Strung Out

One Last Hit and Other Lies That Nearly Killed Me

By: Erin Khar

Narrated by: Jayme Mattler

Length: 10 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

“This is a story she needed to tell; and the rest of the country needs to listen.” (New York Times Book Review)

“This vital memoir will change how we look at the opioid crisis and how the media talks about it. A deeply moving and emotional read, Strung out challenges our preconceived ideas of what addiction looks like.” (Stephanie Land, New York Times best-selling author of MaidIn)

This deeply personal and illuminating memoir about her 15-year struggle with heroin, Khar sheds profound light on the opioid crisis and gives a voice to the over two million people in America currently battling with this addiction.

Growing up in LA, Erin Khar hid behind a picture-perfect childhood filled with excellent grades, a popular group of friends and horseback riding. After first experimenting with her grandmother’s expired painkillers, Khar started using heroin when she was thirteen. The drug allowed her to escape from pressures to be perfect and suppress all the heavy feelings she couldn’t understand.

This fiercely honest memoir explores how heroin shaped every aspect of her life for the next 15 years and details the various lies she told herself, and others, about her drug use. With enormous heart and wisdom, she shows how the shame and stigma surrounding addiction, which fuels denial and deceit, is so often what keeps addicts from getting help. There is no one path to recovery, and for Khar, it was in motherhood that she found the inner strength and self-forgiveness to quit heroin and fight for her life.

Strung Out is a life-affirming story of resilience while also a gripping investigation into the psychology of addiction and why people turn to opioids in the first place.

©2020 Erin Khar (P)2020 HarperAudio

Critic reviews

"This vital memoir will change how we look at the opioid crisis and how the media talks about it. A deeply moving and emotional read, Strung Out challenges our preconceived ideas of what addiction looks like." (Stephanie Land, New York Times best-selling author of Maid)

beautiful

I've been sober for 1 year and 3 months. I never thought I'd make it this far. I resignated with Erin in so many ways at several different points in her story. I cried several times. im genuinely happy for her outcome. definitely worth the read. will read again ♡

Very well written

Relatable, intelligent entertaining story of addiction & mental illness & finding a way out on her own

Outstanding and Honest Memoir

I have read hundreds of memoirs, and this is one of my top two favorite! The author is very humble and caring, and her braveness will help thousands! Must read!

Powerful

Wow this was super inspiring and powerful. Thanks for sharing your story with the world.

great story great narrator

the story gripped my attention and the narrate was excellent. really brought depth to story.

Incredible story

If you are in recovery- this book is excellent- at times exhausting to listen to- at times I couldn’t put it down. This woman was incredibly privileged- which was not helpful- at times- I kept asking myself? Who is paying for all this? Millions spent in housing ,treatment centers lifestyle- I was rooting for her and at times so disgusted- I lost count of her boyfriends- seriously- but did I enjoy it- absolutely- I want to meet Erin and give her a hug- she is one bad- ass woman

MUST READ NO MATTER DOC

I have listened to several true stories about women and their recovery. I was leary about choosing this one because our DOC is not the same, READ IT ANYWAY!! When it comes down to it we all reach out to drugs and alcohol for some of the same reasons, it don't matter what you pick up. She hits on so many real things, that resonated with me!!! This is by far the BEST recovery book I have read to Date! Erin, my friend, YOU ARE AMAZING, I can't say I didn't yell OUTLOUD at you ONCE, but omg thank you so much for sharing your story.

Please if you are in recovery, or thinking of recovery, or just want A REALLY good book to read. CHOOSE THIS

Couldn’t stop listening!!

I’m normally a big true crime buff. But I decided I needed a change and took a chance on this book. Wow! Raw, honest and inspirational. Absolutely worth the buy!

Heartbreakingly Inspiring

A must read… More than once. I could relate to parts of her story. This is a beautiful work of art. ❤️

Erin Khar does not disappoint!

I enjoyed the story and performance. Never read a memoir where the author was wealthy and didn't have to become a sex worker to support her habit.