Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at
12:47 pm
Product Description
“Where the hell am I? How did I get here?”
Beginning at the age of 12, Jennifer Storm asked herself these questions many times after waking from alcohol-induced blackouts. During her teens and early twenties, Storm turned to alcohol to deal with the traumas in her life. In addition to alcohol, she also experimented with drugs, and eventually began using crack to deal with the deep black hole of sadness, loss, and unworthiness that she felt inside he… More >>
Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America
Tagged with: America • Blackout • Drying • Girl • Growing
Filed under: Alcohol Withdrawal Treatment
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This story is not unique. And that’s unfortunate. It doesn’t mean, however, that this isn’t a valuable book and another reminder of the dangers American children face, particularly when they’re left unsupervised. Alcohol and drug addiction, an equal-opportunity disease, remains a menace in this society, and I think the true purpose of this book is to alert parents of adolescents and teens to what’s beyond their suburban fences and to PAY ATTENTION.
When an addict lives to tell the tale, it’s always cause for celebration. Jennifer Storm writes with a simple, disarming style, wears it all on her sleeve, and bares little if any residual shame–just the ugly truth of her life as an addict. She illustrates the three distinct paths ahead for anyone drinking and drugging to that degree: jail, death, or recovery. And in spite of spending a good portion of her teen years experiencing blackout, she remembers and relates quite a bit about being raped (more than once) and her foray into intoxication to escape “the pain,” from simply stealing sips of her mother’s green liquor to becoming a suicidal crack addict.
There’s room for these stories outside of AA meetings and in commercial fiction, with the hope that anyone who stumbles upon this book will find information, solace, and perhaps, steps toward recovery for themselves or someone they love. Storm also touches on why recovering addicts feel the need to share, when she relates a scene during the ride to rehab in “a druggie delivery car with a stoned crackhead” to her right, who acknowledges her in a way that shows he understands. It puts her at ease.
I recommend this book for parents of at risk children. If you know someone who fits this description, hand him or her a copy of Blackout Girl and suggest they read it cover to cover. Given the generally selfish and disengaged nature of these types of parents, you might have to read it out loud.
Michele Cozzens, Author of A Line Between Friends and The Things I Wish I’d Said.
Rating: 4 / 5
Based on her real-life experiences, Jennifer Storm shares her difficult but triumphant story. Drinking, blackouts, drugs, addiction, and suicide attempts were all parts of her life in her teens and early twenties.
As you read about Jennifer’s experiences, you will be amazed — because the entire time you are reading her story, you know that she is writing her story, so she has to get better, right? And there are things so out-there that one would either think that there is no way this person would ever have a normal life or that the story must be fiction. But both of those thoughts would be incorrect.
What I loved about this book was that Jennifer was not afraid to share the ugly side of her addiction and substance abuse–it took her to some very daunting places that many would be too ashamed to share. I also was happy that hers was such a success story. When Jennifer decided that she was finished with that lifestyle, she was truly finished. (Of course, she received help to do so.)
Often times, our strengths are also our weaknesses….the fact that once she decides to quit using, she is able to do it will offer hope to many, because it can happen. However, for those who have tried to stop but have relapsed, I hope it doesn’t send them the message that a relapse means they won’t be able to get better the next time. Or the next. Or the next.
Regardless, Jennifer’s story is one worth reading. My best wishes to her and her continued success.
Reviewed by: Dianna Geers
Rating: 4 / 5
** spoiler alert ** I was originally drawn to this book in result of hearing Jennifer being interviewed on NPR. As I read the book, I was captivated with the fact that Jennifer made many mistakes throughout her teenage/early adult life that could have made her just another statistic, but in the end she has drawn on these terrible circumstances and reconstructed a prosperous life out of it. I felt her pain as she relived details of the sexual assault and many blackouts due to drugs and alcohol. I cheered her on as she attempted to get on the right track. I celebrated when she finally made the realization that she had a choice and decided to pursue a life in sobriety. I commend her with sharing her life with me.
