
Should've Been Dead
Lessons from a Crack Addict Who Broke Free
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Narrated by:
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Mark Garkusha
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Samantha Sayah
About this listen
An example of how, at any point, we each have the power to say, "This is not how the story ends." And Rory proves it.
“Just to warn you, he swears. A lot.”
I prepped my high school class for tomorrow’s speaker.
“He had a crack addiction, was living on the streets, and ended up buying the same laundromat he used to rest in. He turned it into a million-dollar business.”
“What?!! No way! How’d he do that?”
“You’ll have to wait for his answer.”
After seventeen years of chasing after crack cocaine, Rory Londer was crushed by failure. He had loving parents and was on honor roll lists, but addiction is a switch that can flip inside anyone. He had eaten food from the trash bin and starved in ten-degree weather, trying to collect quarters for one more hit. Now he’s a millionaire, but this story is not a rags-to-riches tale. It’s about emerging from the shadows of guilt and shame.
This collection of twelve lessons from Rory’s life is a guide to feeling like a disappointment, finding yourself, and then fighting for the life you want. High school teacher Sweta Patel interviewed Rory over two years to capture how building connections with others saved him. And when she brought his techniques to the classroom to connect with the hard-to-reach student, it was clear, his lessons aren’t for the addict alone
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David’s story is invaluable
- By Kristy Aiken-Smith on 03-13-22
By: David Poses
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Stash
- My Life in Hiding
- By: Laura Cathcart Robbins
- Narrated by: Laura Cathcart Robbins
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
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After years of hiding her addiction from everyone—stockpiling pills in her Louboutins and elaborately scheduling her withdrawals between PTA meetings, baby showers, and tennis matches—Laura Cathcart Robbins is running out of places to hide. She has learned the hard way that even her high-profile marriage and Hollywood lifestyle can’t protect her from the pain she’s keeping bottled up inside. Facing divorce, the possibility of a custody battle, and the insistent voice of internalized racism that nags at her as a Black woman in a white world, Laura wonders just how much more she can take.
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Best Mom/wife alcoholism memoir I’ve read
- By Allison M. Billet on 04-06-23
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Heroine
- By: Mindy McGinnis
- Narrated by: Brittany Pressley
- Length: 8 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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When a car crash sidelines Mickey just before softball season, she has to find a way to hold on to her spot as the catcher for a team expected to make a historic tournament run. Behind the plate is the only place she’s ever felt comfortable, and the painkillers she’s been prescribed can help her get there. The pills do more than take away pain; they make her feel good. But as the pressure to be Mickey Catalan heightens, her need increases, and it becomes less about pain and more about want, something that could send her spiraling out of control.
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Intense and Unapologetic
- By Erin on 03-13-19
By: Mindy McGinnis
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Dreamseller
- An Addiction Memoir
- By: Brandon Novak
- Narrated by: Brandon Novak
- Length: 8 hrs
- Unabridged
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At seven, Brandon was a skateboard prodigy. By the time he was fourteen, he was living the dream. Discovered by skate legends Bucky Lasek and Tony Hawk. Touring the US with the elite Powell-Peralta team. Signing autographs and appearing in films and magazines. Brandon had it all. Then he got hooked on heroin. Soon he was living a down-and-out life in a garage, begging for change, and hustling to score his next fix. He stole from his family and friends. He pushed the fantasy that everything was okay, that he was going to rehab, getting help, and getting better. But it was all a lie.
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true story
- By Andi T on 08-07-24
By: Brandon Novak
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When She's Gone
- A Thriller
- By: Rea Frey
- Narrated by: Jennifer Jill Araya
- Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
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Cora Valentine has her whole life—and a shot at the Olympics—ahead of her. But when she’s kidnapped on Halloween, her name is splashed across headlines not as an athlete but as a victim. Not even her safe return changes that, especially since no one is caught for the crime. Hounded by the public, Cora’s time as a missing girl and member of the Magnificent Eight has its consequences.
