Facing the Dragon: How a Desperate Act Pulled One Addict Out of Methamphetamine Hell

by David Parnell, Amy Hammond Hagberg (Ghostwriter)

After more than twenty-three years addicted to methamphetamine and other drugs, David Parnell put an SKS assault rifle under his chin and pulled the trigger.

The blast took off half his face, yet somehow he survived. They called Parnell the "miracle man" at the Nashville hospital where he'd been pronounced clinically dead. Following an afterlife experience where he briefly experienced hell, David woke up in the hospital, and he was changed forever, both physically and emotionally.

In Facing the Dragon , readers will witness the slow, agonizing metamorphosis of a good-looking high school athlete into a violent, drug-dealing, psychotic wife beater whose children were terrified of him. In graphic detail, they will relive his suicide attempts and then walk alongside him as he endures countless surgeries to reconstruct his decimated face and learns how to cope with his hideous disfigurement.

Now thirty-nine, Parnell is clean and sober and is making the most of the second chance he's been given, bringing his message about the dangers of meth and other drugs to schools, prisons, churches, and antidrug organizations around the world as a full-time lecturer.

By experiencing the nightmare of his life-—and his brief glimpse of hell--readers will find hope and healing when facing their own life-threatening dragons.

Genres: Addiction, Memoir, Psychology, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2010

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's truly amazing what Parnell went through and where he is today I hope he continues to make a difference in people's lives as he talks about his past and that they will not do what he did. I cannot wait to here him speak at our school in the next few weeks

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent account of this man's descent into the hell of methamphetamine addiction. Anyone who decides to "experiment" with drugs should read this. Parnell was able to live a relatively normal life early in his meth use, but we see the inevitable result and the tragic result. It's fine to read about drug use from physicians and other "experts," but this is an account of what happens to an addict - from an addict. Every drug abuse counselor should have a copy on his shelf... every parent should read it, and be aware of the danger signs.

[Kristen Munson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intense. I like how this author really told it like it is from the standpoint of an addict. I learned a lot about addiction and what is really behind an addicts thinking.

[Emma Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very brave journey through one man's incredible survival through his crystal Methamphetamine addiction and his failed suicide attempt.David Parnell by the end of the book is brought to his knees in full psychosis when he tries to blow his face off. He survives and it changes the course of his life forever. It is tragic that he had to blow his head off to rattled out of his self induced hell but non theless he appears to be a brave and inspiring man. What a story I feel grateful to have read it and will remember this story until my dying day. It was graphic at times but so glad he wrote the book. It should deter anyone from doing drugs and or crystal meth. I'm not religious which is why I find his account of his NDE interesting how he experienced God and the Devil. But as I believe death is another realm of sleep unconsciousness the holy characters are a result of his dreaming and his religious upbringing. I had to cringe when I saw the words God ws there and the devil is real but other than that-I gave this book my full respect and attention. Not for the faint of heart. This man is a living survivor.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is truly amazing, the transformation God worked in David Parnell's life, saving him from a life of severe addiction, violence, and immorality. The story is extremely painful, though, and about 80% of it is devoted to the horror of his life before God. While good as a cautionary tale, it was difficult to read and highly disturbing (many parts I had to skip over). I feel like I have a better understanding of what meth does to a person and got a good look at the heart of addiction, but it sure wasn't a pleasant ride. This book is definitely not for kids and I'm not sure that I'd recommend it anyone. It would be nice if there was an edited version that focused more on the transformation and a little less on the sin and ugliness. I understand the need to be real and I very much appreciate Parnell's honesty, but some things I just didn't need to know.

The two star rating is in no way meant to knock Parnell - my hat is off to him and I really admire him in many ways. It just reflects how uncomfortable and unpleasant a read this was.

[Elise Hennessey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow... I am so sad this book had to come to an end! This memoir was amazing from start to finish. If this book ended up in the right hands at the right time it could change so many lives. I wish more then anything people around the world would read stories like these before deciding to play around with any drug. Memoirs like this can prevent people from touching them to begin with.
Parnell goes into serious detail about addiction & dancing with the devil- literally. There is detail about why he chose to do what he did (when he knew), there are scientific explanations as to what happens to your mental state while on drugs. All in all, the detail in this memoir is what had me so drawn in from the beginning. As depressing as this story was there is so much positivity in the end. I hope Parnell continues to speak & share his story because again, this is a story that could change life’s.

[Matthew Bromley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cannot discredit the fact that what this man went through and overcame is incredible. Although his struggles were, in my opinion, self-inflicted, he has obviously come a long way since putting a rifle under his chin. It took some dedication on my part to want to finish the book all the way through because although I was enjoying (some of) the story, the writing does dart aimlessly sometimes and never really finds a center. It meanders this way and that retelling stories and past times, which made as a reader sort of made me say "Okay, get to the point". I enjoyed the book, nonetheless.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thank you David for sending me a copy of your book.

I am still in shock after reading this true life account of drug abuse. I am so happy that David recovered his life and his family. At least he had a second chance to be the husband and father that every family deserves.

