Dying to Survive: Surviving Drug Addiction

by Rachael Keogh

In her early twenties, Rachael Keogh was a desperate heroin addict. Her addiction to the drug took her to a place about as low as a person can go. She stole and turned to prostitution to help her feed her habit. Rachel had grown up in Ballymun and had, like many others, succumbed to the lure of drugs during her teenage years.

This is Rachael Keogh’s own story written in her own words. She is now thirty, a student of psychotherapy, an attractive and optimistic young woman. Her story is a remarkable account of recovery from the very edge of personal destruction. It is a heart-lifting story of human redemption.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Addiction, Autobiography, Drugs, Biography, Crime

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 17, 2009

Reviews

[GTF · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping, heroic, and frightening tale of a woman who spent most of her adult life trying to combat a chronic drug addiction.

Rachael Keogh was only a young teenager when the pervasive trend of heroin reached Ballymun, and it didn't take long before she made the leap from using soft core drugs to injecting heroin. Given the highly addictive nature of the substance, and the side effects it spawns, her life quickly diverted that of a regular teenager, and descended into total recklessness. The bulk of this book deals with what feels like an endless pattern of recovery and relapse. Although repetitive in sequence, each triumph and failure is never dull, as each recovery and relapse feels like an entirely new and unexpected experience for Rachael and the reader.

The book truly captivates the immensely bleak reality of addiction, but also details the strength and patience that need to be practiced in order to maintain the "clean" period. A must read for anyone struggling with substance abuse.

[Sabrina Rutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this book could be a light to those still in the dark days of their addictions. Rachael's story is powerful! To see where she flew from to where she landed is just absolutely amazing.This is by far the best memoir I have ever read (up to this point, besides A PIECE OF CAKE) about someone battling to overcome their drug addiction. Rachael really pulls you into the life of a drug addict holding nothing back.

[Neko · Rating 3 out of 5]

***I am reviewing this on my phone so any errors this is why...when i return home I'll probably edit this***

How to sum up my feelings over this book? I'm not completely sure if I'll do my thoughts justice to be honest but I'll give it a try.

I've a strange interest in reading books where people are fucked up (to put it lightly) and I've never known quite why this has taken a strong interest in my reading habits but never the less I saw this book on book for cheap on Amazon so I thought why the heck not.

Apparently this girl took to the media because she was so desperate for help and it was a worldwide hit but I don't remember a thing about "the girl with the arms". You actually get to see those arms in the cover page and also some flicks at the end of the book...Damn! She is very lucky to be alive when you see what type of destruction she put herself through just to get high...

While this is her story and her life as a drug abuser something about it fell flat for me. I'm not knocking the realness or anything like that because wow some of the things she did just to get off her face was deplorable but there was something that irked me...

It's obvious how her drug taking stems from her family life or lack of proper attention that she so desperately needed as a child. And then this book does the same thing a cry for attention. .Something to show people why she was so jacked up on drugs.

I'm not new to this style of autobiography so of course people have different writing styles and some you can easily click with and others will brush you the wrong way...I say this because like i mentioned before the cry for attention seemed highly obvious and now the book was doing the same thing. Do I feel any sorrow for her? Not really...I've seen some people in real life who struggle on and have come from shitty backgrounds but never sircummed to drugs.

She got dealt a shit roll of the dice and chose an easy path of selling her body, stealing and anything else just to escape her pain.

Supposedly she has changed her life around and well done to her.

[Isabella Ellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the fact that I love addiction memoirs, I just couldn't get into this. Not all that interesting, and the narration was long winded. It seems that Ms. Keogh took something attention grabbing (her mutilated arms from intravenous drug use) and tried to turn it into a book. It didn't work, in my opinion.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a happy-ending story of a young woman in Ireland who becomes addicted to heroin while a young teenager and nearly has to have her arms amputated because of the necrotic tissue on them from continual injections. The writer, now in her late 20s, sounds like she went to hell and back, going through treatment several times and never quite kicking the habit. She descended to prostitution to keep herself in drugs, regularly stole things from her family and broke into houses to steal from strangers. Ultimately, she was able to get clean and stay clean after dealing with her psychological and family issues.

The book is brightened by her slang Irish expressions: Jay-sus! I feel like an eedgit, and other current colloquialisms.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping. This is what Million Little Pieces should have been, a sad but objective look at the author's heroin addiction written in her own voice. Read it in a day :)

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting at times, drags at others...

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel weird rating a memoir like this, but my biggest criticism is the editing. We don't need to know every person Rachael ever met in the many rehabs she was in and out of. The narrative became repetitive towards the end, and I think her struggle with heroin would have been just as powerful if it had been tightened up a bit.

Also, I know part of this book is to talk about the failure of the Irish system to provide help for drug addicts, but it does feel like there is a missing reflection on her privilege in the help she did receive. Sure, her family did not go about it in the right way all the time, shipping her off to Cuba, Texas, and Italy on her own. But they did have the funds to do this and tried to help her in their way. Many drug addicts don't have this and are ONLY reliant on social systems.

