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Diary of a Drug Fiend

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Aleister Crowley's first published novel was "Diary of a Drug Fiend." The book was originally published in London in 1922. Although written over seventy-five years ago, the book is still relevant for today's readers. The book paints a vivid picture of the mind of drug users. The drug user's highs, lows, and sometimes strange thought patterns are described in great detail in this interesting book.

The infamous Aleister Crowley invokes a reaction with some people. Some say he was strange and went off the deep-end with his involvement in Magick, the practice of using various techniques to exert control over the forces of nature. If one is too close-minded to read this book because of the author's reputation, he or she would be missing a great read.

This story is supposedly based on truth. False names were used to conceal the identities of the people in the book. For instance, Aleister Crowley is called Peter Pendragon in the book. Peter went to a pub and was socializing with some people he knew when he saw the woman that would change his life, Lou.

"Across the moaning body of the blackmailer, I was looking at the face of a girl that I had never seen before. And I said to myself, "Well, that's all right, I've known you all my life." And when I said to myself "my life," I didn't in the least mean my life as Peter Pendragon, I didn't even mean a life extending through the centuries, I meant a different kind of life --something with which centuries have nothing whatever to do (Crowley 11)."

This truly eloquent description of Peter's first glimpse of Lou reveals that Crowley was truly a master of language. The book is written in such a clever way that the reader continues to want more.

Basically, the story is of Peter falling madly in love with a woman named Lou. They run off to Paris and travel throughout Europe. Lou introduces Peter to cocaine and heroin and they quickly become dependent on the narcotics. When their supply of drugs runs out, the withdrawal troubles begin. Lou's father, King Lamus, helps the two overcome their addiction by the application of practical Magick. Both Peter and Lou find their true purpose in life and live happily ever after.

"Diary of a Drug Fiend" would be a beneficial source of information for professionals involved with the psychology of addiction. Doctors, lawyers, police, and the average person would gain insight into the thought patterns of a drug addict from the first high, to the constant effort to regain the effects of the first high. The craving for the drug, and how it is the only thing the user thinks about when he or she does not have the drug for a period of time is covered thoroughly. How selfish and careless one becomes when he or she needs a fix is also mentioned in the book. Peter lost his love for Lou because he could only think of the drugs. He quickly knew this was wrong and constantly tried to regain his love for Lou.

If people are open-minded and enjoy challenging their beliefs, then "Diary of a Drug Fiend" may be the book to read. At the time of reading this book, I found many useful insights that could dramatically change one's life contained within its pages. Overall, this book by Aleister Crowley is fantastic.

Aleister Crowley is one of the great unheralded masters of the Enlgish language. Many aspects of his spiritual and philosophical views may leave some people in the dust, however. The mysticism can be perplexing to the average reader. Diary Of A Drug Fiend is successful because it is very easy to understand. The use of language is masterful. It is not a pretty story, to be sure, and many will disagree with the seemingly pro drug message but it is a great tale. Peter Pendragon and Unlimited Lou are presented as both sympathetic and contemptible characters. One feels empahty but it is tainted by the knowledge that they have created their own problems. They are weak. King Lamus almost seems to be like a zen master who patiently guides his pupils to higher heights. I can not say that I agree entirely with the philosophy espoused by King Lamus but it is exhilarating to follow this tale as it unfolds. I am sure many will be offended by Crowleys portrayal of King Lamus as a master who can use and not use drugs with ease. I do not suggest that mastery over heroin or cocaine is easy or even possible but this is just a work of fiction. It should not be taken literally. I do not know if this is meant as a self defense for Crowleys own drug use. It is irrelevent to me. Many great artists were alcoholics or drug addicts. It does not deter my admiration for this spectacularly well written book. Aleister Crowley could have been one of the great novelists had he chosen to pursue that path. This was one of the best reads I had in years.

Diary Of A Drug Fiend appealed to me because I knew someone that was caught up in drug addiction and wanted to know more about it. I wanted to know what it felt like and how the drug user felt. This book totally met my expectations and more, it showed me exactly what I was looking for. In the first instance I began to dislike the book because it seems to glorify drugs but then I suppose that is what it feels like when you are using the drugs. Read a bit further on and it will tell you the real horrors of drugs in the cold light of day. It is obvious that the author knows what he is talking about, but you have to remember that the characters in the book were using the purest form of drugs and so the effects I suppose you could say seem somewhat dramatised, but then someone once said (forgive me for not remembering) that the effects of drugs depend on your state of mind when you are taking them, so each individual user will experience something different. Overall, I would reccomend this book to anyone that has any link whatsoever with drugs or anyone that is thinking of it. It will show you the real horrors by an experienced author!

