Alcohol and Alcoholism Advance Access originally published online on May 5, 2008
Alcohol and Alcoholism 2008 43(5):606; doi:10.1093/alcalc/agn023
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Book Reviews
Out of It—How Cocaine Killed My Brother. By Clare Campbell, Hodder, and Stoughton
; Hodder Headline Ltd, London. £7.99. 238 pgs. ISBN 978-0340-86362-6This is the very emotional account of the life of William Frost, acclaimed journalist with the London Times. It is written by his younger sister, Claire Campbell, journalist with the London Daily Mail, who remained part of his life until his early death.
The book tells the story of her brother's life, his early success as a journalist and war correspondent, and of his unfulfilled potential. It gives an account of drug and alcohol misuse, starting in late adolescence, continuing throughout his adult years and culminating in his untimely death at age 50.
In telling her brother's story, the author appears to struggle to understand how a clearly talented and well-loved writer, brother, and son could descend into hopelessness as he did. She cannot comprehend how a previously sensible and reliable older brother could fail to grasp the repeated lifelines made available to him. She describes with helplessness how his chaotic life, relationships and loves, differed starkly from the vibrant brother whom she loved and admired during her adolescence.
The author explains how Bill Frost's personal and latterly his professional life unraveled before the eyes of his friends and family. He morphed from a loving, caring brother to an unrecognizable "addict." She describes the difficulties she encountered in trying to remain part of her brother's life while attempting to protect her children from the effects of his chaotic drug use. It was evident that caring for him was extremely emotionally demanding.
Her attempt to understand the "whys" of her brother's problems with addiction led to an overemphasis on the minor role he played in a large, organized crime ring, perhaps to the detriment of the narrative. As a result, there are times when the book appears as part biography, part crime thriller. The author's in-depth descriptions of the organized crime in which her brother became ensnared may not reflect the experiences of the majority. Despite this, it is her attempts to comprehend his initial descent into crime which may provide some solace to those who feel isolated by their failure to understand the behaviors of their relatives with problems with substance misuse.
Her harrowing expressions of impotence will strike a chord with families who are dealing with relatives who struggle with addiction. Despite its shortcomings, this book remains a good read.
Specialty Trainee 3 in Psychiatry, Alcohol Problems Clinic, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||