 1980’s and early 90’s
Quotable
Here’s a great quote from the introduction of the book:
“This book is and journey is dedicated to all the alcoholics and drug addicts who have had the courage to face their demons and to pass on the message that there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel.” – Nikki Sixx
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