Son of privilege: Moyers’ book on addiction and recovery

William Cope Moyers has just published Broken: My story of addiction and redemption.

Readers disagree greatly about it:

Gladys' review:
Broken educated me about the addict, what living as an addict must really be like. As the parent of an addict, I read Broken with horror and frustration, but finished it with hope. Moyers' position on treatment and addiction as the misunderstood disease made me want to become an advocate for helping change attitudes and stances about the disease of addiction in the medical and insurance arenas.


From Stephen’s review:
God bless anyone who, one day at a time, keeps in remission the terrifying fatal disease of cocaine addiction! This memoir, at times gripping and moving, is so full of grandiosity and self-congratulation that one is left wondering about the motives for its publication. It would seem less likely to be a clarion to change public perceptions of alcoholism and drug addiction as a "look at me--whee!" account of a spoiled son of privilege whose errant lifestyle led him to a vaunted executive position at Hazelden, one of the most prominent alcohol and drug rehabiliation centers in the world!

J. Siri's review:
Even though there were many relapses William Cope Moyers did what he had to do to stay clean and sober. It is a great success story of recuperation, love and patience.

I am particularly surprised by his wife, who I believe gave him all the support needed. She really understood that it is a disease, not just an addiction. Congratulations! You are truly an inspiration to all!


From Margaret's review:
It was riveting on many levels. However…how is it that a person with fragile sobriety (3 relapses) of such short duration (1 year) lands an executive position with a high profile recovery program (Hazelden) he could not successfully complete? Could it be his last name? (Thanks, Dad!) And shame on Hazelden too, if the facts are as Moyers relates: he knew nothing about policy, but they gave him an interview anyway. Has that happened to you in your chosen field lately?

Advice: Let’s read the book.

Read another story of recovery from addiction, or read the reviews at Amazon.