Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I commend Matthew's honesty in talking about a very serious, decades long addiction to alcohol and drugs.

I listened on audio and I found it hard to follow, timeline wise. It jumps around constantly and I found it repetitive.

"I met a woman, I loved her, I pushed her away, I was left alone, I used again, I nearly died, I got sober, I met someone, I pushed her away, I was left alone, I used again, I nearly died, I got sober" etc, etc.

Addiction is messy, and bitter, and mean, and a thief. It steals all that is good. It leaves people lonely, and bitter, and sad. Matthew is all of those things at various points throughout this book, and very upfront about all of it.

For all of the money he spent trying to get better, I have to wonder if any of those places he went to actually try to help people. Therapists included. A massive investigation into rehabilitation facilities is LONG overdue.

I didn't enjoy it. I feel bad that he got addicted, but I also came away thinking that addict or not, he comes off as a bit of an arrogant prick at times. (The God stuff wore a bit thin after a while, too, but that's my own issue). I didn't like how he spoke about women and at one point he says of a woman he dated while under the influence "I would've fucked mud". Every woman he mentions is reduced down to whether she wanted to have sex with him or not.

It's incredibly sad that he's able to help others, but can't help himself. It just shows that addiction doesn't discriminate - you can have the #1 movie and #1 TV series in the country and still go to bed alone, sad and afraid. It's hard to know whether the money and fame was a hindrance or a help in this case.

I do hope this book helps people, but I gained nothing from reading it except a gratitude for never getting into drugs. Maybe that was the point?

I hope he eventually finds the happiness he has wanted for so long. And some self awareness.


Note: Matthew Perry passed away on October 28th, 2023, less than a year after this book was published. I hope he's at peace now, because this book was truly grim. A very sad ending to his very sad story.