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Needle Too: Junkies in Paradise
Recovery. As far as heroin addiction is concerned, I’m not sure there really is such a thing. And of course, I never intended to write a sequel, but after NEEDLE was published it wasn’t long before I realized a number of readers, many of them addicts or family members and friends of addicts, were eager to learn how I recovered from a decade of opiate abuse. But again, regardless of what the “experts” say, I’m not sure there is such a thing—at least beyond what is often a precarious state of abstention—because “recovery” implies something different, or at least something more complete and comprehensive than the reality of the situation should suggest. Indeed, it implies the “recapturing of something that was lost, or the process by which one attempts to do so.” However, regardless of my own opinion, my own non-medical industry opinion, although I had cast a few lines out to gage reader interest, I never truly expected to write another NEEDLE-related account of my life. But ironically, ANY account of my life post-NEEDLE would inherently have to address my addiction because regardless of my continued state of abstention—I’m constantly reminded of it: an old friend, fallout from the past, a song, a famous overdose, a suddenly gentrified street and of course, my long-lost innocence has a haunting potential and so...I’m not sure there is such a thing.
In any event, spurred on by my activist efforts and my readers’ interest, while in the midst of fostering a 15 year-old Himalayan cat that was rescued from an empty apartment where it was holed-up in a bird cage for three years and was now ready to rip my face off (perhaps as some sort of Karmic comeuppance for failing felines in the past), I decided to give it my best effort. After all, at the very least it might shed some insights for addicts and provide additional help for the homeless animals which, of course, is my new addiction—though it’s far more distressing and devastating than the old one. It is, in fact, the same part of my life which, prior to writing NEEDLE TOO, I briefly discussed and published at www.Needleuser.com back in 2012, and though I’m loath to regurgitate material—even if it was just a few pages shared with a very small percentage of readers—it was too important to do without in the most recent context because it detailed an event that was pivotal in how I got to where I am. And though I still question the realistic possibility of a complete recovery, after almost twenty years I'm still somehow here to tell the tale. So here it is…and thanks for being a Needle user.
In any event, spurred on by my activist efforts and my readers’ interest, while in the midst of fostering a 15 year-old Himalayan cat that was rescued from an empty apartment where it was holed-up in a bird cage for three years and was now ready to rip my face off (perhaps as some sort of Karmic comeuppance for failing felines in the past), I decided to give it my best effort. After all, at the very least it might shed some insights for addicts and provide additional help for the homeless animals which, of course, is my new addiction—though it’s far more distressing and devastating than the old one. It is, in fact, the same part of my life which, prior to writing NEEDLE TOO, I briefly discussed and published at www.Needleuser.com back in 2012, and though I’m loath to regurgitate material—even if it was just a few pages shared with a very small percentage of readers—it was too important to do without in the most recent context because it detailed an event that was pivotal in how I got to where I am. And though I still question the realistic possibility of a complete recovery, after almost twenty years I'm still somehow here to tell the tale. So here it is…and thanks for being a Needle user.
- GenresAddiction
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 14, 2014
13 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 25, 2021
I enjoyed Craig's storytelling. Hes a very articulate writer. The reason Craig said he doesnt believe in recovery is because he never "recovered ". Recovery is more than just not doing drugs anymore. Its a process. Dont get me wrong, I'm very glad he quit drugs, but honestly I believe if the opportunity presented itself to him again, he would do them again. It was proven by his actions in the book multiple times. I'm also curious what happened to Perry. He never really updated us on him. As far as being a father, I'm disappointed in him. He never once fought for his little girl. When the mother withheld her, he just sat back complacent until she decided he could come back around. Come on man! That's not a father! And then to top it off, he up and moves across the country chasing another dream. What about Savannah? She needs way more than a part time daddy. I truly hope and pray she doesnt repeat the cycle of her parents and turn to drugs when she gets older.
Now, the part about Kitty was heartbreaking, but I can't be the only person who was so mad at Craig! He was just as much to blame as the others for the ending of Kitty. The other people involved showed him many times over that they did not care for Kitty at all, but all Craig did was complain about how others should have took care of the cat. I feel Craig was as even worse because he knew the condition of the cat and yet he did NOTHING to help the poor kitty until it was too late. If he truly cared, he would have found a way to get that cat to the vet. He sat there and watched that cat suffer daily! To be honest, I kind of question if the sales of this book even went to help any animals. His website is disabled and at the end of the book, he didn't have a sustainable career or even a job to support his himself. I dont know many people who are struggling to pay the bills that would just donate their paychecks (book sales) to a great cause. It seems like Mr. Goodman has disappeared from the world. I truly hope he is doing well, but I have my doubts.
