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My Fair Junkie

A Memoir of Getting Dirty and Staying Clean

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My Fair Junkie

By: Amy Dresner
Narrated by: Amy Dresner
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About this listen

In the tradition of Blackout and Permanent Midnight, a darkly funny and revealing debut memoir of one woman's 20-year battle with sex, drugs, and alcohol addiction, and what happens when she finally emerges on the other side.

Growing up in Beverly Hills, Amy Dresner had it all: a top-notch private school education, the most expensive summer camps, and even a weekly clothing allowance. But at 24, she started dabbling in meth in San Francisco and unleashed a fiendish addiction monster. Soon, if you could snort it, smoke it, or have sex with, she did.

Smart and charming, with Daddy's money to fall back on, she sort of managed to keep it all together. But on Christmas Eve 2011, all of that changed when, high on Oxycontin, she stupidly "brandished" a bread knife on her husband and was promptly arrested for "felony domestic violence with a deadly weapon".

Within months, she found herself in the psych ward - and then penniless, divorced, and looking at 240 hours of court-ordered community service. For two years, assigned to a Hollywood Boulevard "chain gang", she swept up syringes (and worse) as she bounced from rehabs to halfway houses, all while struggling with sobriety, sex addiction, and starting over in her 40s.

In the tradition of Orange Is the New Black and Jerry Stahl's Permanent Midnight, Amy Dresner's My Fair Junkie is an insightful, darkly funny, and shamelessly honest memoir of one woman's battle with all forms of addiction, hitting rock bottom, and forging a path to a life worth living.

©2017 Amy Dresner (P)2017 Hachette Audio
Alcoholism Biographies & Memoirs Mental Health Psychology Funny Witty Addiction Memoirs
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Critic reviews

"Like Carrie Fisher's 1987 autobiographical novel, Postcards from the Edge, and Mary Karr's 2009 memoir, Lit, Amy Dresner's story of addiction and recovery, My Fair Junkie: A Memoir of Getting Dirty and Stay Clean (Hachette Books), is one for the ages." ( Elle)
"Effortlessly candid and wryly written chronicle of a life hijacked by drugs, booze, and bad behavior. As a noted West Hollywood stand-up comedian and addiction journalist, she handles this complex tale with wit.... A hard-knocks addiction memoir buoyed with humor and insight." ( Kirkus)

What listeners say about My Fair Junkie

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Honest, funny and relatable

loved it so glad that the author read it. well worth a listen and very ispiring to show that no matter how far you fall you can always make ot back

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1 person found this helpful

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Brilliant memoir.

I could listen to Amy’s voice all day long. This story was brilliantly told and Amy’s humour is world class

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A visceral, stirring listen.

I loved it. Amy is a fierce writer; she says the unsaid things... I have nothing but respect for her journey. Some extraordinary and vivid insights into the mind of a recovering addict. She also took the time to reply to me when I DM'd her on Twitter.

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Compelling, funny, honest.

I loved this book. The narration reflects the character - strong woman with issues, hiding behind comedy in many ways. The story is unusual and interesting, and the character building was good.

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The Candour, vicerality, mirrored life & truly hilarious

I was scared of this book as I'm just sober, going through all the groups etc and thought it may be triggering. my fears were quelled within the first time I heard the authors voice. I thought, this book is gonna be fun and empowering. I laughed, cried and reflected on my own life of addiction. The chapter where Amy works as a carer struck a chord with me as I work in Nursing and the feelings Amy felt whilst working are very much similar to mine. I loved it loved it loved it. I'm going to check out Amy's other work. Thank you for bearing you're soul Amy. Ps. speaking as a Mental Health Nurse, the NHS is so much more compassionate now. I'm sorry you had that experience.

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Easily the best book about addiction and recovery

I loved this book and would recommend this to anybody regardless of whatever their experience or knowledge of addiction. The author highlights the insanity of addiction and how hard recovery can be, yet manages to tell her story in a way that is brutally honest and funny.

The author's narration brings the story to life in such a way that I couldn't stop listening to it, I finished this in 3 sittings, which is unusual for me.

You will not be disapointed if you buy this book.

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Annoying attempts at accents!!

Narrator voice went through me! I wish I'd have read and not listened to it

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Authentic

one of the most brutal, honest and authentic recovery memoirs around. highly recommended. Buy it

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5 star book

An excellent read. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Witty gritty and jaw dropping. A tough subject but delivered with humour

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Dark yet funny

this is one of the best books I've read for a while her truth is so identifiable to us folks that struggle. Her voice is easy to listen to and her humour comes across well. It's a good read and recommended

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