What do you think?
Rate this book
Ben: Diary of A Heroin Addict
As a young man from a loving, middle class family living in a small English village, Ben Rogers appeared to have it all….but then he found drugs. As his life descended into chaos and despair, Ben began to chronicle his daily struggles with the aid of a video camera. He was hopeful that one day his experiences could be used to educate others.
Ben lost his battle against addiction and died when he was 34 as a result of medical withdrawal. His family decided to release the tapes in the hope that other families could benefit. The result was the highly acclaimed, award winning SKY documentary, ‘Ben, Diary of a Heroin Addict’ which was shown on national television 27 times and ultimately across the world.
Ben’s mother, Anne, received hundreds of letters and messages, not only from addicts but also from families saying that the documentary had helped them realise that they weren’t alone.
The film took Ben’s mum to the Home Office, with interviews on national television, radio and the press. She has spoken with many young offenders desperate to educate other youngsters about addiction and to honour her son’s wishes.
The book includes writings and drawings by Ben which give a unique insight into the chaos surrounding drug addiction. His brother and sisters contribute too to the story of a family living on the edge.
‘Ben, Diary of a Heroin Addict – A Mother’s Fight’ is both an attack against the government’s tolerance of addiction and a powerful and moving depiction of one family’s love.
Ben lost his battle against addiction and died when he was 34 as a result of medical withdrawal. His family decided to release the tapes in the hope that other families could benefit. The result was the highly acclaimed, award winning SKY documentary, ‘Ben, Diary of a Heroin Addict’ which was shown on national television 27 times and ultimately across the world.
Ben’s mother, Anne, received hundreds of letters and messages, not only from addicts but also from families saying that the documentary had helped them realise that they weren’t alone.
The film took Ben’s mum to the Home Office, with interviews on national television, radio and the press. She has spoken with many young offenders desperate to educate other youngsters about addiction and to honour her son’s wishes.
The book includes writings and drawings by Ben which give a unique insight into the chaos surrounding drug addiction. His brother and sisters contribute too to the story of a family living on the edge.
‘Ben, Diary of a Heroin Addict – A Mother’s Fight’ is both an attack against the government’s tolerance of addiction and a powerful and moving depiction of one family’s love.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2012
12 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 21, 2017
The documentary was one, if not the, most heart breaking documentaries I have ever watched. Maybe because all of my life I have seen people struggle to get off of drugs, or maybe because the person I love more than life itself is an ex-addict, and I watched the struggles he went through. It tore me apart inside.
While the documentary focuses on Ben's struggle, of course, this e-book, written by Ben's mother, focuses a lot more on what addiction does to the family. The documentary clearly shows this as well, but I think this book is best read along with the documentary... You would be missing a great deal if you were to view one and ignore the other.
I would give almost anything to meet Anne Rogers. She is a natural writer, but more importantly, she has a message to share, just as her son Ben did and still does.
More people need to understand drugs, and not demean or judge those who are addicted. The family and loved ones, which is who I have been and still am, need to also have attention and realize we are not alone. To anyone reading this who is currently an addict, I beg of you to not only read this e-book, but watch his documentary which can be found free online.
If anyone in this world knows what the torture of addiction is like, it is Ben. There is no better mother that could have written a book about this tragedy, either. Her love shines through, as does her pain and anger, and resentment. So many of us who love an addict resent them and then feel guilty for such. It is okay... And the loving words of a pain struck mother remind us of this. I also believe those who don't understand the battle of drugs or addiction should read and try to put themselves in her shoes; in Ben's shoes.
For there are countless Ben's out there; but he was special in that he recorded the last years of his life... And now his mother has published her own view, and her side- how it all impacted her and her husband...
This book should be in schools; we need to be able to talk about drugs, it shouldn't be a stigmatized topic. We need to start saving lives.
While the documentary focuses on Ben's struggle, of course, this e-book, written by Ben's mother, focuses a lot more on what addiction does to the family. The documentary clearly shows this as well, but I think this book is best read along with the documentary... You would be missing a great deal if you were to view one and ignore the other.
I would give almost anything to meet Anne Rogers. She is a natural writer, but more importantly, she has a message to share, just as her son Ben did and still does.
More people need to understand drugs, and not demean or judge those who are addicted. The family and loved ones, which is who I have been and still am, need to also have attention and realize we are not alone. To anyone reading this who is currently an addict, I beg of you to not only read this e-book, but watch his documentary which can be found free online.