The way Jennifer structured the book was amazing. She begins with the end in a sense, “en medias res”, showing how her current life connects with her past. I also find it humbling that she admits several times throughout the book that she knew her path was wrong at the time, but…more I was originally drawn to this book in result of hearing Jennifer being interviewed on NPR. As I read the book, I was captivated with the fact that Jennifer made many mistakes throughout her teenage/early adult life that could have made her just another statistic, but in the end she has drawn on these terrible circumstances and reconstructed a prosperous life out of it. I felt her pain as she relived details of the sexual assault and many blackouts due to drugs and alcohol. I cheered her on as she attempted to get on the right track. I celebrated when she finally made the realization that she had a choice and decided to pursue a life in sobriety. I commend her with sharing her life with me.
The way Jennifer structured the book was amazing. She begins with the end in a sense, “en medias res”, showing how her current life connects with her past. I also find it humbling that she admits several times throughout the book that she knew her path was wrong at the time, but wasn’t sure how to fix it. She write with an authentic prose that’s very vivid–painting a picture of her life revisited.
I was also very fascinated when she wrote about her mother’s death. I am amazed at how sometimes tragedy can become a blessing. I think in some ways her mother’s death pulled her family closer and was a way for her to start toward realizing the severe addictions she faced. I also relate with many of the struggles she has had with connected with her mother.
I also found her quest to define her sexual identity amazing. I know that not everyone’s time to figure these things out is the same, and I am amazed at her particular journey.
Her entire book seems to balance her goal of telling her story to others in hopes of preventing their pains by learning from her mistakes while using the book as a final therapy to work through her mistakes through pen. I liked the book so much that she’s going to come to give a talk at my college this March to kick of Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Read this book
Rating: 5 / 5
From the very beginning of Jennifer’s drinking career, at the age of twelve, she was a blackout drinker. Upon waking up from the tallboy-induced blackout Jennifer asked herself for the first time, “Where the hell am I? How did I get here?” These two questions were asked again and again during the course of her teens and early twenties as a result of her unhealthy dependence on alcohol and drugs. And a new scar usually followed as a result of her decision to take the first drink.
The blackouts, or shadowy recollections, were a welcome respite from the numerous tragedies that plagued Jennifer’s life – death, assaults, violations, chaos, and confusion. Over the years, the black hole that could never be filled or erased continued to grow and the only cure – though temporary was the drink or the drug in its many forms.
Jennifer grappled with her disease of never enough through alcoholism, drug addiction, an eating disorder, and self-mutilation. Without the necessary boundaries as a child, her life spiraled out of control and her family did the best that they could with what they had.
It was by the grace of God, a father’s love, and a final attempt at snuffing out her life through a volatile mix of alcohol, crack cocaine, over-the-counter pills, and razor blades that gave Jennifer the gift of desperation which began her road to recovery. As an uncaring roommate left her bleeding and alone, it was a phone call to her parents that probably saved her life.
As she opened her eyes she saw her bandaged wrists and finally heard the truth from the doctor, “You’re a very lucky girl to be alive.” And Jennifer believed this statement. This was when her perpetual fear gave way to hope. And the hope granted Jennifer the opportunity to begin the work necessary to enjoy the road to recovery.
Finally a contributing member to society, God has positioned Jennifer to be of maximum usefulness because her relationship with Him is in order. Because she is able to simply “suit up and show up”, her life is a gift that she has the opportunity to share with others. And this new lease on life has allowed her to heal some of her scars while helping others walk through the healing process as well.
Rating: 4 / 5
Writing about such sad and tragic events, even when there is a happy ending, is an act of courage. Jennifer’s telling of the story is at times so fluid I forgot I was reading and just took in the story. Those moments touched my heart and I found myself wanting to rescue her from the situation. Her slow spiral down to her low-point took many years. The sad reality of so many people in her life seeing her addiction and not offering more help is telling of our society’s state of health. Her assent to a normal life she had never known was relatively swift. Her response to help is an example to all those who can find the motivation to accept it. She reveals some incredible truths about the internal struggle she and her peers in rehab had to make. Between the lines she reveals how dysfunctional her family was, and her choice of friends.
There are internal conflicts in the book, and a few too many chapters jumping to a different time to illustrate a point. So I struggled to get through the first half, then stayed home too long one morning to read the last half.
This is an important telling of a tragic reality. It sends the important message that a normal life is attainable. I recommend this book to anyone how wants to understand the life of an addict.
Rating: 5 / 5