"I felt nervous and excited, like the feeling you get going into a department store to shoplift, or when you hit a working vein and see that first little rosebud of blood in the barrel of a syringe." - Tim Elhajj
This is a journey that will shock your sensibilities, unless you've been there and done that. If you haven't, this book will help you understand what it's like to claw your way up from the bottom after alienating your mother and siblings, losing your wife and young son, and sleeping in homeless shelters because a rehab center won't even consider taking you until you're clean. How do you fight your way back into the good graces of your e-wife and son when everything you say and do is wrong? What is it like to step into your mother's house and see her hide her purse? How do you tell your boy, after you've finally attained a tenuous relationship, that you're now moving to the other side of the country? Can you make it work?
Well written, compelling, fascinating, and not without humor, this is an inspiring story of addiction, hope and redemption.
Other Sellers on Amazon
$15.46
& FREE Shipping
& FREE Shipping
Sold by: YourOnlineBookstore
Sold by: YourOnlineBookstore
(526902 ratings)
93% positive over last 12 months
93% positive over last 12 months
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Shipping rates and Return policy $11.50
+ $3.99 shipping
+ $3.99 shipping
Sold by: allnewbooks
Sold by: allnewbooks
(268583 ratings)
93% positive over last 12 months
93% positive over last 12 months
In stock.
Usually ships within 4 to 5 days.
Shipping rates and Return policy Usually ships within 4 to 5 days.
Add to book club
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
OK
Dopefiend: A Father's Journey From Addiction to Redemption Paperback – September 15, 2011
by
Tim Elhajj
(Author)
| Tim Elhajj (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
| Price | New from | Used from |
Enhance your purchase
Dopefiend is a recovery memoir, but it's really about the lengths a father will go to find a satisfying relationship with his son. Sometimes you have to follow the most unlikely path to find the thing you want most.
- Print length208 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherCentral Recovery Press
- Publication dateSeptember 15, 2011
- Dimensions6 x 0.6 x 8.9 inches
- ISBN-101936290634
- ISBN-13978-1936290635
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more
Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
-
Apple
-
Android
-
Windows Phone
-
Android
|
Download to your computer
|
Kindle Cloud Reader
|
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Tim Elhajj lives in Washington with his wife and kids. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Brevity, Guernica, and others. With Holly Huckeba, Tim edits Junk, a literary fix, (junklit.com). Junk is an online magazine that features literary memoir about addiction, obsession, and unrequited needs, both real and imagined.
Product details
- Publisher : Central Recovery Press; 1st edition (September 15, 2011)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 208 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1936290634
- ISBN-13 : 978-1936290635
- Item Weight : 9.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.6 x 8.9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #4,570,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,581 in Drug Dependency Recovery
- #12,161 in Healing
- #47,271 in Family Relationship (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
Start reading Dopefiend: A Father's Journey From Addiction to Redemption on your Kindle in under a minute.
Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Tim Elhajj’s nonfiction essays and articles have appeared in The New York Times, Brevity, Guernica, Sweet, The Yalobusha Review, Together, and Relief. He edits Junk, a journal that features literary memoir about addiction, obsession, and unrequited need.
Tim lives in the Pacific northwest. Prior to moving west, Tim lived in New York City where he attended Hunter College.
Read moreRead less
Customer reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
16 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2014
Verified Purchase
This was the flip side of the junkie memoir coin. Most in the genre deal with the using part, the falling part, the "sexier" part. Of course, it's not actually "sexy," just more salacious. Watching an addict spiral out of control provides a certain perverse fascination. Tim Elhajj's memoir traverses the road back, the humiliating jobs, the trudging back up the hill with your tail between your legs. Being a screw up at 20 is one thing. Once you hit your 30s and 40s, it's humbling to be taking orders from kids half your age, riding bicycles. What drives Dopefiend is Tim's willingness to pay for his crimes, honestly, openly, and get back to where he belongs: being a man and father. This is a moving, unsettling portrait of the addict putting the pieces back together.
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2012
Verified Purchase
What we have here is a story of recovery stripped to its essentials. There are no lengthy sermons in here. There is no one single Moment Of Truth. There is not one bit of self-indulgent melodrama. What you get is an amazingly candid story of a sick man becoming better, day by day, a slow climb from the depths to success. All the fat has been trimmed away; there's nothing but meat here.
At each step along the way, I laughed, I cringed and I cried.
When you read someone's memoir, what do you look for? What is it you want to gain? Perspective? It's here. Inspiration? It's here. Great stories? This is a great story, and told with a high level of skill.
This is a terrific book and well worth the short amount of time it will take you to read it from start to finish.
At each step along the way, I laughed, I cringed and I cried.
When you read someone's memoir, what do you look for? What is it you want to gain? Perspective? It's here. Inspiration? It's here. Great stories? This is a great story, and told with a high level of skill.
This is a terrific book and well worth the short amount of time it will take you to read it from start to finish.
2 people found this helpful
Report abuse
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2011
Verified Purchase
This is a book written with love. Love can be a big motivator and it is the defining theme in this book. When it was all said and done, I think Tim realized that it was love that got him into recovery and was the driving force he needed to change himself and ultimately, his life. He talks of his recovery with honesty, frankness and humor. It's all in this book, his struggles, misgivings, confusion, and doubts, but it was the love in his heart for his family, especially his children, that gave him strength and continues to give him a reason to stay clean and sober. Also, in his recovery, Tim learned to love himself and that's what makes him and his story an inspiration to us all.
2 people found this helpful
Report abuse
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2018
Verified Purchase
Was a big hit at the county jail. The inmates would read it and then pass it on to the next inmate so they could read it. Enjoyed by the entire pod.
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2011
Verified Purchase
Loved reading your book, Tim. I gave myself a couple of days to read it - I wanted to stop and digest what you'd written after each chapter. The result is that I think you are a miracle. A bona fide miracle. I can see in you the promise of the 12-step program...a Higher Power at work on the inside - leading, guiding, walking beside you...and you listening, seeking, doing the footwork - even when it's very hard to do. The titles of each chapter are like little signposts along your journey, showing us how you "do life" these days. One day at a time. In God's time. I think I'll read the book again!
2 people found this helpful
Report abuse
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2015
Verified Purchase
Loved the book, Tim. Easy read and superbly written. Quite an interesting tale. Joey is a lucky man, and you, my brother, are a hell of a story teller - and an excellent Father.
One person found this helpful
Report abuse
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2011
Verified Purchase
I just finished this book and have to say it was a great read. I'm a sports minded person and I've always enjoy the underdog or the great come from behind victory. This is what the book brought out to me. When all seemed lost or unattainable, the resolute will to NOT GIVE UP is what any father would hope to pass on to his children. One of my favorite quotes references: " the credit belonging to the man in the arena, and if you fail, you fail while daring greatly. .. at the least your place will not be with those who never ventured ..." Great job, Tim; thanks for never giving up. You've suggested inadequacies in athleticism ... well, you knocked the ball out of the park.
2 people found this helpful
Report abuse
