That's What Junkies Do

By: Thomas Figlioli

Narrated by: Shanon Weaver

Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

That's What Junkies Do is a brutally honest, often dark journey of one man's struggle with alcoholism and drug addiction. The story starts innocently enough in 1980's Brooklyn, NY, with a young boy, Thomas Figlioli, making a bad choice so he could gain the respect of a group of kids he looked up to and admired. Alcohol gives him the courage to be the person he always wanted to be. His fear and insecurity leaves and his lifelong struggle begins.

Being a good student, Thomas lands a scholarship to Pace University in Pleasantville, New York, where his alcohol use and hard partying ways increase with each passing day. When things start to turn sour in Pleasantville, he moves back to Brooklyn for a geographic change. It is back in his old hometown that his life starts to unravel at a steady and almost torturous pace. After losing a promising career in the financial industry, his life turns even darker, eventually being hospitalized in a psych unit for alcohol and cocaine use. Once released he immediately reverts to the same ways. Thomas's life becomes a vicious cycle of addiction, graduating to harder and more damaging drugs. There is nothing he won't do and nobody he won't hurt. When thoughts of ending it all become a better choice than living how he is, Thomas finally asks for help and gets it through a program of 12 step recovery. He comes back to life only to fall back into his old ways a few short years later.

Now, a grown man and upstanding citizen, with a career, a fiancé and people who count on him every day, Thomas secretly navigates his way through a seven-and-a-half-year struggle with various prescription medications, eventually finding his way back to recovery and the life he always prayed for when times were at their worst.

©2021 Thomas Figlioli (P)2021 Thomas Figlioli

Amazing story

Not every addict makes it; nor are they willing to share their struggles. This is a real view of what one goes though and the honest and bravery to share warms my heart.

loved it!

very good listen . enjoyed it very much . highly recommend for everyone in recovery ♡ congratulations on sobriety!!!

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!

as a mental health professional, it was so moving to hear someone’s journey through addiction and recovery. i hope that tommy lives a full and happy life from here forward and that he remains healthy and sober

if you love an addict...

I'm grateful for the work Thomas did to put everything into words that I can understand. As someone who was married to an addict, I struggled (and still do) to grasp the torture and science behind the toll taken on an addict. I spent many years not knowing I was even with an addict until it was out of control. I didn't know what I was fighting until it was too late. My wife lost her fight with addiction & I've spent a LOT of time blaming myself.
This book helped me understand that I couldn't have changed things - and now I know what to look for in other relationships & with my nephews. Maybe it will help me SAVE a life this time. THANK you 💕

The honesty and story gripped me right from the beginning and never let go.

This story gripped me right from the beginning. Even if you aren’t personally affected by drug and alcohol users in your life, this story is as honest as it gets. I laughed and cried out loud. Tommy let us right into the deepest and most private places of his mind and he never holds back. He reminds you that we all start out with the best intentions….not as the homeless guy returning bottled for crack. How many many rock bottoms does it take before someone wants to get help? What’s going on in the mind of a relapser? How low does their bottom have to get? I couldn’t believe how many times Tommy fell down and pulled himself back up. It’s inspiring how many times he’s had to humble himself to find true peace. The narrator also does an amazing job and I’m glad there another book on here by him - I’ll wait for more!

Emotional Rollercoaster, but DAMN, what a ride!!!!

I had to wait a day or two after I finished this book to be able to write this review. So much of what happens to the writer, his thoughts and feelings as he struggles through his life was way to close to family, friends and my own life and I needed to process first. I found myself crying, sad, angry and even laughing at times.

If you or some one you know and love has ever struggled or is struggling now with alcohol and or an addiction to any substance (legal or not) this book is a must read.

I know, growing up as the child of a functioning alcoholic soldier who was never stationed anywhere for more than 3 years, way to many of the thoughts and feelings the writer had as he grew up. I also had my issues with alcohol at age 13 while my dad was in Vietnam. As an adult I've been through some of the same issues Tommy does after his car accident. Concussion and it's lingering issues is a horrible thing to deal with!

There are times in this book where you will alternate between wanting to hug the snot out of the writer/Tommy AND slap the shit out of him.

Because of some health issues I no longer am able to read a physical book so I listen to them now. This one is very well done!
The melodic tones of the reader helped to put me to sleep many nights. You can tell that he is not a native New Yorker by the way he says a few words now and then. I also love that he didn't make all the characters sound like your typical over done, guido or street punk. Overall the narrator does an excellent job.

The only complaint I have with this book, and it may well be the formatting Audible uses, is the time between chapters. For the most part it seems to be okay. The one time I felt they should have taken a beat or two more is right after the chapter with 9/11. It's rather jarring now.

Do yourself a favor and pick up this book. It just might change your life!!!

life story

some parts were more interesting then others. it was interesting to learn more of life of people who struggle with addictions. great ending!

Super Real !!

This book was so good and so real that I had to listen piece meal because I would literally get sick to my stomach. No end to the good !!!!

good addiction memoir

checks all the boxes of a good addiction memoir. Short but to the point, colorful language and story

Amazingly relatable

This book was very very well spoken / written. It was extremely helpful, informative, and informational. I am very happy to have come across this one for sure! I hope anyone else who looks at the reviews, definitely gets this book!!!! Tremendous!