One of my all time favorite memoirs is Scar Tissue by Anthony Kiedis. But of course, that book has been written and discussed many times before because not only is Anthony a recovering addict, he’s….Anthony Kiedis.
One Hit Away by Jordan P Barnes is similar to Scar Tissue as it deals with a man struggling with addiction, except this is just a man. A man who sleeps on the streets of Portland. A man who struggled with addiction for most of his life. A man who entered into the dark world of heroin in college. A man who had a family and community praying for his recovery the entire time.
Jordan was 24 years old when he woke up next to the dead body of his drug friend Simon. Despite his own hesitation, he found himself rifling through his friends pockets for any remaining drugs. Jordan write this book with an open heart and no filter. He is honest about his inner turmoil during this period of his life - knowing that he couldn’t do this forever and knowing that there had to be a way out. The entire time Jordan was struggling, his family was looking for him, praying for him, hoping they could find him. A series of chance encounters leads to seeing his parents at a jailhouse and then later, knowing that help was just a phone call home.
The story follows Jordan through recovery at Sand Island, an inpatient treatment center in Hawaii. Yes, yes, it’s Hawaii, but this wasn’t about laying on a beach and getting a tan. Jordan discussed the pain and struggle of recovery and work that is involved. There is no sugar coating. It’s work and it’s hard.
I felt for Jordan the entire time I was reading. It pained me to see him struggle, I felt the cold ground that he slept on, I felt his heart break when he saw his parents. I cheered him on with each success.
I received a copy of this book from Jordan himself, but that in no way influenced my review. Jordan is a talented writer and I hope that his story reaches everyone. Addiction touches everyone in some way, and this is one man’s story of hope.
Thank you Jordan for writing this powerful book.