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A Walk In His Shoes: One family's struggle. A son's battle with addiction.
Dustin’s life was once full of joy, happiness, security, and success. With a lucrative job, a wife, and a home of his own, he was destined for a life of fortune, prosperity and comfort.
That was before heroin.
This unique and gripping tale is the first of its kind to tell the story of addiction through the eyes of both father and son. Together, Dustin and Dallas shine a blinding light on the dark life of a junky.
As Dustin decides to travel across the western states in search of a safe haven, Dustin wanders within a few footsteps of his own demise. Instead of finding freedom, however, his addiction cascades into corruption, deceit, and evil.
As alcohol and drug abuse continues to ravage every community in America, this groundbreaking memoir offers important insight into the inner workings of an active user, as well as the pain of those loved ones who must helplessly stand by as the family structure disintegrates from addiction.
That was before heroin.
This unique and gripping tale is the first of its kind to tell the story of addiction through the eyes of both father and son. Together, Dustin and Dallas shine a blinding light on the dark life of a junky.
As Dustin decides to travel across the western states in search of a safe haven, Dustin wanders within a few footsteps of his own demise. Instead of finding freedom, however, his addiction cascades into corruption, deceit, and evil.
As alcohol and drug abuse continues to ravage every community in America, this groundbreaking memoir offers important insight into the inner workings of an active user, as well as the pain of those loved ones who must helplessly stand by as the family structure disintegrates from addiction.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2015
106 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 20, 2016
A moving memoir about a family's battle with and through addiction, told by the son addict and the father too, giving both sides' view of what it was like. Filled with much information about addiction and relapse, and it attempts to assist others to avoid the same pitfalls along the way. Brutally honest telling of the addict's story, giving examples of the awful lows he endured before finally finding his way out of the mire and into meaningful and eventually lasting sobriety. Sadly, the father passed away before the book was eventually published, yet it remains as a beacon of hope to others needing help and advice to endure and triumph over the drug demons.
March 14, 2016
This story of Dustin's descension into the world of drugs is horrific to read. I really like that Dustin wrote a chapter about his nefarious activities and then Dallas, his father, would tell what the family was going through at the same time.
I knew Dallas and his family and visited with them during these years, and though I knew of Dustin, I had no way to grasp how bad things were with him or the extent of the family's problems as a result. We can empathize, but we just can't understand unless "we walk a mile in his shoes."
The drug world is truly insidious and destructive. I cannot express how awful it must be to be within its clutches. We have relatives in similar circumstances and it is sorrowful. It doesn't seem possible that such things can occur in our sleepy little towns, but they do. We must be aware and take precautions. Dustin revealed many of the means by which he obtained his drugs. I, for one, will be on the watch-out
Hurrah for Dustin. He overcame his drug use and is living a better life. Dallas may be gone from this life, but is, no doubt, at peace that his son has prevailed.
To Kris: We'll always be friends, no matter what! I love you.
I knew Dallas and his family and visited with them during these years, and though I knew of Dustin, I had no way to grasp how bad things were with him or the extent of the family's problems as a result. We can empathize, but we just can't understand unless "we walk a mile in his shoes."
The drug world is truly insidious and destructive. I cannot express how awful it must be to be within its clutches. We have relatives in similar circumstances and it is sorrowful. It doesn't seem possible that such things can occur in our sleepy little towns, but they do. We must be aware and take precautions. Dustin revealed many of the means by which he obtained his drugs. I, for one, will be on the watch-out
Hurrah for Dustin. He overcame his drug use and is living a better life. Dallas may be gone from this life, but is, no doubt, at peace that his son has prevailed.
To Kris: We'll always be friends, no matter what! I love you.
March 27, 2016
As I sat and read this book, within the first few pages I was crying. It's hard coping with addictions, and heroin is the hardest of them all. It is a great insight into the minds of those who dealt with the beast of addiction. I often read where his parents mocked their own "Stupidity" but in reality, I never once thought they were stupid for trying to help their son cope with what he was going through. I can understand the frustrations they went through each time he fell back out of sobriety, but I never once though condemning thoughts considering they did all of this out of love.I hope those of you who read this understand what addiction really is. It isn't something that can be controlled or tempered. It is a disease of the brain that needs to be dealt with. Whether it is dealt with love or tough love, never give up on the people you love who have any type of addiction! Thank you Dustin for penning this memoir! I hope everyone in the world finds it and reads it! Especially those who need the guidance...
March 9, 2016
Awesome perspective
Worth the time and informative. Tells the story of addiction from the user and the codependents point of view. Brutally honest.
Worth the time and informative. Tells the story of addiction from the user and the codependents point of view. Brutally honest.
February 17, 2016
"Believing In A Power Greater Than Ourselves"
I am not sure where to start with my review of Author, Dustin John's new book. What a powerful and in-depth memoir. I really enjoyed how Dustin put his memoir together and how the second half was sharing from his late father. He gives an inside look of how drug addiction impacts not just the addict, but the whole family. As you read the sharing from his dad, it pulls at your heart deeply.
They way Dustin put his journals into this book (and I loved the print footsteps throughout the book), it is like your in this journey along side him. It can be tricky when adding your journaling into book form. Some readers find it redundant, but not here in this book. The flow and Dustin's writing style shines through. And Dustin's preface set the stage for readers to withhold "judgments" until they finish this book. Stigma around those of us in recovery can be cruel.
We say in recovery, "our stories can be a powerful tool to others understand and learn from."
I can tell you, after reading this book? Dustin has been through hell and back. Drug addiction is a mean beast and takes to many lives every year. But as Dustin has eloquently written in his book, we can recover. I highly suggest this book to parents if they suspect their kids may be using drugs.
My favorite bright spot is chapter 16 titled; "Miracles" .... Need I say more?
This book is not just about a man's story, it is also a useful resource of how to recover and reclaim your life from addiction. Excellent Job Dustin!
I am not sure where to start with my review of Author, Dustin John's new book. What a powerful and in-depth memoir. I really enjoyed how Dustin put his memoir together and how the second half was sharing from his late father. He gives an inside look of how drug addiction impacts not just the addict, but the whole family. As you read the sharing from his dad, it pulls at your heart deeply.
They way Dustin put his journals into this book (and I loved the print footsteps throughout the book), it is like your in this journey along side him. It can be tricky when adding your journaling into book form. Some readers find it redundant, but not here in this book. The flow and Dustin's writing style shines through. And Dustin's preface set the stage for readers to withhold "judgments" until they finish this book. Stigma around those of us in recovery can be cruel.
We say in recovery, "our stories can be a powerful tool to others understand and learn from."
I can tell you, after reading this book? Dustin has been through hell and back. Drug addiction is a mean beast and takes to many lives every year. But as Dustin has eloquently written in his book, we can recover. I highly suggest this book to parents if they suspect their kids may be using drugs.
My favorite bright spot is chapter 16 titled; "Miracles" .... Need I say more?
This book is not just about a man's story, it is also a useful resource of how to recover and reclaim your life from addiction. Excellent Job Dustin!
December 12, 2017
Wow Getting high ! Wow
Well Dustin your life. I know you must hated life a lot. Your parents they love so very much. But then didn't want you around. Me am a addict and no one here for me. I not that bad. But I think when we fail we can't see no love. As you did you ask for help or anything and your family was there. Sorry about your dad. I think he know you are a great son. Now you are clean. You are living a happy life. New wife and you can see that there is something to live for. You got it all good. Good luck.
Well Dustin your life. I know you must hated life a lot. Your parents they love so very much. But then didn't want you around. Me am a addict and no one here for me. I not that bad. But I think when we fail we can't see no love. As you did you ask for help or anything and your family was there. Sorry about your dad. I think he know you are a great son. Now you are clean. You are living a happy life. New wife and you can see that there is something to live for. You got it all good. Good luck.
July 28, 2017
Amazing!
Honest, gripping & very well written. I couldn't put it down once started. Having gone through it all myself in the same place (SLC, UT) made it more real as i could picture & know where or what he was talking about based on the descriptions.
Honest, gripping & very well written. I couldn't put it down once started. Having gone through it all myself in the same place (SLC, UT) made it more real as i could picture & know where or what he was talking about based on the descriptions.
May 18, 2016
A life of a junkie through the eyes of a father and son. With drugs and alcohol addiction affecting everyone this is an interesting read.
March 19, 2016
Wow! Very insightful! I love how, as a reader, I see into the minds of Dustin and his father.
