{"product_id":"from-junkie-to-judge-9780757324567","title":"From Junkie to Judge","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrom a junkie \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eaddicted to methamphetamines \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eto a federal judge, Mary Beth O’Connor’s memoir shares her inspiring journey from rock bottom to resilience as she forged a personal path to recovery from trauma and addiction.  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSilver Award, 2023 Nonfiction Book Awards\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eSearing, unsettling, and ultimately triumphant, Judge O''Connor''s debut memoir takes readers on a wild ride through the rock-bottom underbelly of intravenous drug addiction to the hallowed halls of justice where she rose to the pinnacle of success as a federal judge. \u003cbr aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e \u003cbr aria-hidden=\"true\"\u003e With wit and unabashed honesty, O’Connor shares her remarkable three-phase journey: the abuse and trauma that drove her to teenage drug use, the chaos that ensued from her addiction; and how she developed a personalized secular recovery plan that led to twenty-nine years of sobriety. Her story proves any addict can r\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I found this story, so honest and compelling. It’s incredible to see how much the author overcame and then went on to become a judge. That kind of life story and experience has to give someone a great perspective when looking at how we treat other people under the law. A great read.\" —Lee Woodruff\u003cbr\u003e\"This is a sad but ultimately uplifting story. Recommended.\"—Library Journal\u003cbr\u003e“There is often an unspoken hierarchy in the recovery community, with IV drug users unofficially labeled ‘least likely to succeed.’ Mary Beth’s story counters that assumption in the most inspiring way. Her tale of trauma, loss, and ultimate victory over addiction is a testament to the strength of empowerment approaches to recovery like Women for Sobriety. If you are struggling with the idea that there is only one way to get sober, you need to read this book!”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eAdrienne Miller\u003c\/b\u003e, Women for Sobriety president and CEO\u003cbr\u003e“Judge O’Connor casts an unflinching gaze over the past to explore the factors that contributed to her demise into drugs, abusive relationships and self-harm, and the resources that helped her build an empowered life. Harrowing and hopeful, her story assures readers that recovery is possible.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eJean McCarthy,\u003c\/b\u003e podcast host of \u003ci\u003eThe Bubble Hour\u003c\/i\u003e, author of the Unpickled series\u003cbr\u003e “A riveting memoir about a harrowing childhood and the deep abyss of drug addiction—followed by an inspiring story of recovery and a practical guide to building an individual recovery plan—no higher power required.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eMary M. French,\u003c\/b\u003e administrative law judge, retired\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“\u003c\/b\u003eRecovery, like Rome, is a destination with many roads. There is an abundance of stories where recovery is laid at the feet of some notion of God. But only a small minority of addicted persons actually walk that pathway. Much larger numbers find recovery elsewhere. Mary Beth O’Connor’s memoir begins to fill the information gap about recovery for people who, like many younger Americans today, check 'none of the above' when it comes to religious affiliation. Starting in her teens, Mary Beth did about all the drugs you can do. She could have been a poster child for the victims of dysfunctional family life. Yet eventually she pulled out of it. She tried 12-steps and found it wanting. She took charge of her own recovery.  She achieved not only abstinence but big-R Recovery, overcoming her inner demons, and demonstrating the competence, intelligence, reliability, and social skills necessary for professional advancement. This is an inspirational story of survival and renewal.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eMartin Nicolaus,\u003c\/b\u003e founder, LifeRing Secular Recovery, author of \u003ci\u003eEmpower Your Sober Self\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eRecovery by Choice\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eFrom Junkie to Judge\u003c\/i\u003e is an essential addition to addiction and recovery literature. Mary Beth’s remarkable and gripping story smashes stereotypes about professionals and drug use. An avowed atheist, she also gives hope to those who've been told recovery requires faith.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eLisa F. Smith,\u003c\/b\u003e author of \u003ci\u003eGirl Walks Out of a Bar: A Memoir\u003c\/i\u003e and co-host of \u003ci\u003eRecovery Rocks \u003c\/i\u003epodcast\u003cbr\u003e“What a wonderful example of the possibilities that are inside us all! This is a deeply relatable story of childhood pain that is transformed through the trials of addiction and recovery. This compelling account of triumph over adversity speaks to the challenges we all face and the hope of what is possible once we do the work of healing the past. As a person in long term recovery, I found \u003ci\u003eFrom\u003c\/i\u003e \u003ci\u003eJunkie to Judge\u003c\/i\u003e to be a valuable resource for those considering a life free of addictions.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eArlina Allen,\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003eOne Day at a Time \u003c\/i\u003epodcast host\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e“From Junkie to Judge\u003c\/i\u003e is a story of hard-won grace, and a remarkable tenacity to persevere. Mary Beth narrates an extraordinary journey of transcendence and advocacy. We are so fortunate to have her record, and this guide to recovery—and recovering well—that finds witness in her overcoming adversity, becoming oneself, and blazing the trail for others to follow.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eJohn Evans,\u003c\/b\u003e author of \u003ci\u003eYoung Widower: A Memoir\u003c\/i\u003e and Stanford University lecturer\u003cbr\u003e“Very rarely do you find a person who has the courage to be so honest about not only their particular experience but the human experience. Judge O'Connor exhibits that courage in spades in her memoir. She takes you in detail through her struggle and her subsequent recovery from addiction and trauma. It is an unbelievable example of the indomitable will to not give up. As a person in long-term recovery and an addiction clinician, it was great to read something that details just how real addiction is, how hard getting sober can be and wonderful tools to help all of those in the fight. To anyone reading this who is struggling—you are worth it and deserving of all the beautiful things the world has to offer you.”\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eAJ Diaz,\u003c\/b\u003e LMSW, CASAC-T, co-founder of You Are Accountable","brand":"Health Communications","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49527057154391,"sku":"9780757324567","price":12.34,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9780757324567.jpg?v=1731866382","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/from-junkie-to-judge-9780757324567","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}