If anyone in this world knows what the torture of addiction is like, it is Ben. There is no better mother that could have written a book about this tragedy, either. Her love shines through, as does her pain and anger, and resentment. So many of us who love an addict resent them and then feel guilty for such. It is okay... And the loving words of a pain struck mother remind us of this. I also believe those who don't understand the battle of drugs or addiction should read and try to put themselves in her shoes; in Ben's shoes.
For there are countless Ben's out there; but he was special in that he recorded the last years of his life... And now his mother has published her own view, and her side- how it all impacted her and her husband...
This book should be in schools; we need to be able to talk about drugs, it shouldn't be a stigmatized topic. We need to start saving lives.
October 27, 2025
This book is powerful, raw, and deeply human. “Ben, Diary of a Heroin Addict – A Mother’s Fight” shows the reality of addiction not through statistics or headlines, but through the eyes of a family who refused to stop loving. Ben’s own words and drawings make the heartbreak personal and unforgettable.
Anne’s courage in sharing their story is inspiring. It gives hope, raises awareness, and reminds every family affected by addiction that they are not alone. A difficult read, but an incredibly important one.
Anne’s courage in sharing their story is inspiring. It gives hope, raises awareness, and reminds every family affected by addiction that they are not alone. A difficult read, but an incredibly important one.
December 16, 2019
Heartbreaking and I'm left with so much admiration for the Rogers family, and for Ben himself. Will be watching the documentary next. X
June 12, 2016
This is by far one of my favorite books on this topic. I believe everyone should watch the documentary prior reading, however, as it picks up after Ben's death. This is written by his mother as she continues his quest to expose what kind of hell heroin is.
Ben devoted the last years of his life to his video camera; we see the family side of him, but we also get to see the addict side of him. A side that wants to give up this poison, yet due to extreme addiction he struggles and warns people through tears not to get involved because "it's not worth it" as he puts it 9 minutes in on the documentary...
It's free to watch online, the book feels like a natural second part to the documentary and if I am not mistaken all proceeds go to helping heroin addicts. I've watched the documentary more times than I can count and reading this, you get to know even more about Ben and his life for the documentary obviously can't show the countless hours even though I wish they would. This is a great tribute to a great man, and a wonderful mothers confessions and journey to try and help others, just as her son Ben aimed to do with his videos. Anyone impacted by heroin in anyway, be it watching a loved one suffer and struggle to get clean or even addicts themselves, should both see his videos called *Ben The Diary of a Heroin Addict* and then read the continuation of his story through his strong mother in this book.
Ben devoted the last years of his life to his video camera; we see the family side of him, but we also get to see the addict side of him. A side that wants to give up this poison, yet due to extreme addiction he struggles and warns people through tears not to get involved because "it's not worth it" as he puts it 9 minutes in on the documentary...
It's free to watch online, the book feels like a natural second part to the documentary and if I am not mistaken all proceeds go to helping heroin addicts. I've watched the documentary more times than I can count and reading this, you get to know even more about Ben and his life for the documentary obviously can't show the countless hours even though I wish they would. This is a great tribute to a great man, and a wonderful mothers confessions and journey to try and help others, just as her son Ben aimed to do with his videos. Anyone impacted by heroin in anyway, be it watching a loved one suffer and struggle to get clean or even addicts themselves, should both see his videos called *Ben The Diary of a Heroin Addict* and then read the continuation of his story through his strong mother in this book.
February 10, 2017
Excellent reading
Everything so true what a mother, brother, sister or whoever goes through living with an addiction.
Having been through this experience when my brother passed away in 2012 aged 32 and im still grieving to this day
Everything so true what a mother, brother, sister or whoever goes through living with an addiction.
Having been through this experience when my brother passed away in 2012 aged 32 and im still grieving to this day
November 13, 2014
Wow
I know full well the horrors of addiction also. I am a mother of an addict. I havent lost my son but if this heroin addiction continues I feel I may. Ann wrote this book so it shall help all of us. thank you!
Ann may you find peace and know your beautiful Ben is proud and shining down on you.
I know full well the horrors of addiction also. I am a mother of an addict. I havent lost my son but if this heroin addiction continues I feel I may. Ann wrote this book so it shall help all of us. thank you!
Ann may you find peace and know your beautiful Ben is proud and shining down on you.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews