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Teenage Degenerate
In 1996, Scott was nineteen and lost in adulthood with an endless job and no future ambitions. Teenage Degenerate is his story about drug addiction, music and growing up. Over the course of ten months, he quickly descends into the dark and dangerous world of crystal methamphetamine.
Scott experiments with crystal meth in a dark, deserted parking lot in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado and soon after his crew of misfits will do almost anything for their next high. One by one, family and friends disappear, and he is left alone with a decision to continue fighting or give up. This is his struggle to reclaim a normal life and the search for something real.
Teenage Degenerate is a brutally truthful, humorous and heartbreaking journey that explores the depths of addiction.
Scott experiments with crystal meth in a dark, deserted parking lot in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado and soon after his crew of misfits will do almost anything for their next high. One by one, family and friends disappear, and he is left alone with a decision to continue fighting or give up. This is his struggle to reclaim a normal life and the search for something real.
Teenage Degenerate is a brutally truthful, humorous and heartbreaking journey that explores the depths of addiction.
258 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
218 people are currently reading
2597 people want to read
About the author
S.C. Sterling
5 books100 followersScott C. Sterling is the author of
The Fear of Series
, crime thriller trilogy. The high-stakes action began with the debut novel,
The Fear of Winter (January 2023)
, and continues with the current follow-up,
The Fear of Fire (May 2024)
. The explosive third book in the series,
The Fear of Drowning
, a dark psychological thriller will be released in January 20
Non-fiction books include Teenage Degenerate , a memoir about drug addiction and growing up, and 33 Percent Rockstar: Music, Heartbreak and the Pursuit of Rock Stardom is a music autobiography about the vast majority of musicians who never achieve rock stardom.
Ways to connect with Scott:
Email: sc@scsterling.com
Books: scsterling.com/
Site: thefearofwinter.com
Site: teenagedegenerate.com
Non-fiction books include Teenage Degenerate , a memoir about drug addiction and growing up, and 33 Percent Rockstar: Music, Heartbreak and the Pursuit of Rock Stardom is a music autobiography about the vast majority of musicians who never achieve rock stardom.
Ways to connect with Scott:
Email: sc@scsterling.com
Books: scsterling.com/
Site: thefearofwinter.com
Site: teenagedegenerate.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
June 2, 2017
This was a great memoir of a 19 year old struggling with crystal meth addiction. Often, addiction memoirs are hit or miss, as the ppl writing them are not actual WRITERS. However, Scott Sterling could have fooled me! This book has recurring themes, a distinct voice, great character development, and is written in the format of dated entries, like a diary, adding to the immediacy of the plot.
It is 1996 in New York City. Scott is 19, and has a core group of friends but no ambition or career or college dreams. In 1996, I was 16 years old, and absolutely recognized this late 1996/97 world he describes. Especially- the music. Oh, the music. Music (esp grunge, punk and alternative) was amazing at this time (a GREAT time to be 16!) and Scott adds a 'soundtrack' to his life, peppering his adventures with details and lyrics of the songs that are playing at pivotal moments of his 'adventures', and he and his friends also attend many concerts. Also, he makes note in his entries every time a singer/performer dies IRL from drugs or violence. And it happened a lot in 1996-97...(singers/musicians for Blind Melon, Sublime, STP, Smashing Pumpkins, etc). I too, remember crying over these tragedies and it helped establish the setting perfectly.
I could not, however, give this a 5 star rating because of the terrible ending. After a great read full of details from almost every single day of his life between '96-'97, the ending/recovery phase of the book lasts a total of 3 measly pages! He sums up 375 days in 3 pages! After going on this crazy ride with the author, you really want to know MORE about just HOW he was able to overcome his problems, and he denies us that story....unless he is going to save that for a sequel?? Even so, not cool, dude. --Jen from Quebec :0)
It is 1996 in New York City. Scott is 19, and has a core group of friends but no ambition or career or college dreams. In 1996, I was 16 years old, and absolutely recognized this late 1996/97 world he describes. Especially- the music. Oh, the music. Music (esp grunge, punk and alternative) was amazing at this time (a GREAT time to be 16!) and Scott adds a 'soundtrack' to his life, peppering his adventures with details and lyrics of the songs that are playing at pivotal moments of his 'adventures', and he and his friends also attend many concerts. Also, he makes note in his entries every time a singer/performer dies IRL from drugs or violence. And it happened a lot in 1996-97...(singers/musicians for Blind Melon, Sublime, STP, Smashing Pumpkins, etc). I too, remember crying over these tragedies and it helped establish the setting perfectly.
I could not, however, give this a 5 star rating because of the terrible ending. After a great read full of details from almost every single day of his life between '96-'97, the ending/recovery phase of the book lasts a total of 3 measly pages! He sums up 375 days in 3 pages! After going on this crazy ride with the author, you really want to know MORE about just HOW he was able to overcome his problems, and he denies us that story....unless he is going to save that for a sequel?? Even so, not cool, dude. --Jen from Quebec :0)
January 7, 2025
Tweakers
Although the ending was a positive one, reading this book was painful.
I would encourage you to invest in another type of educational book if you are looking to be inspired.
Although the ending was a positive one, reading this book was painful.
I would encourage you to invest in another type of educational book if you are looking to be inspired.
February 28, 2018
A really important book
Every time I read one of this true stories about drug users that gone through hell and back again aka in recovery I felt so proud of them. Might sounds crazy but I have been unlucky to known a couple of addicted, really good friends that never make it back from hell. They didn't have the courage to change the things they could and the drugs sent them to death. I don't like drugs, I hate them most of all things in this world because they are such tricky things, just like this in recovery abuser write about. First you take it at parties and before you know you are capable to trade your mother for the drug...
Lots of people look down at this scum bags and hate or dislike the addicted and don't understand that this is a disease just like alcoholism or game player that lives their life in computer games. I am the first to say that drug users are horrible when they are sick, their lives is about lying and stealing and get the next dose no matter what, but behind the mask they are mostly nice people with big hearts. If you don't believe me go to an open meeting at NA and you will be chocked by the lovely way they welcome you. That's the reason why books like is so important, books written by the ones that know how the drug works both when they are high and the back side of it. Not just the withdrawn (that is only right that they suffer) because they have a long list of people that have suffered while they where active, people that love them and cares for them and often gets codependent and enabliers.
I think book like this should be read in schools to educate the young people because if just one says No when someone invite them to smoke (it's often the first step) weed it's worth more then any money in the world. I want to thank the author for his courage to tell his story because it's a lot of guilt and shame to get over before you could honestly tell others of your illegal life. And to all that read this please remember that one is to much and thousen never enough...
Every time I read one of this true stories about drug users that gone through hell and back again aka in recovery I felt so proud of them. Might sounds crazy but I have been unlucky to known a couple of addicted, really good friends that never make it back from hell. They didn't have the courage to change the things they could and the drugs sent them to death. I don't like drugs, I hate them most of all things in this world because they are such tricky things, just like this in recovery abuser write about. First you take it at parties and before you know you are capable to trade your mother for the drug...
Lots of people look down at this scum bags and hate or dislike the addicted and don't understand that this is a disease just like alcoholism or game player that lives their life in computer games. I am the first to say that drug users are horrible when they are sick, their lives is about lying and stealing and get the next dose no matter what, but behind the mask they are mostly nice people with big hearts. If you don't believe me go to an open meeting at NA and you will be chocked by the lovely way they welcome you. That's the reason why books like is so important, books written by the ones that know how the drug works both when they are high and the back side of it. Not just the withdrawn (that is only right that they suffer) because they have a long list of people that have suffered while they where active, people that love them and cares for them and often gets codependent and enabliers.
I think book like this should be read in schools to educate the young people because if just one says No when someone invite them to smoke (it's often the first step) weed it's worth more then any money in the world. I want to thank the author for his courage to tell his story because it's a lot of guilt and shame to get over before you could honestly tell others of your illegal life. And to all that read this please remember that one is to much and thousen never enough...
August 1, 2017
Wow! A must read! Drugs, sex, danger..... I was intrigued throughout the entire book!
I don't want to quote any of the book, because the build up to some of the laugh out loud moments is just too good! ....but lets just say someone snorts a Dorito chip thinking it's crystal.
I don't want to quote any of the book, because the build up to some of the laugh out loud moments is just too good! ....but lets just say someone snorts a Dorito chip thinking it's crystal.
September 3, 2022
I really enjoyed this book, the plot was interesting and kept me hooked through the whole journey. My only criticism is that i felt that the ending was a bit rushed in contrast to the slow paced story telling in the beginning. I will definitely be adding this to my shelf of favorites.
March 14, 2016
In 1996, "Teenage Degenerate"’s author Scott Sterling was nineteen and lost in adulthood with n thankless job and a future without any promise. The book is Sterling’s firsthand account of shedding his addiction to dangerous drugs as a way of growing up. His rapid decline once in the clutches of crystal methamphetamine addiction is a horror show magnified to highlight all the worst aspects.
"Up to that point, I had avoided getting meth sores or 'meth mites,' associated with meth addicts. The sores usually occur from constant picking at a problem area, and that becomes larger and larger, and then usually spreads to other areas. The sores take longer to heal because meth restricts blood flow to the infected area. A few days before Thanksgiving, I got my first meth sore, it was on my forearm. It was small compared to others I had seen, so I considered myself lucky."
In this book, young, misguided Scott experiments with crystal meth in dark, deserted parking lots all over the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, making and breaking deals among an ever changing smorgasbord of mutated outliers desperate for the next rush of chemicals. Inevitably, trusted family connections wither and atrophy in the wake of that synthetic storm of junk, leaving the author with hard cold facts mandating desperate realignment of his withered sensibilities. Teenage Degenerate is a deadpan recounting of the perilous and worsening path trod by its author in the experience and ultimate renunciation of addiction to manmade chemical “fixes,” which always fall short, narrating its author’s arduous effort to wrest back some semblance of normalcy and realness after hitting rock bottom.
Continued HERE:
http://www.examiner.com/review/teenag...
"Up to that point, I had avoided getting meth sores or 'meth mites,' associated with meth addicts. The sores usually occur from constant picking at a problem area, and that becomes larger and larger, and then usually spreads to other areas. The sores take longer to heal because meth restricts blood flow to the infected area. A few days before Thanksgiving, I got my first meth sore, it was on my forearm. It was small compared to others I had seen, so I considered myself lucky."
In this book, young, misguided Scott experiments with crystal meth in dark, deserted parking lots all over the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, making and breaking deals among an ever changing smorgasbord of mutated outliers desperate for the next rush of chemicals. Inevitably, trusted family connections wither and atrophy in the wake of that synthetic storm of junk, leaving the author with hard cold facts mandating desperate realignment of his withered sensibilities. Teenage Degenerate is a deadpan recounting of the perilous and worsening path trod by its author in the experience and ultimate renunciation of addiction to manmade chemical “fixes,” which always fall short, narrating its author’s arduous effort to wrest back some semblance of normalcy and realness after hitting rock bottom.
Continued HERE:
http://www.examiner.com/review/teenag...
September 12, 2017
Intense journal
I really like the way the book read as a journal. Very intense and at times exciting. Book was very well written
I really like the way the book read as a journal. Very intense and at times exciting. Book was very well written
February 2, 2017
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
Stepped out of my comfort zone with this book. Was pleasantly surprised. I liked the raw, non-nonsense approach although at times the graphic content was a bit shocking. As a reader I felt part of Scott's journey; the harsh reality of what he was going through could be felt throughout the book. Terrifying and sad. It struck me how he lost friends along the way "it was the last time I ever saw...." What a lonely place to be and it was depicted very well in the book.
Although it wasn't my favourite style of writing or type of book (I am more of a fiction person) I feel the author did a fantastic job with they way he wrote and the way the story was told.
Thinking back on the book I felt the need to add a star as the story has been rolling around in my mind for few days which means the book actually left an impression. I highly recommended this book.
Stepped out of my comfort zone with this book. Was pleasantly surprised. I liked the raw, non-nonsense approach although at times the graphic content was a bit shocking. As a reader I felt part of Scott's journey; the harsh reality of what he was going through could be felt throughout the book. Terrifying and sad. It struck me how he lost friends along the way "it was the last time I ever saw...." What a lonely place to be and it was depicted very well in the book.
Although it wasn't my favourite style of writing or type of book (I am more of a fiction person) I feel the author did a fantastic job with they way he wrote and the way the story was told.
Thinking back on the book I felt the need to add a star as the story has been rolling around in my mind for few days which means the book actually left an impression. I highly recommended this book.
March 12, 2016
This is the exact kind of imposingly honest, spare-no-details retelling of a teenager's foray into the world of addiction that I was hoping it would be. Sterling's style of writing and the story itself made me feel like I was talking to a friend about this experience; just save the formalities and tell it like it is. I got so caught up in the story itself that I repeatedly had to take a step back to remind myself that this is true and that it all transpired within one year of a young man's life. Even with the heavy, over-arching seriousness of the story, Teenage Degenerate was a light, entertaining, and funny read.
I would like to thank the author for providing a copy of this book via Goodreads giveaway. I really appreciate your generosity and talent!
I would like to thank the author for providing a copy of this book via Goodreads giveaway. I really appreciate your generosity and talent!
November 30, 2017
This book is amazing.. I recommend this book to any one who is willing to take a walk in somebody else's shoes and see what addiction is REALLY about. This book is well written and for me it is really relatable.... so many parts of this book I was like DAM ME TOO.. the book really digs deep down into the feelings an addict eventually feels when your life literally turns to shit right before your very eyes. It was spot on. I read it in a day and a half I could not put it down, I just couldn't wait to see how it ended. I would read other books by the author. I enjoyed his writing and the book is well written.
March 8, 2016
Sterling makes no apologies as he walks you through the reality of addiction. He blends his love of music into the story and, being of the same generation, his choice of music in itself tells the story. This is a rare book in a sea of addiction memoirs that stands out based on not only the style of writing, but also on the nearly perfect (is anything perfect?) editing job.
I read this in one sitting and was nodding my head in recognition for most of the book.
I read this in one sitting and was nodding my head in recognition for most of the book.
March 30, 2016
Holy wow this was intense!! I have read a few addiction books/memoirs and this one ranks in the top 2 or 3. I would recommend this to anyone with an addiction, a loved one with an addiction problem or someone that loves the genre.
February 27, 2022
Read this book!
As a recovering Meth and Heroin addict I can say this was a great read .... Tho sometimes it made me sad because so much of this was like been there don't that! But great read!! Reminders of why ill never go back to that dark place!!
As a recovering Meth and Heroin addict I can say this was a great read .... Tho sometimes it made me sad because so much of this was like been there don't that! But great read!! Reminders of why ill never go back to that dark place!!
April 2, 2016
This book was amazing I have to say that but the last couple of pages I didn't get but maybe it's my fault i don't understand but this book was amazing and written by an amazing author.
March 5, 2021
I devoured this book. being not far away from 19 and a recovering addict myself, the beginning is too recognizable. the spiral downward, however, is terrifying. I do wish that we were given more insight into his mom's perspective (she surely knew he was doing some sketchy stuff) and wish the ending wasn't so rushed. it really seemed like "that's it, I learned my lesson, don't do meth," and it seems like Scott would have benefited from a more honest and insightful passage about WHY he was using in the first place. it's a very similar format and story as Tweak by Nic Sheff, so if th liked that, you'll love this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2022
good but the ending…
I’m not sure how I felt about this book tbh- scott is definitely a teenage dirtbag- I hated how he knew what he was doing was an asshole move but he went ahead and did it anyway. I know that’s part of what addiction is- but it seems incredulous that scott could just keep doing it and then just decide to quit and not look back. I’ve watched a lot of intervention and have friends who have been addicts and his ending just seems too hard to believe. But who am I to judge?
I’m not sure how I felt about this book tbh- scott is definitely a teenage dirtbag- I hated how he knew what he was doing was an asshole move but he went ahead and did it anyway. I know that’s part of what addiction is- but it seems incredulous that scott could just keep doing it and then just decide to quit and not look back. I’ve watched a lot of intervention and have friends who have been addicts and his ending just seems too hard to believe. But who am I to judge?