How young she was when she started was something new to me, and it was the hardest part to read.

[Shey Spano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow what a heroic story of a woman's struggle with addiction. For some strange reason I like to read about this as it helps me understand their sickness.

Super sad and very brave of Rachel to share her journey to recovery.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly moving, to say the least. Addiction memoirs are typically the same--full of relapses, regret, shame, reflections as to why one becomes an addict. Somehow, they are always different to me though. My brother is a heroin addict, so reading about another addict's story helps me to better understand his. Rachael's story is inspiring; where there was seemingly no hope, she scraped up a tiny bit of faith in herself to finally get clean. Human nature is beautifully flawed. I recommend this book, but do not Google her on images if you have a weak stomach. Her arms (also shown in the book/on the cover) are really gruesome. The future nurse in me, of course, cannot look away. Great book, wonderful story!

[Abigail T · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a difficult review to write. I have read a lot of memoir's from a broad spectrum of subjects and I must be honest at times I felt it difficult to sympathize with Rachael. Don't get me wrong she is a very brave girl for honestly telling her story however I do feel that her addiction was very much a cry for attention. Yes her mother did leave her with her nan but she had some amazing life opportunities handed to her on a plate also. Towards the end I was skimming through the book because of the monotony of her having great opportunities, relapse, rock bottom, great opportunity... It goes on

[Clazzzer C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody should read this memoir. I had the privilege of growing up in a town and family, sheltered from the devastating consequences that Rachel suffered. That same town however has changed so much and all around us we see now what she endured. Rachel has such courage and after all that she has overcome she deserves a lifetime of happiness. Those of us who haven’t experienced her demons could never comprehend what she endured. I applaud you Rachel and have so much respect for you and others in your situation, who against all odds triumphed and are helping others do the same.

[Robin J Taube]

Not bad..

So props to the author for writing this book... with every truth told she propels herself through her recovery.
That being said I found it repetitive (I understand the concept of addiction is on again/ off again.) Also in my opinion there was a lack of catharsis at the turning point... I guess I could have used more emphasis on the events leading up to her decision to 'self-help'. I could put it down.. but I finished it. I'm happy for her.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dying to Survive is a memoir written by former drug addict Rachael. It tells a truly disturbing tale of a girl who grows up rather abandoned and kicked from family member to family member. Instead of using her circumstances to become stronger, Rachael turns to drugs and makes choices that destroy her body and her soul. She attends numerous rehabs only to relapse again, which frustrates not only her family but herself. Only the birth of her son is her salvation.

[Elisabeth Brookshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those arms

This book contains stark color photos at the end which I really enjoyed and appreciated. Rachel tells her story slowly, clearly, and coherently, and her honesty makes this a compelling "addiction" memoir . This is the book for addicts and their families to read (as opposed to one I just finished, ("In My Skin" - avoid at all costs). The ravages, the pain, the relapses; it's all chronicled so very well here. Great story!

[Emma McDonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational

I was completely absorbed into this story how amazing she has pulled herself out of this addiction ,may she continue in health what a brilliant read i couldn't put the book down

[amber reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

From someone who has been down the path very similar to the authors, this was a great book. I couldn't put it down. Her life experiences and the road to her recovery was well put and I would definitely recommend this book to read.

[Katie Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frightening

A unbelievably frightening account of a addicts life and thoughts.
Very emotional at times and other times you would just like to give her a good shake.
It would be a great book for leaving cert.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Dying to Surivive' is a story told by Rachael Keogh and her battle to overcome drug addiction. Rachael recounts how she recahed rock bottom and went on to reclaim control her life. I was really gripped by her story and would really recommend it.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional journey this was to read

This book is an honest and candid account of the damage drugs do. Kudos to Rachel for fighting so hard to overcome the hurdles she faced. An emotional read for me as I almost headed down this road as a teen myself.

[Brittany Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is intense and I couldn't put it down. I honestly felt like I was reading a detailed story from the show intervention. Rachael went through some hard times. Glad she shared her story! Great book!

[Geraldine Hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read and true story of author's heroin addiction. A book you can not put down.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hard book to read because of the topic (drug addiction). But it was well written and was a good book to learn from!

[Marty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book for anyone who has an interest in non-fiction about surviving drug addiction at its worst.

[Jo Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book in one day! Couldn't put it down! I'm so happy that Rachael sorted her life out and hope she remains drug free.

[Linda Shanklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER amazing story of recovery!!! It just goes to show if you don't give up you can do anything!!!

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the amazing true story of Rachael Keough, long fight with the disease of addiction to herion. Great Memoir! It's books like this one that makes me a memoir junkie. Couldn't put this down

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book . I recommend

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This book is a good read for someone in rehab or beginning their recovery. I could not imagine addiction being that bad. It gives the reader a realistic view of addiction.

[Astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

Thanks for charging your life with us and I am so happy that everything turned out for the good. Wish you the best in your life with your beautiful son.