Leaving Dirty Jersey: A Crystal Meth Memoir Kindle Edition

Salant's book is by far the best memoir of drug addiction I've ever read.It's precisely the relative absence of shock-for-shock's sake that made this book such a satisfying read. As described by Salant, a drug addict's world isn't exciting; it's just sordid (which Salant acknlowedges in recounting some of the gross and/or unsavory things he did while addicted. Those of us who like to read about unsavory things done by other people - and I'm one of them - do get their money's worth in this memoir). But it's his writing that struck me as singular.Told by a less talented writer, this story could have been ho-hum. But Salant writes with great clarity and economy, and seems objective as he can be in a book about himself. He does talk about writing poetry in the book, though sometimes he lied about that so his parents would send him money, so I'm not sure how much poetry he actually wrote!But as for his prose, Salant writes as if he's been writing forever - he's that good. He's an extremely talented young writer, and thanks to that, this book wasn't the cobbled-together addiction exploitation book it very easily could have been.Another reviewer said he (or she) would have liked more about his recovery. I think that might have been too much; I think Salant was right in leaving off where he did. And for an addict or alcoholic, there is always the chance of relapse; it's risky talking about your "recovery" when you're still in your early 20s. That's just my view, of course.But this one's absolutely well worth reading.

Having dealt with meth addicts in my work, I was really interested to read a book from a junkie's perspective. Mr. Salant's story is unusual, in my experience, in that he was shooting heroin before every going to meth. As a result, he almost immediately begins intraveneous meth use, which is a pretty rare -- and serious -- starting point.However, his descent into the meth world, the life driven by the single-minded quest for the next hit, the deceit, the overwhelming paranoia, and the moral and physical decay are presented vividly. You keep thinking, why would anyone want to even start down this path?A disturbing part of this story is the parents' enabling role in their son's ongoing addiction, especially in light of their older son's similar descent into the drug world. Their naivete and gullibility jarred me in light of their educated, middle class upbringing. Mr. Salant consistently cons them out of money and sympathy. But I wonder if as a parent I would be able to engage in the "tough love" he appears to have needed.The primary reason that I gave this book 4 stars, and not 5, is the author's failure to discuss fully the difficulty of getting and remaining sober, when he eventually chooses to do so. In my observations, meth addiction is one of the most difficult to overcome, particularly on a long-term basis due to the permanent damage which it wreaks on one's brain. I would have liked the book to flesh out that ongoing process, so that readers don't come away with an unrealistic understanding of the complexity of getting and staying "straight."Nevertheless, this is an interesting and vivid work of the lives and thought processes of meth additcts.

Bored, tired of reading books with facts and statistics? Yes, so was I.This book is a great, fun read. The main character Jim (the author James Salant) keeps you on the edge of your seat.James doesnt waste your time trying to give you statistics on drugs, drug use or even how meth is produced.This is his story of addiction, from beginning to end. Its not a pretty journey through the countryside, but rather a long walk down a dirty, dangerous back alley.Meth use is a disgusting, but growing problem in the U.S. This book gives you one mans glimpse of what it was like being hooked on it!!!

This book was very good. Very descriptive. So as I usually do after reading a good book, I looked up the author James Salant and was so saddened to learn he past away last weekend. It doesn’t necessarily say an overdose but from some comments I’ve seen, that could be a possibility and that’s heartbreaking. Goes to show, addiction never leaves. It’s always lurking, just waiting for that one weak moment to strike. RIP to a great author and bless his wife and children.

This book is a gut wrenching and real account of how meth and heroin takes over a life and grinds it into the pavement. If you know anyone who has ever been addicted to drugs you will relate to this story, how the drugs take over your body, mind and soul and how that affects the people around you and that love you. The stealing, the crime, the sex, the crazy and obsessive behavior. It is all here. If you don't know anyone addicted to drugs, once you read this book you will have a better understanding of why they act the way they do. Understanding is half the battle.

As a recovering addict that lives in New Jersey this journey was my journey is my journey and will always be me a recovering addict i will always be an addict thank you for taking the time to write your story

I love this book! I could not put it down, what a roller coaster.. highly recommend if you like substance abuse books!

