Review of Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?
-
Matt_4
- Posts: 14
- Joined: 07 Jun 2021, 06:22
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 14
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-matt-4.html
- Latest Review: The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
Review of Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?
[Following is a volunteer review of "Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?" by Kyle Oh.]
Ever wondered why some people get addicted to drugs while some don't?
Why Can’t Johnny Just Quit? by Kyle Oh gives readers a breakdown of addiction. The author analyzes drug abuse and addiction based on his previous experiences when dealing and interacting with drug addicts. Additionally, Dr. Oh also digs deeper by showing readers what he thinks could be the underlying factor and the leading cause of drug and alcohol addiction. His approach is quite different but makes a lot of sense when he uses statistics and previous studies to support his points.
The best way to treat something is by first getting a better understanding of it, and this book does this. Through the book, I finally got to understand the true meaning of “high.” This is because the author clearly explains this to the readers through examples and takes us through the victim’s actual experiences/feelings whenever they take the drugs/alcohol.
I must say, through this book, I can now understand why some of us don’t get “high” while some get hooked to drugs/alcohol once they have a taste of it. Additionally, I now understand why it is a real struggle for some people, including those who have been so close to me, to find it so hard to quit.
What I loved most about the book was that the author does not treat addicts as criminals or failures in life. Instead, he puts himself in their shoes, treats them as human beings who need compassion, support, and understanding as they try to free themselves from this struggle. This makes it a valuable book, especially for readers with relatives or friends hooked on addiction and the addicts themselves.
I must admit that when I picked this book to read, I thought I knew everything I needed to know about drugs and alcohol. We are taught in schools, and there are campaigns all over for “say no to drug abuse,” plus, I have had close relatives and neighbors who have been addicted for so many years. Surprisingly, after reading Why Can’t Johnny Just Quit? by Kyle Oh, I realized I knew nothing about addiction!
One of the most valuable lessons this book has taught me is that instilling fear on people will not stop them from abusing drugs or becoming addicts. So, I will not use the fear-driven tactics on my kids, for them not to do drugs, but instead, I now know a better approach. This is what I believe every parent should learn.
The book was packed with handy information. However, I would say that one thing that I did not like about it is the level of engagement. For me, the book felt like a textbook that is just packed with information. I wish the author would have used more real-life examples also to support some of his statements. For instance, at the beginning of the book, he talks about one of his patients who got addicted while under him. This was engaging, interesting, and very relatable. However, after that, he just gives us research and statistics.
For that reason, I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars. The book was very informational and professionally edited. I did not give it a 4 star because, as mentioned earlier, it was not engaging, which is why it took me long to finish reading.
I would recommend this book to parents, drug addicts, and those trying to understand addiction.
******
Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Ever wondered why some people get addicted to drugs while some don't?
Why Can’t Johnny Just Quit? by Kyle Oh gives readers a breakdown of addiction. The author analyzes drug abuse and addiction based on his previous experiences when dealing and interacting with drug addicts. Additionally, Dr. Oh also digs deeper by showing readers what he thinks could be the underlying factor and the leading cause of drug and alcohol addiction. His approach is quite different but makes a lot of sense when he uses statistics and previous studies to support his points.
The best way to treat something is by first getting a better understanding of it, and this book does this. Through the book, I finally got to understand the true meaning of “high.” This is because the author clearly explains this to the readers through examples and takes us through the victim’s actual experiences/feelings whenever they take the drugs/alcohol.
I must say, through this book, I can now understand why some of us don’t get “high” while some get hooked to drugs/alcohol once they have a taste of it. Additionally, I now understand why it is a real struggle for some people, including those who have been so close to me, to find it so hard to quit.
What I loved most about the book was that the author does not treat addicts as criminals or failures in life. Instead, he puts himself in their shoes, treats them as human beings who need compassion, support, and understanding as they try to free themselves from this struggle. This makes it a valuable book, especially for readers with relatives or friends hooked on addiction and the addicts themselves.
I must admit that when I picked this book to read, I thought I knew everything I needed to know about drugs and alcohol. We are taught in schools, and there are campaigns all over for “say no to drug abuse,” plus, I have had close relatives and neighbors who have been addicted for so many years. Surprisingly, after reading Why Can’t Johnny Just Quit? by Kyle Oh, I realized I knew nothing about addiction!
One of the most valuable lessons this book has taught me is that instilling fear on people will not stop them from abusing drugs or becoming addicts. So, I will not use the fear-driven tactics on my kids, for them not to do drugs, but instead, I now know a better approach. This is what I believe every parent should learn.
The book was packed with handy information. However, I would say that one thing that I did not like about it is the level of engagement. For me, the book felt like a textbook that is just packed with information. I wish the author would have used more real-life examples also to support some of his statements. For instance, at the beginning of the book, he talks about one of his patients who got addicted while under him. This was engaging, interesting, and very relatable. However, after that, he just gives us research and statistics.
For that reason, I rate the book 3 out of 4 stars. The book was very informational and professionally edited. I did not give it a 4 star because, as mentioned earlier, it was not engaging, which is why it took me long to finish reading.
I would recommend this book to parents, drug addicts, and those trying to understand addiction.
******
Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
