Don't Count Me Out: A Baltimore Dope Fiend's Miraculous Recovery

by Rafael Alvarez, Jonathan Beville (Reader), Lee Osorio (Reader)

Don't Count Me Out chronicles the life of Bruce White from the beginning of his drug use in elementary school through criminal acts fueled by his need for drugs, to his miraculous recovery three decades later and involvement in the treatment of addicts, where he is now a leader in the rehabilitation field. Rafael Alvarez's recounting of White's journey should inspire those dealing with the fallout of addiction. Alvarez, a journalist and screenwriter, allows the listener to get inside the head of an addict who was stealing alcohol from his parents at the age of nine, selling drugs and tripping on LSD and PCP by the time he hit seventh grade, and hooked on morphine before he turned fifteen. "Bruce White? I thought he was dead?" is a response encountered in many of the interviews Alvarez conducted. Don't Count Me Out shines a spotlight on an improbable and stunning miracle. Though this is just one person's story, the contributing factors of early sexual assault, the role of permissive preoccupied parents, and the need for peer approval, among others, will resonate with many as the opioid crisis continues to haunt us.

Audio CD

Published October 15, 2022

Reviews

[Abigail Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the most inspiring and moving book I have read this year. Watching Bruce grow from childhood into adolescence and into adulthood is extremely interesting. This book is very well written, and definitely got me crying towards the end. It is truly beautiful how Bruce makes a huge difference not just for himself but in the lives of others. This is an absolute must-read for anyone who is affected by addiction, either personally or through someone they love.

[Kim Mcgee · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome and Inspiring

This is a must read! I wish I could give it to every addict I represent in hopes that it would in some way resonate with them. It should be required reading for newly appointed judges and would help those who attend Al-anon and mar-anon meetings as well. Knowing Bruce personally Made this manuscript very genuine for me.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book, and I am in complete awe of it. The story and the man that Mr. White became and continues to become. I think about all the people that he has helped and all the lives he has saved. It is a roller coaster ride and a testament That an addict any addict can lose the desire to use and live a life of Recovery. I highly recommend this book to anyone in recovery with clean time, anyone, struggling with active addiction, and the family of the addict that struggles it has something for everyone, but it has most of all is hope and concrete evidence that we do recover

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a cautionary tale, with redemption at the end (finally) this is quite a story.

[Andrea Vespoint · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best journalistic accounts, with an unbiased, but humane narrative about the horrors of addiction and the possibilities of redemption.

I highly recommend reading this book.