Now, the part about Kitty was heartbreaking, but I can't be the only person who was so mad at Craig! He was just as much to blame as the others for the ending of Kitty. The other people involved showed him many times over that they did not care for Kitty at all, but all Craig did was complain about how others should have took care of the cat. I feel Craig was as even worse because he knew the condition of the cat and yet he did NOTHING to help the poor kitty until it was too late. If he truly cared, he would have found a way to get that cat to the vet. He sat there and watched that cat suffer daily! To be honest, I kind of question if the sales of this book even went to help any animals. His website is disabled and at the end of the book, he didn't have a sustainable career or even a job to support his himself. I dont know many people who are struggling to pay the bills that would just donate their paychecks (book sales) to a great cause. It seems like Mr. Goodman has disappeared from the world. I truly hope he is doing well, but I have my doubts.
November 9, 2017
Awesome book
For some reason I always read these sort of books, maybe it's because I like to see a happy ending & people fighting their demons, coming out of it the other side, if a little scarred from the process.
Out of all these types of books I've read though, this has got to be the best & I got through both books (Needle & Needle Too) so quickly - I'm sad they've come to an end!
Both books are perfectly written (even considering what the agent said!) & it actually has many moments that made me laugh out loud!
For some reason I always read these sort of books, maybe it's because I like to see a happy ending & people fighting their demons, coming out of it the other side, if a little scarred from the process.
Out of all these types of books I've read though, this has got to be the best & I got through both books (Needle & Needle Too) so quickly - I'm sad they've come to an end!
Both books are perfectly written (even considering what the agent said!) & it actually has many moments that made me laugh out loud!
May 22, 2020
Really great follow up to the first book - I think it was harder to get into because it was softer in tone and less hard hitting/ gripping than the first. It leads you through his “recovery” and outlines that it takes many elements of support in your life to really overcome a true tie to opiates. I found it really interesting and even though he made some questionable choices in life, I can understand why he made them!
July 21, 2021
Great follow up to Needle
I read the first book quite a few years back and enjoyed his writing style.
For reference I have never used any type of drugs but found this an eye opening novel to understand that way of life and how to overcome addiction.
I'm very glad he found his calling in life, and continues to write . I will patiently waiting for Dog Catcher in the Rye.
I read the first book quite a few years back and enjoyed his writing style.
For reference I have never used any type of drugs but found this an eye opening novel to understand that way of life and how to overcome addiction.
I'm very glad he found his calling in life, and continues to write . I will patiently waiting for Dog Catcher in the Rye.
December 2, 2018
Well I was so intrigued by Craig’s journey in the 1st book I had to immediately get Needle too to see what happened next. I don.’t want to spoil it.
October 31, 2014
This piece was self serving, self indulgent and way to verbose for my liking. I believe he could have written a few extra chapters at the end of Needle and that would have sufficed. I don't really have time to waste either right now with new works out by some of my favorites like Rice, Robbins, Palahniuk.
October 23, 2014
Amazing.
Although a little wordy at times. This book along with its predecessor opened my mind, eyes and heart to the hard truth of addiction. Craig's story is inspiring,truthful and blatantly honest. I was with him along the whole journey and came out with a new perspective. Great book.
Although a little wordy at times. This book along with its predecessor opened my mind, eyes and heart to the hard truth of addiction. Craig's story is inspiring,truthful and blatantly honest. I was with him along the whole journey and came out with a new perspective. Great book.
December 11, 2014
Ramblings
The only insight shown was that poor neglectful and unloving parents can and often do allow their offspring to grow up into adults who suffer from personality disorders. This point was repeatedly intermingled among mere ramblings, causing me to nod off more often than the heroin addict. What a total waste of time, paper and ink.
The only insight shown was that poor neglectful and unloving parents can and often do allow their offspring to grow up into adults who suffer from personality disorders. This point was repeatedly intermingled among mere ramblings, causing me to nod off more often than the heroin addict. What a total waste of time, paper and ink.
September 4, 2014
was pretty good, i had to read the squel cut qt times it dragged.
November 28, 2015
Love it
This sequel to "Needle" was awesome and as an avid pet lover myself, the fact that the proceeds go to animals in need of homes was reason enough to buy this book.
This sequel to "Needle" was awesome and as an avid pet lover myself, the fact that the proceeds go to animals in need of homes was reason enough to buy this book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews