The Harder They Fall : Celebrities Tell Their Real Life Stories Of Addiction And Recovery

Updated with photos and new interviews. The heady, drug-induced decades of the sixties and seventies provide the backdrop for this all-star account of addiction and recovery. Among the celebrities interviewed by Gary Stromberg for The Harder They Fall are comedian Richard Lewis; musicians Alice Cooper, Grace Slick, Dr. John, and Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night); actors Malcolm McDowell and Mariette Hartley; Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Franz Wright; writer Anne Lamott; and athletes Doc Ellis and Gerry Cooney. The good news? All are recovering and leading lives of extraordinary accomplishment. "My own disease would like to tell you that my 'isms' are now my 'wasims.' But as this book reads, it's an ongoing process that leads to the sweetest spirituality. My hat's off and great kudos to those who share their story like it is for those of us who still need to hear it." -Steven Tyler - Aerosmith "Read this book! Here are the real winners in life. The best and the brightest with devastating illnesses, living clean, sober, confident, happy lives. If you want to know about alcoholism and addiction and how to get "weller than well," read this book." Capt. Ronald E. Smith - Chairman of the Dept. of Psychiatry, National Naval Medical Center and for twelve years the Psychiatric Consultant to the U S Congress "Here are the stories of twenty-one celebrities who had everything until their abusive chemicals showed them that, at the bottom, they had nothing at all. These pioneers in the modern drug abuse epidemic eventually each found their way into recovery, even redemption. These inspiring stories tell of the joy of finding a way of being that is more precious than fame and fortune." Robert L. DuPont, M.D. - White House Drug Czar for President Nixon and Ford (1973 to 1977), author of The Selfish Brain

Now in paperback with updated photos and additional interviews, The Harder They Fall reveals the intimate thoughts, feelings, regrets, and beliefs of celebrities in recovery. Among those profiled are comedian Richard Pryor; musicians Grace Slick, Dr. John, and Chuck Negron; actors Malcolm McDowell and Mariette Hartley; and athletes Dock Ellis and Gerry Cooney. Addiction devoured their pride and accomplishments until each found the courage to ask for help, the honesty to face their disease, and the strength--ultimately--to rebuild a life of extraordinary success. Here, legendary Los Angeles publicist, Gary Stromberg, gives readers an up-close look at fame and addiction, as told by the stars themselves. These are stories of greatness rebuilt--one day at a time.

Steven Tyler

"As an alumni of Hazelden with a proud and grateful 18 years of sobriety, I will never forget just how hard I fell and how Hazelden's hot seat afforded me the opportunity to take a rigorous and hard look at my own behaviors around this disease called addiction.

My own disease would like to tell you that my "isms" are now my "wasms". But as this book reads, it's an ongoing process that leads to the sweetest spirituality.

My hat's off and great Kudos to those that share in their story like it is, for those of us that still need to hear it."

-Steven Tyler 2004

Now in paperback with updated photos and additional interviews, The Harder They Fall reveals the intimate thoughts, feelings, regrets, and beliefs of celebrities in recovery. Among those profiled are comedian Richard Pryor; musicians Grace Slick, Dr. John, and Chuck Negron; actors Malcolm McDowell and Mariette Hartley; and athletes Dock Ellis and Gerry Cooney. Addiction devoured their pride and accomplishments until each found the courage to ask for help, the honesty to face their disease, and the strength--ultimately--to rebuild a life of extraordinary success. Here, legendary Los Angeles publicist, Gary Stromberg, gives readers an up-close look at fame and addiction, as told by the stars themselves. These are stories of greatness rebuilt--one day at a time. Presents a collection of interviews with celebrities from music, film, sports, and other fields who discuss their experiences with drug and alcohol addiction and the treatment plans and therapies that helped them to recover successfully. A collection of personal stories in which celebrities, including singers, writers, politicians, and actors, share their struggles with substance abuse and addiction and recovery