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The Big Fix: Hope After Heroin Paperback – April 4, 2017

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 305 ratings
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After surviving nearly a decade of heroin abuse and hard living on the streets of San Francisco’s Tenderloin District, Tracey Helton Mitchell decided to get clean for good.

With raw honesty and a poignant perspective on life that only comes from starting at rock bottom, The Big Fix tells her story of transformation from homeless heroin addict to stable mother of three—and the hard work and hard lessons that got her there. Rather than dwelling on the pain of addiction, Tracey focuses on her journey of recovery and rebuilding her life, while exposing the failings of the American rehab system and laying out a path for change. 

Starting with the first step in her recovery, Tracey re-learns how to interact with men, build new friendships, handle money, and rekindle her relationship with her mother, all while staying sober, sharp, and dedicated to her future. A decidedly female story of addiction, The Big Fix describes the unique challenges faced by women caught in the grip of substance abuse, such as the toxic connection between drug addition and prostitution. 

Tracey’s story of hope, hard work, and rehabilitation will inspire anyone who has been affected by substance abuse while offering hope for a better future.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Seal Press
  4. Publication date
    April 4, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    5.38 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1580056636
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1580056632
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tracey Helton Mitchell is a recovering heroin addict. After completing rehab in 1998, she dedicated her life to the care and treatment of heroin users. Tracey entered school through an ex-offender's program where she earned a bachelors of business administration and masters of public administration.

In addition, she is a certified addiction specialist and supervisor. She was featured in the move Black Tar Heroin: The Dark End of the Street. She has also been featured by CNN, Anderson Cooper, Vice, the Huffington Post, and the New York Times. Tracey lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Seal Press; Reprint edition (April 4, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1580056636
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1580056632
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.38 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 305 ratings

About the author

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Tracey Helton Mitchell

Tracey Helton Mitchell

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I am a mother, a recovering addict, and an activist. I was featured in the 1999 documentary "Black Tar Heroin- The Dark End of the Street". I had been clean over a year when this aired on HBO. I completed a BS in Business Administration, I have a Masters in Public Administration, and a substance abuse counseling credential CATC. I have been working tirelessly for causes related to both recovery and harm reduction. I was given a second chance at life. I use it wisely

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
305 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

TD
5.0 out of 5 stars a beacon of hope
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book offers a beacon of hope. I'm thankful the author was able to make it "out" of heroin addiction. I am a nurse in an addiction recovery center. I often don't feel enough hope for the young heroin addicts that come through, and have questioned my calling because of that. I keep striving to understand more. Two ideas that I latched onto in Tracey's book, were, first of all, that addiction itself is nothing to be ashamed about (it can happen to any one of us) and demands self-forgiveness, even if others aren't forgiving, because as deadly as heroin may be, the heroin may also be the only thing keeping that person alive until better coping habits or healing happens. And second of all, no two person's recoveries have to look the same. What works for one might not work for another. Tracey expressed this when she talked about a friend of hers who relapsed and died after leaving a methadone program because he felt socially pressured that he wasn't "clean" enough. Tracey's book is full of wisdom, acceptance of the addict for who they are and what they are going through (while she also advocates for some self-protection) and unconditional love. It's a good read and could possibly restore hope for counsellors, friends and family members, and addicts themselves- please take the time to read this book.
2 people found this helpful
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Miss_Mermaid
5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and Inspiring
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2016
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I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of this book as I follow the author on FB and love reading her blog. She is brutally honest about the depths of despair her active addiction brought her and it would behoove anyone who will be reading this to watch Black Tar Heroin at some point to get a clear backstory and to truly appreciate how far this author has come in her journey.

That said, this book is very different from her blogs in that it is focused on her long-term recovery. She writes candidly about going through withdrawal in jail and the struggle to learn how to fill her life now that she is not focused on the day-to-day, all consuming task of getting the next fix. Also, she has to find a way to come to terms with everything the drugs allowed her to block out including and maybe especially the lengths she would go to to support her habit. (There is one story involving her using the ATM and seeing someone from her past that really emphasizes this point.)

Recovery is not a "one-size fits all" solution - this book is Tracey's story and it's truly inspiring how far she has come and also how dedicated she is to harm reduction. As she writes in the book (I'm paraphrasing) - it doesn't matter how many times you have tried to get clean and failed - it only takes one time to work, and work forever! She is living proof.
33 people found this helpful
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MsDaevu
4.0 out of 5 stars Extremely informative. Excellent read.
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2016
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I was told you can't recover from heroin; but this book disputes what I was told. An intensely honest story that answers the vital questions of how, why, and what. Thanks for sharing your book with the world.
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Mama Fox
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring raw and real
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2022
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I’ve been a fan and supporter of Tracey for many years- she is fantastic and her writing is prolific and insightful!
One person found this helpful
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allison figueroa
5.0 out of 5 stars This book was GREAT! I could relate to what Tracey wrote because ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2016
Verified Purchase
This book was GREAT! I could relate to what Tracey wrote because i was also a heroin and crack addict. I did alot of the same things that she did to get my drugs. And like her i am now clean (i got clean on april 15th 2011) her story has touched me and made think of what i been through and how i am one of the lucky ones who got out of that lifestyle. Where alot of people i knew have died due to drug overdoses.
But there their is a life after drugs.
If you like to read memoirs about drugs addiction this is one of my 5 favorites. I guve this book 5 stars
4 people found this helpful
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KellyB
5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely inspirational!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
I’m not an addict but rather the parent of a very strong and extremely lovable young recovering addict, my son. He is my strength and my weakness wrapped in one. I admire my son’s strength and courage to continue on his road to recovery. I’ve read many books on the opioid epidemic, but this was the first I read “from the other side” of the epidemic, the addict’s account. I’m so glad I read it too because it reinforced what I know is possible...but only when they are ready. My son’s point was his OD...his first, and I have no doubt, his last. That’s not always true for everyone but, as Tracey confirms here, there is no “one set solution” that will work for everyone. Every addict is someone’s mother, sister, brother, father and child. They all deserve to recover and live a happy and fulfilling life.

I want to thank you so much, from the depths of my heart, Tracey for sharing your story. It can give hope and strength to anyone, going through anything, including but not limited to addiction. You have a beautiful soul.
2 people found this helpful
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anonymous
3.0 out of 5 stars Worth supporting Tracey, but writing isn't strong
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
I'll give it three stars because I respect Tracey and love what she stands for and what she does. I don't regret buying the book because I want to support her.

But - I was disappointed in the book itself, and if I were scoring the book just on its own merits, I'd have to give it maybe two stars. The writing just isn't strong or compelling, which is a shame because her story IS compelling and deserves to be told.

Through many years, books about recovery have provided a constant source of inspiration in my own recovery - I've read a lot of them, and will probably read many more. I don't expect superb writing from folks who are simply trying to share their personal journey (though I have been really pleasantly surprised by some great writers in the recovery genre), but I was saddened to find that this one just doesn't hold my attention.

Buy the book, though, if you have any interest at all in recovery stories. Maybe you'll like it more than I did, and either way, buying it is money well-spent, because you will be supporting a woman who is dedicating her life to helping others stay alive and get and stay clean.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Davio
5.0 out of 5 stars inspiring stuff
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
A great read for anyone who has ever had the painful pleasure of meeting opiates. And for this who haven’t, just a great story
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on January 18, 2017
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A+ thanks!
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Luka
5.0 out of 5 stars Heroine!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 14, 2016
Verified Purchase
I follow Tracey's blog and have watched the harrowing HBO 'Black Tar' documentary a couple of times. I was anticipating this book and was not disappointed. Tracey writes well and vividly of her experiences, the hope burning deep inside her, her determination to not end up another statistic despite the fear of leaving the familiarity of addiction.
''Clean was a rumor.. clean was a fairy tale.... Clean was so elusive, I was afraid to go there''

Not only does she fight heroin addiction, she learns to live life. She holds down a full time job, finds love and has children- A far cry from sleeping on a cardboard box, a slave to her next fix.

Though I've been fortunate to not have gone through the horrors of drug addiction, I can empathise with the need for control and the illusion and seduction created by the highs of substances. I find Tracey incredibly inspiring, getting clean is one thing, staying clean another (when quite literally the odds are against her) then, furthermore dedicating her life to the care and treatment of heroin users- well this is what makes the real difference, the silver lining.
2 people found this helpful
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Hank Moody
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
An absolutely fantastic book. Heartbreaking and honest. Very easy to read too.
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Jools
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous, heartfelt book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 30, 2016
Verified Purchase
After watching the Black Tar Heroin documentary I was curious to find out some follow up info. I am so delighted that Tracey kicked the habit for good. Such an inspiring book and its so wonderful that Tracey has turned her life around and now helps others with addiction problems. A heartfelt book that you can't put down. From the depths of despair to completely making a new,rewarding life. This is incredibly uplifting. Well done Tracey. Utmost respect.
2 people found this helpful
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