June 13, 2017
The Walk
A very open and honest account of how this horrible drug takes hold relentlessly on one's mind and body and refuses to let go! Very well written.
A very open and honest account of how this horrible drug takes hold relentlessly on one's mind and body and refuses to let go! Very well written.
February 22, 2018
Great book!
Couldn’t put it down! Lived the reality of the stories in this book and gives me great hope for the future!
Couldn’t put it down! Lived the reality of the stories in this book and gives me great hope for the future!
March 13, 2017
A heartbreakingly powerful read.
A Walk In His Shoes by Dustin and Dallas John will take you on a walk that you won’t soon forget.
Written by both the drug addicted son and concerned father, each chapter shares a different perspective of the same timeframe and set of events. I enjoyed the layout and after a few chapters I found myself curious about what the alternate perspective would hold and how it would differ.
The story, told with raw and real emotion, held my attention and I found myself going from cheering Dustin on to being in tears over and over again. Although I haven’t experienced drug addiction first hand, I learned a lot about the struggle while reading this book and applaud the author for being brave enough to share his story.
The book is well written and I would definitely read more from this author. This book will stay with me for a long time.
A must read for anyone faced with addiction and everyone who loves an addict.
A Walk In His Shoes by Dustin and Dallas John will take you on a walk that you won’t soon forget.
Written by both the drug addicted son and concerned father, each chapter shares a different perspective of the same timeframe and set of events. I enjoyed the layout and after a few chapters I found myself curious about what the alternate perspective would hold and how it would differ.
The story, told with raw and real emotion, held my attention and I found myself going from cheering Dustin on to being in tears over and over again. Although I haven’t experienced drug addiction first hand, I learned a lot about the struggle while reading this book and applaud the author for being brave enough to share his story.
The book is well written and I would definitely read more from this author. This book will stay with me for a long time.
A must read for anyone faced with addiction and everyone who loves an addict.
September 24, 2018
Have this two stars because I had a hard time getting through it. Not because of the content of story itself, but specifically because reading the kindle version from Amazon was difficult. It could have used an editor to go through and fix errors with punctuation and formatting. Reading books that don't seem as though they were edited properly is incredibly frustrating to me. The story was moving and interesting, but I was annoyed by all the grammatical errors and stopped reading.
May 21, 2020
Great read, meaningful , gemuine
I really liked how the story was written. By chapter from the addict, then the family's viewpoint. I did not like some of the advice the father gave about trust in recovery. At some pint u must let that addict establish and build trust back, even in little doses at a time.
I really liked how the story was written. By chapter from the addict, then the family's viewpoint. I did not like some of the advice the father gave about trust in recovery. At some pint u must let that addict establish and build trust back, even in little doses at a time.
April 14, 2016
This memoir is written in alternating chapters by Dustin John and his dad Dallas John. Dustin became a drug addict when he was in his teens. Obviously this had a huge impact on him and his family. After many years of hardships, plus financial, emotional, and physical devastation, as well as relapses and several near death experiences, Dustin hit bottom and finally began to turn his life back around.
It was really interesting to hear both sides of the story in this manner. Dustin would tell what he was going through and then Dallas would respond with how it was affecting him, his wife, and the rest of the family. Dallas especially has advice for those who know/are trying to help addicts, especially within their families. One chapter is written by Dustin's mom which is also insightful.
Sadly, the family was in a rush to publish the book, as Dallas had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. They wanted to publish right away so he could see the project come to fruition before he passed away. Therefore there were some grammatical and spelling errors throughout. They were distracting but did not diminish the power of the story - although it did get a bit didactic and repetitive at times.
*I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaways.
It was really interesting to hear both sides of the story in this manner. Dustin would tell what he was going through and then Dallas would respond with how it was affecting him, his wife, and the rest of the family. Dallas especially has advice for those who know/are trying to help addicts, especially within their families. One chapter is written by Dustin's mom which is also insightful.
Sadly, the family was in a rush to publish the book, as Dallas had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. They wanted to publish right away so he could see the project come to fruition before he passed away. Therefore there were some grammatical and spelling errors throughout. They were distracting but did not diminish the power of the story - although it did get a bit didactic and repetitive at times.
*I received a free copy of this book through the Goodreads Giveaways.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews