Steve Dunn said it’s a miracle he is still alive, after battling addictions to alcohol, cocaine and prescription pain pills.
The Lake Orion resident not only survived those experiences, he went on to use them as fuel for writing his first book ‘Give Me Strength: Battling Addiction,? recently published by Far Out Books.
‘I wrote it to hopefully help people who are living it,? Dunn said, adding that the book can also serve as a helpful tool for parents.
‘The absence of (parental) supervision is really what made me go down that road,? he said. ‘People who read the book from front to back can’t believe I’m still alive.?
Dunn’s story began at age 13, when he discovered alcohol. He said his late father, Jack, who was an alcoholic, is a central part of the book.
‘You almost grow to like him,? Dunn said. ‘It’s a story…besides getting to know me and all my faults, you get to know Jack at the same time. He almost takes over the book.?
Dunn, who hasn’t drank since 1988, moved from alcohol to cocaine, and was able to beat that only to become addicted to pain pills after knee surgery years later.
‘I let my guard down,? he said. ‘I’m one of the lucky ones. My little ones now are who pulled me out of this pain pill addiction.?
Dunn’s ‘little ones? are his five children, including his 16-year-old and 18-year-old sons. He said his wife has also been very supportive.
It took Dunn four years to finish his book, which was published by friend Bill Coleman, founder of Far Out Books. Dunn and Coleman met each other during the ‘cocaine 80’s? working together on 8 Mile Road.
‘Steve has a great deal of personal strength,? Coleman, who lives in Ohio, said. ‘A 12-step program doesn’t work for everyone.?
‘It was therapeutic to write it,? Dunn said. ‘It’s not a book on recovery. This is a book on my life.?
Dunn originally didn’t even plan to offer the book for sale, but only to have it at speaking engagements.
‘That’s my plan,? he said of becoming a speaker for young people. ‘I went to Allen Park and spoke to the sixth, seventh and eighth-graders there.
‘I’ve probably given more books away than I can sell,? said Dunn. ‘I’m not in it for the money…If I can get a hold of only a few kids, I’ve done my job.?
Dunn likes to example addiction to kids by using the analogy of a fuel tank.
‘When you first start using for fun, you’re at a full tank,? he said. ‘Then you start doing it just to maintain.?
Coleman added that getting over an addiction is a daily battle.
‘It’s not as if Steve didn’t fail a few times,? he said.
‘Everyday you have to fight, and win everyday,? said Dunn. ‘As long as you make that commitment, and really want to live that life, you can beat it.?
Dunn first began writing the book based on belief systems, but said the focus switched after his last episode of addiction.
‘I totally shifted gears,? he said. ‘I said if I beat it, I will do what I can to help others.?
Non-addicts can also gain a lot from the book, Dunn said.
‘They will really get something out of this book to understand, and not to judge people,? he said. ‘I put on a three-piece suit and go to work everyday, but I’m an addict.?
Dunn said his children haven’t read the book yet, because he wants to have a chance to talk to them about it first.
‘It’s not a pleasant book, it’s in your face,? he said. ‘I want them to be ready for it.
‘The last chapter will get you,? said Dunn. ‘I added it a year after the book was finished.?
That chapter is called ‘Goodbye, Jack,? and was added after Dunn’s father passed away at the age of 63.
‘The book couldn’t be completed until it happened,? he said.
Dunn plans to write more, with the help of Coleman, who he calls his ‘mentor.?
‘He’s an English professor,? he said. ‘We’re working on adapting (one of Coleman’s books) into a screenplay.?
Dunn recently held a book signing at Starbucks in Lake Orion, and donated a portion of the proceeds for Tsunami relief.
‘My plan is, I want to tour and speak,? he said. ‘I just want to help.?
Dunn’s book is available at his website, www.battlingaddiction.com. To book a speaking engagement, email Dunn at givemestrength2000@yahoo.com, or call (248) 701-9525.