James Salant tells a frightening, but oh so truthful story of his experiences with meth and what it did / does to him and his family. The nightmare caused by this drug is unbelievable and what he writes about in his story is pretty much the normal run for users and their families. Everyone gets hurt and I speak from personal experience from the family side and watching 2 family members slide down into hell because of this drug. Mr. Salant tells it like it is and the story is excellent reading.

It's kinda difficult to critically maul a book that charts someones descent through Hell via Meth, the synthetic drug that hardly even seems to hide it's own pernicious qualities - yet due to its ability to deliver the most intense high available to mankind continues to erode its way around the globe - without feeling like you're putting the boot in unnecessarily. Plus I'm suprised at how negative I felt towards this book, as I'd assumed I was more liberal than I might sound. However, he wrote it, they published it, and I bought and read it. So, here goes...On the positive side, Leaving Dirty Jersey does a fine job of portraying the insular world and insanely narrowing pathways of addiction, complete with the endless spiral of lowlife characters and attendant threats; and the downwards trajectory of using is rendered brutal and unpleasant when it inevitably kicks in. But on the down side (mine not his), I expected more insight between scenes, and some reflections from his now-sober life on what motivated his self-destructions.Yes, the clues are there in the colours of his upbringing and insecurities - if you're prepared to take a guess, and fill in the large gaps yourself - but without insight this reads like something approaching voyeurism. Like the end scene in Barton Fink when the author is accused of holidaying in other peoples' miseries, I felt like I'd just taken a sensationalist's sightseeing trip through crank misery.So, whilst Salant is never less than honest about what he did, without the whys and the brutal realities of his physical, spiritual and social rehabilitation, this standalone 'Meth memoir' - as it's rather prosaicly subtitled - lacks the depth and completed narrative to set it above being selacious for the sake of it.The book is a speedy read, and whilst I appreciate that not every author can, or should, construct a weighty prose, this felt just that little too much like entertainment when it had the greater opportunity to be a communique back to the rest of us of how truly strong the human spirit can be in saying no to our own addictions - especially ones that took such a brutal hold as these evidently did.For me, a broader narrative arc would have set his true travels into a greater, fuller picture. Why do I want to read about the pains of his recovery? To set all that misery in context. It seems highly selective that a publisher should choose to release so many pages about someone's descent into drug debauchery, and to my mind cynically fashionable references to anal sex activity, yet decides to omit the real cost of the author's plummet towards death: that of his final success, and to be congratulated uphill efforts to piece himself back together after such a brutal beating at his own hands.Is recovery less glamorous than the seedy, yet perversely seductive tale of someone throwing off the shackles of convention in such a violent fashion? Yes, of course it is. But without the real daily consequence and rigors of recovery, Leaving Dirty Jersey, in my opinion, is less the morality tale it camouflages itself to be, and nearer to existing as a partial glamourising of what to some will become an unfortunate reality.You would be right in assuming that I knew what I was letting myself in for when I bought a book about Meth addiction, but I was disappointed that only half the story is here. And it's a shame that the only half to get told is the half that someone, somewhere thought was more compelling. That of someone else's self-destruction, and the ease with which we, the audience, should be allowed to holiday in such darkness - then let off afterwards without any requirement to work at, or truly comprehend, how difficult the recovery is, compared to the unfortunate ease with which addiction takes hold.I say that because we never really get to hear how hard the recovery was: one minute he's near death, and within a page he's recovered, got a girl, a life, and is smiling for us all to see. And that to me is this book's weakness neatly summed up, and it's a weakness that I think is as dangerous as the drugs involved.

Well written gives the reader a true glimpse into the reality of crystal meth addiction. Funny at moments also tragic at times. It depicts well how the family of an addict are all effected and the way addiction tears up relationships and families. A great read draws you into the story the characters come to life. A brave depiction of the reality of living a sordid drug blurred life and the fight back. Recommend this book.

Uncomfortable readings at times. But unlike other books, this book gives you every single dirty encounter and shows the demise into full blow meth addiction. One for vulnerable teenagers to read. I agree this is shocking book, but can inform both yourself and youngsters whom may consider experimenting drugs due to peer pressure. Unmissable!

Excellent ,, read in 2 sittings ,,highly recommend it to everyone .. well written and exciting 5 star read ,, interesting

Great book, I couldn't put it down. Hard reading at some points, and other parts just unbelievable. Highly recommend.