Backbone - Living with Chronic Pain Without Turning into One

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. From the publisher -

Over one-third of the United States population--nearly one hundred million Americans--is currently living with chronic pain, while another 133 million Americans live with some form of chronic illness. Half of the United States population suffers from these invisible illnesses where their symptoms are not always obvious to the casual observer. Among them is Karen Duffy, New York Times-bestselling author, former MTV DJ, Revlon model, and actress: she suffers from sarcoidosis, a disorder that causes the growth of inflammatory cells on different organs of the body. In her case, her sarcoidosis is located in her brain, causing her unimaginable pain. For two decades, Duffy has managed to live a full life, despite living in a state of constant pain. In Backbone, a powerful, inspirational, funny, and important manual for surviving pain, Duffy draws on her experience as a patient advocate, trained recreational therapist, and hospice chaplain to illuminate gratifying methods people can use to cope with chronic pain. Backbone is for the massive population of sufferers who are eager to be understood and helped and sends the message that despite the pain, there is a way to seek a good life.

I went into this book with a prejudice --- 99% of the people that I deal with that are in chronic pain are substance abusers- mostly weed but all the way up to needing methadone. I suffered for deciaes from endometriosis and its horrifying pain but I decided it wasn't going to run my life --- I WAS. Without pills. I WANTED A GOOD LIFE, JUST LIKE KAREN DUFFY DID!!!

And it worked for me, although and I had to stop going to support groups as I was sick of people not even willing to even think about different avenues for stopping their pain.

Working in social services I tend to see the problem as drug addiction, not pain problems. Duffy's book is an interesting read as it has given me some ideas for my clients to stop the circles of hell and to live a good life. Thank you, Karen Duffy, for having the balls to say it as it is.