This is a powerful book and I learned a lot from reading it. Good Luck to David, Amy, and the children!! May God continue to watch over you and your family.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sad story and I was amazed at how much David had gone through and lived to talk about!! If this doesn't scare you away from trying meth I honestly don't know what would. This would be good reading for kids to show them what their life could be like should they decide to fool around with meth. It was riveting.

[Denna Branson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because I went to high school with David's sisters. This is an amazing book that helped me understand parts of this addiction. I have bought several copies to give away. My husband is an attorney. Whenever we have a client that walks in for a consult and has an addiction issue I try to give them a copy of David's book. Read this book! You will not be disappointed.

[Jane Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

my cousin husband wrote this book about his life and it is great the way they turned their lives around.

[Jennifer Titus]

Gives good insight into the hell meth users go through and what they put their families through

[Stephanie Newberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book about the hell of methamphetamine addiction and recovery

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read!

This book was painful to read at times, but I’m so glad I read it. While I don’t know David, I knew some of his family members, and others mentioned in the book. I grew up near his home and attended the same school, though I was older.

[Judy Herzanek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable. A true story of desperation, hell, courage, miracles and hope.

Unbelievable. David Parnell has lived a life that most people would never dream of in their worst nightmares. His story of methamphetamine addiction, "unthinkable acts" and ultimate recovery are truly "unbelievable."

"Facing the Dragon" gives the reader a brutally honest, ultra-realistic picture of what life is like for someone completely lost to the world of methamphetamine addiction. David's descriptions are often shocking and difficult to read, but very necessary.

David begins his journey as a young child in an abusive and terribly dysfunctional family situation, through high school, when his life began spiraling out of control.

He describes his introduction to methamphetamine as a "gradual descent into true madness." He writes, "My senses were heightened at first, I felt alive and empowered, but they eventually became deadened and I was like a zombie, a heartless corpse walking around pretending to live."

David describes in eye-opening detail, his detox experience in jail, the transformation that takes place within a meth addict's body and mind and the many, many "horrendous" things he did during his addiction.

"I crossed the line from being an addict who occasionally hallucinated into a full-blown psychotic . . . one day I snapped . . . what I did next is unthinkable."

But this story is one of hope and miracles. David writes, "No matter what you've done or how bad things are now, you can always start fresh. I am living proof of that."

David's story is miraculous in many ways. Medical professionals can't explain his amazing recovery. In fact, he has not merely been restored to the man he was before; he is a new and improved man who finds meaning in honestly telling his story--in the hope that others will not have to travel the same dark road.

David now lives with a self-inflicted lifelong mark of disfigurement and the shocked stares of strangers. He also finds new purpose and fulfillment from sharing his story, his heart and his message of redemption and hope.

This is an excellent read--for anyone interested in a painfully realistic, true-life account of the snare of methamphetamine addiction, how it affects the addict and family, and what it takes to completely recover. Thank you David and Amy for opening up your lives and your hearts to a broken world.

~Judy Herzanek/Changing Lives Foundation
Co-author of:
"Why Don't They Just Quit? What families and friends need to know about addiction and recovery."

[Sandrita · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister is a delusional meth addict on the brink of homelessness. Although she's quite different from David - she's much younger, and has never worked a day in her life - there are enough similarities that this helped me understand a bit better how she spends her days, which gives me some peace of mind because we often don't hear from her for weeks.

I was like a zombie. For up to eighteen hours I’d sit on a chair and stare at the floor or the walls, my gun propped next to me [thanks to paranoia] for quick access. The only time I moved was to put more dope in my mouth.

By the end I didn’t get out of bed unless I needed to get more meth - I rotted on the mattress for two or three days at a time.

The book also gave me some insight into my sister's refusal to take responsibility for her actions.

A drug addict always blames their problems on something, or somebody, else, never on the drugs. I didn’t want to accept that it was the meth making me sick.

His Christian beliefs have given him so much strength that I find myself wanting to start going to church again now - maybe that'll give me the strength I need to cope with the pain my sister is causing our family.

I would have liked to read more about David's hallucinations, to help me understand the imaginary but scary world that my sister is now living in, but this book still gave me a satisfying amount of insight into her mind.

I cried a few times for his poor wife and children. I'm so glad he got a chance to make things up to them! I hope my sister gets a chance to as well.

Meth robs people of the ability to love and feel compassion for other human beings, whether it’s your children, your wife, your mother or your father. I had no problem hating and wanting to hurt people when I was on it, but I could not love myself or anybody else.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Bex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the tale of redemption, it's pretty dark and depressing.

[Portable Awesomeness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks!

Great awareness book! $10 is a little spendy! More detail on the family and the relationship afterward would have been more helpful.

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It great to hear that not all addictions turn out bad. Mr. Parnell has lived an unbelievable life. It's my hope that his children do not follow his path of life

[Marice Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic look at how Methamphetamine affects families. David Parnell is inspirational. His battle with drugs, alcohol and an abusive life show that there is hope for anyone who reaches out to God.