Analysis of a Million Little Pieces

The decision to go to drug rehabilitation for most people is either forced upon them by the law, family, or ultimatums. It can be assumed that those addicts will be the least successful in their journey through recovery. However, another smaller percentage of addicts want to recover from their addiction because it is their choice to change their life style and better themselves. It can be assumed that their desire to recover will lead them to become the most successful patients. In A Million Little Pieces by James Frey, James faced the same dilemma: Does he really want to get better or does he want to drown himself in drugs? Throughout the memoir, James struggles to come to a conclusion while facing demons from his past that were waiting for him when he became sober. Not only did he have to deal with his past but he also had to deal with other addicts who frankly did not want to be in rehab. Another part of rehabilitation that was difficult for James was following the structure of the 12 Steps program which was adopted by the rehabilitation center. As James saw it, by adopting the 12 Step program he was simply replacing one addiction for another. There were also aspects of the 12 Steps that James disagreed with and refused to follow. He saw himself as being the exception to the rule and intended to get through rehabilitation on his own terms. Once he was released from rehab, James tested himself. This test consisted of him going to a bar, having the bar keep pour him a large glass of whiskey, and tempting himself. Now the question stands, ‘Was James truly successful and rehabilitated?’ In my opinion, I believe he was. James faced the things that drove him to take drugs and alcohol. He conquered his demons and was willing to change himself because he no longer wanted to walk the destructive path that he was on for any longer. Although he was very defensive and refused to follow the structure set up by the rehabilitation center, he was still able to recover.

Cited: Frey, James. A Million Little Pieces. New York: N.A. Talese/Doubleday, 2003. Print.