Begins with the age old tale: boy gets wired on coke, boy meets girl, boy marries girl and goes off travelling with her through europe doing copious amounts of C. and H. Eventually boy and girl end up more or less in the gutter, ready to commit suicide. Enter King Lamus: Master Adept/Zen Master/Mentor/Father Figure to rescue them both by helping them to discover their True Will, thereby curing them entirely of their addictions. It is King Lamus' considered opinion that drugs are tools, to be used wisely and with a specific purpose in mind, going on to make the analogy that the best way to avoid drowning is to learn to swim-- not to avoid bodies of water. An intriguing-- though possibly specious-- theory. Fun and entertaining read.

I would have to rate this book among the best written in the English language. It is captivating, riveting, and deftly portrays two seperate worlds (the world of the occult and the world of drug addiction) with which the greater public is unfamiliar.

Diary of a Drug Fiend is, as is stated very succinctly in the preface, "a true story. It has been rewritten only so far as was necessary to conceal personalities."

I, being a RECOVERED alcohol and cigarette addict, can attest to the workability of this esoteric/exoteric approch to addictions. It is possible to completely reverse an addiction and responsibly handle the substance. I know becouse I tested the theory.

The proposed approch to the problem is a combination of Zen and Taoist meditative techniques, and a thorough recording of your progress in a diary. The individual is encouraged to work with their own body rhythms, and discouraged from ever feeling any guilt. The addiction is the symptom not the actual problem.

Diary of a Drug Fiend takes a very unorthodox approch to a frightening problem.

Diary of a Drug Fiend is one of those books you can't part with, even after having read it. It's the ying and yang of who we are at the height of our own spiritual, as well as physical, battles. Beautifully written, genius, in fact. I still can't believe anyone being capable of writing such a piece of work, but Aleister did. I feel I've gained an inner understanding of drug addiction, as well as an understanding of many other personal struggles any "being" could possibly encounter throughout life.

Anyone who thinks Diary of a Drug Fiend is purely about drugs is wrong. Yes, that is the subject matter of at least 2/3 of the book, but the choice of drugs as the subject matter is immaterial. The author required a highly difficult human condition in order to explain his theories of applying the Will to life. It is interesting to read about underground drug culture in 1922, as such a thing was brand new, the anti-drug laws having been passed just before. But what stands out the most is King Lamus' character, who presents a truly Western method for living, the polar opposite of Eastern philosophy. The back of the book cover speaks about practical magick, but what it must be understood that "magick" refers mainly to psychological control of one's self, rather than anything supernatural.

A fearlessly introspective plunge into the depths of the despair, misery and impotence of personal failure and an enlightening journey along the painful, yet rewarding, path of liberation and self-mastery.

It's not quite as much fun to write a review when it seems everyone is basically in agreement. Crowley was not as evil as folklore suggests, and he was a lot more intellectually accomplished than his detractors would care to admit.

What struck me about this book were the resounding themes in the final chapters. (I don't think this is a suspense-driven book, so I don't see myself as "spoiling" the ending here.) "Do What Thou Wilt" may seem archaic or sinister, but it ultimately means nothing more than finding your ultimate purpose, your deepest will. Once you find that, your other problems will fall by the wayside. Put in those terms, perhaps the theme sounds too pedestrian. But the way Crowley presents it here in terms of overcoming a heroin and "snow" addiction is marvelous. In many respects this book, particularly toward the end, reminded me of Ayn Rand's writings, where man's ultimate potentials are examined and exalted. Crowley's King Lamus is not far from the John Galt and Howard Roarke idealisms. I walked away from this book refreshed and inspired. Thank you, Mr. Crowley.

Yes, if you have any interest in narcotics addiction this is a MUST-READ. Seriously, if you are a cop, or a lawyer, or a judge, this is a fundamental source of information that will really expand your comprehension of the subject of narcotics addiction. Thank goodness here in California the emphaisis is on REHABILITATION for users and simple possession. And, thank goodness, here in California if you are a dealer that clank you just heard is the prison door, scum bag.

Yes, for those with interests in the arcane, the esoteric, the occult or the erotic, your time will be well rewarded by the book. There is bizarre imagery and mystical references throughout. You'll have a blast with this one. Please note that these Crowley books become astronomical in price when they go out of print, even the paperbacks, so you may want to snag one of these even if you can't read it right now.

One sign of a good book for me is that when I'm done with it, the book is all marked up with pencil marks indicating points which I want to read again some day. Just about every page of this book is marked. Yes, it truly is classic.

OK I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO POINT OUT THIS IS A NOVAL, NOT A RITUAL BOOK. BUT THIS IS A VERY GREAT BOOK. IT IS CERTAINTLY ONE OF CROWLEY'S BEST WORKS. IT'S ABOUT HOW DRUGS CAN BE USED AND THEN THEY USE YOU. I THINK ANYONE WHO LOVES CROWLEY, DRUGS, OR LOVE STORIES WILL FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK.