"The first chance I got, I bought my very first bag of crystal methamphetamine... A monster was born. Try as I might, there is simply no way for me to minimize the impact with which crystal meth slammed into my life, at least not without straying far from the truth. It was like throwing a forty-pound sledge hammer though a plate glass window. What a cunning thing this was that lived inside of me. How could I ever hope to win against it? My good intentions meant nothing what I lacked was power."
Meth Monster has got to be one of the most amazing books I've read in a very long time. Have you ever read a book that no matter the editing mistakes, book cover, long intro, etc you find yourself wishing it never ends? Well, that's what I experienced while reading Meth Monster.
I came across Mr. Blaine while over indulging in YouTube gossip. Not that he's a gossip blogger but his videos were recommended while I watched some of the blog gossipers. After opening up one of his recommended videos, I realized I liked his commentary. On that day Timothy Blaine mentioned his drug history and that he had written a book about his experience growing up, then moving to Hollywood, then his love affair with Meth. I vowed I'd one day read it.
Two days ago I opened it up...
Well, no need to reinvent the wheel, here is Amazon's synopsis:
"Meth Monster is the autobiographical story of one gay African American man's personal journey to faith and deliverance from drugs and alcohol, and particularly from the scourge of crystal methamphetamine. The author takes his readers through his troubled early years in Indiana, hustling on the streets of Hollywood, and dealing drugs in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. Blaine boldly examines his personal demons from the time they take up residence in his subconscious and through their horrific and destructive manifestations. After numerous visits to jails, prisons and rehab, and after finally confronting his addiction, his sexuality, AIDS and a broken spirit, at last he finds redemption, healing and forgiveness through the grace and mercy of The Living God."
Until I met Mr. Blaine, I never knew of any African American who had experienced Meth (whether that meant using it or knowing someone who used). In fact, I thought Meth was something new and only consumed by "others" who were not African American. Boy was I green! Not only is Meth not new but there were/are African Americans struggling with the drug.
If you'd like to get major facts (to include rawness) about his struggle with sexuality, domestic violence, the prison pipeline, addiction, and accepting Christ choose this book as your next read. I promise, just like me, you will not want to put it down.
Drum Roll please -
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