Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope, and Resisting Drug Addiction

by Geri Lynn Utter, Utte

It's only 20 miles from the Mainline suburb of Philadelphia to the area known as Kensington, but it may as well be a world away. The Mainline is one of Philadelphia's most tony sections, famous for mansions and tennis courts and Princess Grace Kelley. Kensington is a decaying, poverty-stricken, drug-drenched blight, a place some can't escape, yet others escape to as they sink into a world of drugs and despair.Meeting Philadelphia native Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter, PsyD. for the first time, it would be easy to assume she's the product of the elite schools and glossy social life of the Mainline. But in fact, Geri-Lynn grew up in Kensington, her father and her mother both lifelong drug addicts. She saw firsthand the torment of addiction. The violence of the ""life."" The despair that there could be no way out except death by overdose.Mainlining Philly is the harrowing story of how Geri-Lynn survived the grim alleys of Kensington and became a respected mental health professional. Her unique insight into the nature of addiction gives her the tools to offer solutions to those addicted and the families who love them. At times terrifying, startling, and hilarious, Mainlining Philly is a ride on the wrong sides of the tracks that you won't be able to put down and you will never forget.

136 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2021

Reviews

[Jack Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first autobiography that kept me interested and felt truly beneficial. It was inspiring, impressive—even gut-wrenching at times—but outside of all of that it was also educational.

As someone who lives not long out of Philly with an aspiration of working in law enforcement, while also knowing a fair share of friends and family who struggle/struggled with addiction to illicit substances I can confidently say this book will stick with me for awhile!