Addicted to Perfect

A Journey Out of the Grips of Adderall

By: Vitale Buford

Narrated by: Erica Sullivan

Length: 7 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Perfection is the thief of joy. It’s a lie that keeps us in a stranglehold of chaos, people-pleasing, and addiction. Perfection says we are never good enough. It holds us back from being our truest, most authentic selves.

Author Vitale Buford spent nearly three decades of her life in the web of perfection. She was praised for being an "easy child", "pretty", and "self-motivated", so that's what she tried to be. Her need for perfection and outside success was coupled with her body-image obsession. It was also a distraction from the pain of abandonment and loneliness she experienced in her childhood. When she tied her self-worth to her external success and her appearance, her addiction to perfection was born.

In her junior year of college, Vitale was introduced to Adderall as a "study drug". She used it for a few months - and ended up losing 20 pounds; she also got her best grades ever with her most rigorous course load. She was sure she had discovered the "perfect drug". When she was able to obtain her own prescription the following year, it hooked her immediately. She was addicted not only to Adderall, but also to the perfection, the weight loss, and her newfound ability to accomplish projects and tasks with ease. This was the beginning of a 10-year love affair with Adderall.

In Addicted to Perfect, Vitale shares the highs and lows of having been a slave to Adderall, the destructive relationships that ensued, and the way that she finally broke free. She details the many twists and turns involved in the years leading up to her getting sober and the eating disorder that followed her into sobriety. Perfectionism is no longer something that enslaves her, and Vitale's story is one of hope that no matter where you are in your life, you can release yourself from the grip of perfection.

©2020 by Changing Lives Press and Vitale Buford (P)2020 by Blackstone Publishing

Thank you

I really enjoyed your book. I have struggled with the trading one addiction for another my whole life. I struggle now with weight and really felt this a beneficial listen for me.
Thank you Vitale for your story and your courage. I hope to see another book someday to keep us posted on your amazing story

Not bad

The narration wasn’t great but it also had to do with the first person in which the story was told: I finished the title within two days. I would say it was interesting, quick read and par of the plus catalog.

Reality of Adderall Addiction

A good heart-felt true story of the struggles this girl went through. I love her honesty in each area of the book. I don’t have an addiction but I definitely felt comparisons in areas of my life. It is very relatable! I love the end of this story and the message it gives. ♥️

Great Listen!

I can relate to so many parts of her story. I too am in recovery, a mother of 3 children & grew up in a alcoholic home. This raw, honest & deep at times story was written well. I was at times laughing at loud and other crying. Thank you!

exactly what I needed to hear

so true. so real. so good. exactly what I needed to hear. definitely a must read!

Loved it

Very inspiring and lots of intriguing moments. I enjoyed every minute
Would recommend to anyone

Very real and honest

I appreciated the honesty of the authors story. I'm amazed at her survival and proud of her recovery.

Unexpectedly great!

It’s definitely a different style of book. Lots of me, myself, and I‘s, but what a great story, a brave woman was willing to write. Thank you for this. Finished in one day! Would definitely recommend.

It's Like Reading My Journals

I wondered if I had a twin out there or something. The way she thinks and her general thought process, although a tad on the spoiled, narcissistic sude, was like the exact way I think. Great story. Can relate to it 100%

Beautiful

This is a beautiful story of Hope. Thank you Vitale for sharing it with the world.