Blackout Girl: Growing Up and Drying Out in America

by Jennifer Storm

Book Overview

A riveting memoir of what happens to a teenage girl whose life is awash in alcohol, drugs, and the trauma of rape. Jennifer Storm's Blackout Girl is a can't-tear-yourself-away look at teenage addiction and redemption. At age six, Jennifer Storm was stealing sips of her mother's cocktails. By age 13, she was binge drinking and well on her way to regular cocaine and LSD use. Her young life was awash in alcohol, drugs, and the trauma of rape. She anesthetized...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1592854680
• ISBN13: 9781592854684
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Hazelden Publishing & Educational Services
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

I felt very alone

This book made me feel less crazy or misheard. I related to almost every thought this woman had and felt like I was reading a book about myself---all the way up to the skating rink! If you are struggling with addiction or just mental health, I recommend this read.

One of the best

I enjoyed this more than most of the memoirs Ive read about alcohol.

Great!!!

This is a must read! It is such an eye opener and an amazing story!!!!

Inspiring tale from tragic to happy...

** spoiler alert ** I was originally drawn to this book in result of hearing Jennifer being interviewed on NPR. As I read the book, I was captivated with the fact that Jennifer made many mistakes throughout her teenage/early adult life that could have made her just another statistic, but in the end she has drawn on these terrible circumstances and reconstructed a prosperous life out of it. I felt her pain as she relived details of the sexual assault and many blackouts due to drugs and alcohol. I cheered her on as she attempted to get on the right track. I celebrated when she finally made the realization that she had a choice and decided to pursue a life in sobriety. I commend her with sharing her life with me. The way Jennifer structured the book was amazing. She begins with the end in a sense, "en medias res", showing how her current life connects with her past. I also find it humbling that she admits several times throughout the book that she knew her path was wrong at the time, but...more I was originally drawn to this book in result of hearing Jennifer being interviewed on NPR. As I read the book, I was captivated with the fact that Jennifer made many mistakes throughout her teenage/early adult life that could have made her just another statistic, but in the end she has drawn on these terrible circumstances and reconstructed a prosperous life out of it. I felt her pain as she relived details of the sexual assault and many blackouts due to drugs and alcohol. I cheered her on as she attempted to get on the right track. I celebrated when she finally made the realization that she had a choice and decided to pursue a life in sobriety. I commend her with sharing her life with me. The way Jennifer structured the book was amazing. She begins with the end in a sense, "en medias res", showing how her current life connects with her past. I also find it humbling that she admits several times throughout the book that she knew her path was wrong at the time, but wasn't sure how to fix it. She write with an authentic prose that's very vivid--painting a picture of her life revisited. I was also very fascinated when she wrote about her mother's death. I am amazed at how sometimes tragedy can become a blessing. I think in some ways her mother's death pulled her family closer and was a way for her to start toward realizing the severe addictions she faced. I also relate with many of the struggles she has had with connected with her mother. I also found her quest to define her sexual identity amazing. I know that not everyone's time to figure these things out is the same, and I am amazed at her particular journey. Her entire book seems to balance her goal of telling her story to others in hopes of preventing their pains by learning from her mistakes while using the book as a final therapy to work through her mistakes through pen. I liked the book so much that she's going to come to give a talk at my college this March to kick of Domestic Violence Awareness M

Brutally honest tale of survival

This book is a very honest and brave account of some horrific events in a young girls life. The author holds nothing back as she shares the depths of her pain, grief and disease of addiction with the world. She shines an important light on substance abuse and victimization amoungst young people. More importantly, she shows us how after reaching the pit of hell, one can pick themselves back up and attempt to walk a new path of recovery in life. She succeeds against all odds. This book is a must read memoir.

Blackout Girl

Jennifer Storm writes her memoir like a map to through and out of the life of addictions and personal discovery.By the end I was deeply touched and inspired to see how she lives today-making a difference in the lives of others.

Bring Storm to Your Campus!!!

Jennifer Storm is a true survival story...one that breaks the heart, captures the soul, and defies the odds. Having known Storm only in sobriety, I was stunned to read of the horrible events that shaped her past, as well as her unrelenting descent into addiction and self-destruction. This woman of such charisma, intelligence, and spirit could not possibly have been so close to complete and utter disaster. And yet, she was...thankfully living to tell us about it. I am so grateful that Storm shared her story with me, with our student-athletes, with our educators, with all of us. For a person to know with certainty that he or she is not alone is the ultimate gift; with a brutally honest account of her past, Storm has given a voice to countless others. Anyone who has the privilege and courage to read this book or to hear Storm speak will feel the hope and energy that fuels her indomitable spirit, and can also help to fuel their own journey through recovery. I absolutely recommend this book to all young women...and young men. If you are looking for a speaker to reach your young people, bring Storm to your campus or school. Our student-athletes (and coaches and administrators) were completely taken not only by her message, but also by her charismatic presence. I have no doubt she started the healing process for many, and most assuredly saved a few lives.

A sad story, too common today, with important lessons

Writing about such sad and tragic events, even when there is a happy ending, is an act of courage. Jennifer's telling of the story is at times so fluid I forgot I was reading and just took in the story. Those moments touched my heart and I found myself wanting to rescue her from the situation. Her slow spiral down to her low-point took many years. The sad reality of so many people in her life seeing her addiction and not offering more help is telling of our society's state of health. Her assent to a normal life she had never known was relatively swift. Her response to help is an example to all those who can find the motivation to accept it. She reveals some incredible truths about the internal struggle she and her peers in rehab had to make. Between the lines she reveals how dysfunctional her family was, and her choice of friends. There are internal conflicts in the book, and a few too many chapters jumping to a different time to illustrate a point. So I struggled to get through the first half, then stayed home too long one morning to read the last half. This is an important telling of a tragic reality. It sends the important message that a normal life is attainable. I recommend this book to anyone how wants to understand the life of an addict.