Once An Addict: The Fascinating True Story of One Man's Escape from the Murky Drugs Underworld

by Barry Woodward, Andrew J. Chamberlain

Barry Woodward grew up in Greater Manchester, England. At the age of 16 he left school without any qualifications and was drawn into the drug scene, experimenting with cannabis, amphetamines and LSD. This led to a heroin addiction and life as a drugs supplier.
For twelve years he was totally dependent on drugs, during which time he spent a number of terms in prison. Miraculously, his life turned around completely following an amazing sequence of supernatural encounters.

Genres: Christian

250 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Chas Bayfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barry Woodward is an inspiration. He was living a miserable life of addiction, robbery and prison. Finally, he made a decision to sort himself out, moved away from his familiar haunts and settled down to a quiet life in a small council flat in Rochdale, walking his dog and picking up his methadone prescriptions. Then he met a tattooed skinhead on a bus who invited him to church. It's a brilliant book, describing vividly the Madchester drug scene of the late eighties and early nineties but also the fall out from this that Barry experienced. I don't think you need to be religious to appreciate this book, but Barry's sudden and dramatic escape from his addictions makes gripping reading. I also like the small details in the book - Barry's fellow inmates in Manchester prisons and particularly the kind hearted woman who used to stand at the prison fence and flash her boobs for the men inside! Well worth a read.

[Victoria McBride · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read, gives on an honest account of living in active addiction and the subsequent enlightenment through finding God. Not the most well written book but nonetheless a good message to be heard.

[Penny Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting story, badly written.

[LN Digital Skills · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was amazed at all the ups and downs this man went through and how all this helped him. He explains everything perfectly and I couldn't stop reading about his life!
This books shows you so much of what a lot of people are going through just to keep living their life. They can't get out until they actually want to change for the right reasons, at the right time. Lots of emotion!
I would recommend this book because we all have been through something like this or know someone who has as well. It can make you see that people can change and makes you understand a lot about different people. Everyone deserves a second chance!
God plays a very big part of Barry's life, he is the main character in this story as it is based on the ups and downs of his life.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This autobiography is wonderful, it’s so easy to read I completely devoured it! It might not be perfect grammatical English but who cares when the story and heart behind it is so important! It was eye opening and very detailed in places which I did wonder if that would be a bit triggering for some struggling with addiction but for someone like myself who has never had that problem, it was very educational. Barry writes so clearly and personally, it couldn’t be more accessible! I saw him speak and he is amazing, God is clearly using him.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first half of this book. There were a few instances of 'where' instead of 'were', but that could be a problem with proofreading. It was honest, but you could tell it wasn't written by a professional writer. Not that this matters, I've never written a book, so what do I know?

The reason I've given it 2 stars is that halfway through the writer finds God, and then that is literally all he talks about right up until the last chapter when he tries to persuade the reader to find God. No thank you.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I read it in the space of two days as I became engrossed in this man's story of how his life spiralled out of control. It was written in a very direct way and also took me back to Britain in the 80s & 90s (it's music and culture etc).
I will leave it to potential readers to find out what became of Barry the criminal junkie!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful easy to read fascinating book .No boring parts life-changing book that's worth sharing and rereading.I love it

[Sally McRogerson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing great to say about it really. If you are as "shocked and suprised" by this as the blurb suggests I guess you've been living in an ivory tower your whole life and never met an addict, in or out of recovery. There are many people out there who have undergone similar experiences. Please God they don't all write a book...

[Nicola brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing read and to hear live highly recommended