Scumbag Sewer Rats

by John E. Smethers

An interesting and socially-important psychological review of the criminal archetype, that views the phenomenon of criminalized drug addiction both from the inside, as well as from the academic perspective. Offers a unique, fascinating and heartfelt glimpse into the world of criminalized drug addicts, revealing both the self-indulgence and the outgoing humanity of the puer and trickster images that is so prevalent in the social order of this shadowed underworld. Dr John Smethers takes us on a deeply personal journey, looking at the root causes and effects of a sub-culture populated by society's social outcasts. Drug addicts, alcoholics and petty criminals are studied from the unique perspective of someone who has not only 'been there', but one who has also successfully struggled against the social and psychological forces that have lead so many of our young men into hopelessness and despair. This is a keen and insightful look into a little-known underworld which we all, in one way or another, have helped to create.

168 pages, Paperback

First published March 18, 2008

About the author

I went to a party when I was eleven and didn't get back until I was forty five. I managed to put an end to more than thirty years of alcohol and drug addiction culminating with a stretch in the state prison system. Upon being released from the California Department of Corrections on Dec 3, 1989, my first life came to an end. During that first life, however, I did manage to raise a daughter. I have two grandkids, a boy and girl. Fortunately, my grandkids will never see me the way my daughter did. They'll never have to watch the police take me out of the house in handcuffs like my daughter did. They'll never have to control their behavior according to what drug I was taking like my daughter did. And they'll never have to endure being embarrassed in public like my daughter did. Fortunately I haven't taken a drink or put a needle in my arm since May 7, 1990 (my last relapse date), and for that I am most assuredly grateful.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say after reading "Scumbag Sewer Rats?" I can say Wow! What a potent adventure. John Smethers brings to us a world of the unspoken, the underworld of those in prison and those in their own prison of addiction. The stories are real, they are gut-wrenching, they are the truth that society does not acknowledge. Smethers’ own personal tales of addiction, imprisonment, probation, and recovery trickle down throughout the book bringing the reader closer to his truth and his determination to guide us to awaken to a new idea of recovery. He presents a new plan of recovery which utilizes both “steps” and “archetypes” which interplay to form a basis in spirituality and transformation for the questing addict. Sobriety may or may not culminate with this new plan of attack, however, in view of the models currently adhered to by society, Smethers’ bold look at addiction recovery is certainly worth our time and investigation.