November 24, 2017
I was given the book for an honest review. "Teenage Degenerate" is a roller coaster ride of emotions and events through the eyes of an addict. It was brutally honest and hard to put down. I felt every emotion as it happened. I read the book in one day. The book was incredibly interesting until it got to the end. The end was unexpected. I was kind of bummed about the ending. This book is still a great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
February 22, 2021
Overall i thought the book was an okay read. Although the novel was a very slow pace, the plot was interesting and kept you wanting more. if the book thought me one things its how to properly cook and use meth, which may come in handy! I saw a review on this book saying all kids in high school should be required to read this book but i disagree. This book ,in my opinion, glorifies the usage of crystal instead of showing the dangers of it.
Read
January 12, 2019Decent book, especially seeing how the Author gave me a free copy. He's done something I haven't been able to yet, write and publish a book, good for him, and good on his sobriety.
On to the next, Im going to Finish White Trash in America if it fucking kills me.
On to the next, Im going to Finish White Trash in America if it fucking kills me.
June 10, 2018
Gripping
Absolutely shockingly honest account of how quickly you can get drawn in the deepest drug addiction and the horrible truths of meth (crystal) addiction in America in the 90s
Absolutely shockingly honest account of how quickly you can get drawn in the deepest drug addiction and the horrible truths of meth (crystal) addiction in America in the 90s
December 29, 2018
Scariest book ever
I read this book to understand life led by substance abuse. Thank you for your detailed account. I guess as Scott says, the user has few choices as to getting clean. Our medical system offers extremely little help, so it's death, prison, or scared straight. Private help is expensive. These people are not throw away citizens.
I read this book to understand life led by substance abuse. Thank you for your detailed account. I guess as Scott says, the user has few choices as to getting clean. Our medical system offers extremely little help, so it's death, prison, or scared straight. Private help is expensive. These people are not throw away citizens.
January 1, 2019
I absolutely loved this book. It’s so we written. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down. I just had to know what happened.
March 29, 2020
Good read
It is an in-depth story of first hand meth addiction. Page turner for sure. I enjoyed it. Liked the realism
It is an in-depth story of first hand meth addiction. Page turner for sure. I enjoyed it. Liked the realism
April 13, 2020
Haunting Memoir
I honestly could not put this book down! I found myself rooting for a drug addict, which was not something I expected to do when I began reading this book! This memoir will stay with you for quite sometime!
I honestly could not put this book down! I found myself rooting for a drug addict, which was not something I expected to do when I began reading this book! This memoir will stay with you for quite sometime!
June 2, 2017
Good read
A very grown up, insightful and entertaining book. Very worth the read. I believe the author is pretty young but writes like he learned a few lessons.
A very grown up, insightful and entertaining book. Very worth the read. I believe the author is pretty young but writes like he learned a few lessons.
October 22, 2017
I stumbled across this because I am from Denver and enjoy reading books based in Denver/Colorado. That being said, I normally wouldn't read an addiction/drug memoir, but I am glad I did. This is a fantastic book and I feel the author represents Denver perfectly.
July 7, 2018
I was sent this book by the author for an honest review and I must say I quite enjoyed this book. I loved that it was very honest he didn't try to hide what happened. He tells it like it is. I find the ending of this drug memoir quite diffrent from other drug memoirs. The ending was surprising and catches you off gard and I really enjoyed it. The story was interesting and I'm glad I read it
March 23, 2020
Insightful view into being a teenager spiralling into drug addiction and the chaos that runs its course around you, as you lose family members, friends, reputation, dignity as you find yourself mechanising ways to come up with your next score, day after day, your only daily motivation. Explores the fine line between delinquent drug experimentation spanning out into full blown addiction. I love the journal style of writing, feels very personal, no bullshit, no chaser type of approach and just an overall raw account on being addicted to crystal mephampatine.
September 24, 2022
good quick read
It shows a trajectory of meth use. And what I liked is the end. No conventional ways just good old fashioned willpower
It shows a trajectory of meth use. And what I liked is the end. No conventional ways just good old fashioned willpower
July 23, 2017
Oh god that was an intense and scary and raw memoir.
I am incredibly glad that A) I've never become addicted to any drugs and B) there (mostly) aren't people running with guns in the uk.
I'm so glad that that Scott made it out alive.
I am incredibly glad that A) I've never become addicted to any drugs and B) there (mostly) aren't people running with guns in the uk.
I'm so glad that that Scott made it out alive.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews