Customer Reviews

Crystal Meth: They Call It 'Ice'

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Told from the perspective of a physician who lost her brother to meth addiction,this book is a must have for anyone trying to quit or who has a loved one who is on meth.Detailed information about the biochemistry of meth as well as it's effects on the pathology of the brain is included.You need not be intimidated by the technical nature of the subject matter as she simplifies everything down into terms that anyone can follow.This subject matter is conveyed as only someone with an M.D.could do.There is a very detailed analysis of behavior that is a result of the addiction as well as what to expect when you try to get off meth.Her insights into the mind set of the addict are invaluable to those loved ones who are trying to help.She writes of those who are hooked on meth with the compassion that one would expect from someone who is not only a medical doctor but who lost her youngest brother to this horrible drug.As to her observations about meth addiction I can attest personally that she is 100% accurate.I know because I was hooked on this drug for 3 years myself.There was so little information out there and in the vein that "knowledge is power" I can tell you that this book is absolutely empowering!!I wish that this book could have been around during my recovery.To anyone reading this who is still hooked on meth I am here as living proof that there is "Life after Meth".You can recover control of your life and once again experience the happiness that you enjoyed before you made the mistake of getting involved with crystal meth.A reading of this book is the place to start your recovery.

The author is not only a medical doctor, but she has firsthand experience with losing a brother to suicide and methamphetamine abuse. Powerful and compelling, she leaves no stone unturned in her exploration of this awful drug. Her mention of Biblical passages is hardly 'in-your-face' as some have described it. She is simply sharing her own beliefs as every author on the planet does. She is gentle and compassionate throughout the text, and was probably the only reason her brother lived as long as he did.

I learned so much about crystal meth and what it is doing to our society and our world. This book should be on every drug counselor or intervention specialist's book shelf! Fantastic!

Crystal Meth: They Call It Ice is the most compelling and definitive understanding available on the scourge of methamphetamine addiction. Having done extensive research myself and worked personally with many meth addicts and their families these past years Dr. Mary Holley certainly knows the meth journey inside-out. Her medical expertise is invaluable information to anyone connected to meth. The clear explanations of the biochemistry and neurological destruction of methamphetamine is a must read. This work also rightly understands the relational component to sustained recovery from meth. Whether one would agree or not that Christian faith is the key to sustained sobriety my own work with meth addicts agrees with Dr. Holley that change "only" take place in the context of meaningful relationship.

I read 70+ books a year and it is extremely rare that I will post a negative review but this book deserves one.
So I bought this book (464 pages) thinking it would be a comprehensive study on crystal meth. I bought it to help me learn and teach my children about the dangers of crystal meth from a medical perspective as I have several other books on this drug. The doctor who wrote this put in a lot of detailed medical information about the brain which I thought was fantastic. So the first 120 pages were quite interesting.
(Keep in mind that I am a 36 year old, right-wing conservative, Roman-Catholic, happily married, father of two)......
All of a sudden, at Chapter 9, this book turned into a religious fanatic's dialogue about God this and God that.....religion shoved down your throat and the battle about evolution vs creation.
I have a real problem with someone writing a mis-leading book, disguised to push their own agenda.
Let me put it this way, I NEVER stop reading a book until it is finished, but I did here.
The bottom line.....don't spend your hard earned money on this garbage.
The author should be ashamed of herself for mis-titling chapter 9. If you've read this book, you will know what I mean.

Lastly, I would like to make clear that I believe in God, attended both Catholic and Public Schools. I just cannot stand this author's veiled attempt to shove her beliefs down the reader's throat.

My brother and his wife started using ICE 3 years old after someone gave them a baggie to suck on at a local club. They thought it was speed but it was Meth. Both of them have been addicted since that time. My brother was finally incarated in May and has come to realize that he has a serious problem. While in jail, he could have 3 books. I went online and found this one. He absolutely loved this book and agrees with everything that was said. All of his cell mates have read the book, most of them addicted to Meth as well, and they loved it. The only thing I wish is that they would offer it in Paperback. We had to tear the hard cover off in order for the jail to accept it.

This book shows in very good scientific detail the harm that is caused by meth. I am very impressed by the explanations, the risk factors, and the way Dr. Holley showed how serious the meth problem really is.

I am absolutely shocked at how serious meth abuse has hurt this country. The best analogy I have is that methamphetamines are to drugs what AIDS is to STD's. STD's and drugs are bad, no getting around it, but as serious as AIDS is, meth is just as horrible. It is a death sentence, and there's no such thing as a safe amount. It causes permanent, irreversible damage to the user, and Dr. Holley minces no words in explaining it.

This book is a deviously disguised religious tract, advertised to sell as an "information-packed, thoroughly researched manual" by a medical doctor on the very real dangers of crystal meth, but in truth it is an attempt to convert the reader to fundamentalist Christianity. I fail to see how teaching intelligent design in our schools leads to drug abuse, and I remain unconvinced that people turn to drugs because they don't have Jesus in their lives. I wasted my money on a piece of propaganda. Surely there are other books that provide accurate information without discrediting my religion under the guise of education.

This has good stories that show the horrors of this drug. There's also quite a lot of good science, especially pointing out how toxic the drug is. The color photos are quite graphic, especially the ones showing the deterioration of a user over a protracted period of time. There was a lot of religious stuff that I didn't expect to find in a book like this. The author is obviously brilliant and if the religiosity helps some people get off this drug, then it's good that it's there.

Even though I really didn't like the religious preaching at about the second half of the book to the end, I couldn't give this book less than 3 stars because the first half / non-preaching is excellent.

As the mother of a 16 year old meth addict (82 days sober as of this writing), I was anxious to read anything I could find about this dangerous and destructive drug. I found the first half very informative. The author goes in depth about the effects on the brain and the body. Some of it might take a few times to read over (especially if the reader isn't into science or does not has medical knowledge), but it's very worth it. There are great colored pictures inside as well.

I am disappointed with the last half of the book, and I think this book would have been more helpful to a greater number of people if the relious part was just left out. I'm also disappointed that the resources don't include the AA with addiction recovery. I think the 12 step program has proven to be essential in the recovery of many addicts. One of the 12 steps does acknowledge "God" or a higher power.. but as we have come to personally know this higher power in our lives. I believe that this book contradicts this way of thinking.

My advice? If you are religious or looking for something religious having to do with the subject, read the whole thing. If you aren't into the religious thing, you only have about half a book to read that still provides a wealth of important information. What is most important is healing addiction and doing what works for the individual to make that happen.

was sent to my son in jail he said it was a good book but not as good as another he had read where the writer had been through it and knows first hand the problems it causes