oh the guilt

Read this more than 10 years ago.

I read the version which included author's "foreword" concerning all the things he had learned from doing drugs. It's more of an article really. I think it should be a mandatory reading for those in the medical profession.

But I really think that everyone should read it (the introduction - not the book, for there really is no such a thing). You might learn something useful and it might possibly help some who is tempted to steer clear from drugs (not that I'm saying you shouldn't do it if you want to). For me, it merely showed what I already had assumed: that it is possible to abuse your body to no end and still end up as a normal person. It's not the drugs, people, it is you!

There's no such thing as drugs being capable of changing your whole identity and personality to something entirely different - not to mention for good. If you are dumb or weak - or both - there's a good chance that you will fall as victim. But there's just as good of a chance for you to fall as victim of life, no matter what your excuse is. This is the real lesson of drug use.

The "book" itself is just a big waste of everyone's time - including Burroughs'.

The only wisdom provided herein is the quote "arousal, discharge and rest" (which I'm sure is just common medical jargon - so, so much for originality in thinking, Billy boy). But still, it's as accurate description of life as possible when you can only describe it in just three words.