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wow
- By Kaci on 04-25-25
By: Rea Frey
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Suburban Junky
- From Honor Roll to Heroin Addict (Tenth Anniversary)
- By: Jude Hassan
- Narrated by: Virtual Voice
- Length: 5 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
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Jude Hassan was an ordinary, all-American kid. He had two amazing parents who gave him everything, especially a loving home. At fourteen, Jude's family moved from their home in the city to a beautiful suburban town on the outskirts of St. Louis. Suddenly, Jude was faced with being the new kid for the first time in his young life. He struggled to find his way in his new surroundings but continued to make straight A’s and excel in sports. When a fellow student approached him about attending a party, he was apprehensive but eager to experience his first social gathering. Unfortunately, that ...
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Wonderful story of healing and family values.
- By Taryn on 07-25-24
By: Jude Hassan
What listeners say about Should've Been Dead
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- Shelly Ogroske
- 09-26-24
Strength to Survive
Rory is an inspiration to anyone struggling with addiction and to help others better understand behavior of addicts & homeless people. They are people and need to be treated that way because not all can control their behavior at times. He is proof that with desire and opportunities' some can get through those difficult times and be successful even after 15 years. I have heard Rory speak twice and he is a true inspiration! The author did a wonderful jjob sharing his storyboard how he has impacted her life as well.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Sarah S.
- 08-22-24
Perseverance!
What an inspiration for others. Really tells the fight of an addict and advice for everyone.
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- Amy Olofson
- 07-16-24
Raw and honest
This book was so real. I didn’t want it to end! It was honest and the emotions could be felt.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Melinda Schroeder
- 07-28-24
Powerful Story
Our family listened to this book on vacation and we all loved it. Everything from heartbreak to hope, despair to dreams. It took us longer than the story to read because we often paused to discuss our thoughts and experiences in response. We walked away with a broader life view from this book.
Thanks you Rory for sharing your story, and Sweta for bringing it to us.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Jessica P.
- 07-30-24
A must listen to for hope, encouragement and inspiration!
Rory’s story shows the raw side of addiction. So many people view addicts as who they were and not who they have became. Rory walks us through his life journey on the troubles of his addiction to what it took to become sober. I have even applied some of Indian Mike’s inspiration in my own life (and shared it with my daughter), and remind myself to stop thinking about myself to get myself out of my own negative thinking. Rory’s real life journey has become an inspiration and is a great story told well by Sweta!
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2 people found this helpful
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- pinske
- 07-16-24
A true story of Resilience and Hope
This book is a blend of raw emotion, honesty, and powerful storytelling that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Sweta’s writing brings Rory’s struggles and triumphs to life. Sweta writes with such detail that you feel Rory’s pain, hope, and eventual recovery. This book is so authentic. Sweta doesn’t shy away from the realities of addiction and recovery, providing a look at the challenges Rory faced. Yet, through it all, you feel a sense of hope and resilience that is inspiring.This audiobook is a great listen.
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2 people found this helpful
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- SchlaffyTaffy
- 08-06-24
Not *JUST* a story about recovery.
I’ll be forever moved by this story. I’m so grateful the author took a sabbatical to write down Rory’s story. It is clear to my why Sweta’s students at the ALCwere so moved by Rory’s story- but I was not expecting to find so many life lessons that would be applicable to the those not affected personally by addiction. The quick remarks, the blunt nature of advice and the retelling of how he maintained his sobriety were impactful!
Being from Rochester, MN, having a husband in recovery- now a licensed drug counselor, this biography was really personal and I fully enjoyed the retelling. My only disappointment was that the audiobook was not narrated by Rory himself. I respect the decision- but I would have loved to hear his voice.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-08-24
Heartfelt and honest story of compassion, determination and embracing the human spirit.
I enjoyed how Rory's story was told with honesty about what it's like to struggle with addiction. His explanation of how a switch flips for some leading them to do anything for that next high is dead on. The life lessons taught in the text are ones anyone can use. How we look at and treat people being the most important
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- Regina
- 10-13-24
So real.
I decided to read this book because my Son is in prison right now and his son is in a rehabilitation facility trying to recover from meth. I try to find some answers as to why my family has gone down this road. I will read this book again because of all the important points that I believe will help. Thank you
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1 person found this helpful
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- AAAN
- 07-04-24
I didn’t know!
While we all in a way or another struggle with addiction, our struggles vary. This book makes you pause and think how to react or respond to a person or history of addiction. It also helps you learn that a person is not just what you see. The story behind them is much more rich and deep. Take a moment to truly listen; you may save someone or change someone’s life.
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2 people found this helpful