Hooked: Addiction and the Long Road to Recovery

What a book so sad in places but so uplifting in other places .This book must have taken a lot of guts to write, the author takes you through all the ups and downs of his brilliant career just being honest never craving forgiveness when things go wrong.This is a must read for any football fan or addict.

Probably the end of the book,fizzled out with non football related charity work

I loved this book. It is really important that people with lived experience are able to share their stories. Paul Merson's story is shining the spotlight on our addictions and the power they have over us. He is also an inspiration by being so resilient despite inevitable setbacks. Brilliant!

I have been an addict for almost my entire adult life and only recently i have learned to accept why. This book is a honest story of how uncontrollable addictions are. The self destructive nature, the overwhelming call of alcohol, three legged horses and vegetarian greyhound who do not fancy chasing the hare. The all consuming nature of this illness is written about in detailed honesty, unflinchingly taking at good look at himself in the mirror and laying the pain out in black and white. I tip my hat to you Mr Merson for shinning a spotlight on the plight of those of us on the booze bus and our real life struggles. Those of us who are addicts are just a little too humane to survive in world where the stigma still lurks to keep us out of sight and out of mind. I would have given this book more that 5 stars out of 5 just for the blunt honesty and the courage to share this, i hope more addicts pick this book up, and understand they are not alone, and there is light at the end of this very dark tunnel. I think the NHS should be handing these out as it is far better than the so called help that they offer, if it were left to them i would still be on all fours barking at the postman. Well done, a cracking read.

This book is a very honest account of Paul merson and his struggles with addiction. A brilliant read and must for anybody who loves football and also for anybody struggling with addiction.

Following on from his autobiography, How Not to Be a Professional Footballer, released a few years ago, you're left with the impression that Merson was fairly content with the outgoing caricature he'd been fronting for a lifetime. Despite the many humorous recollections and throwaway broad appeal of that read, the biggest hint is buried in there when Merson stated that the clinic he'd attended in Arizona in 2004 hadn't seen anything of his like ever before (which at the time I felt was somewhat glossed over). For those who have read HNtBaPF before, Hooked is by no means a rehash. There's plenty of fresh content and refreshingly a lot of reflection that many can relate to and learn from. At the time of going to press Merson is thankfully in a much better place, seemingly - acknowledging and utilising the tools available to help him keep his demons away. Hooked ought to give hope to peoples (i.e. ANYONE) who all too easily opt to self-destruct, signposting sustainable outlets to alleviate pressure in the correct manner.

I’m a staunch Arsenal supporter of 68 years age .. many parts of the book are fine but I was left asking who do you blame PAUL !Whilst he admits/explains everything he never addresses the one thing he blames other than bookies taking his money,supporters buying him drinks etc etc..If it was his upbringing why not explain how it led to the bad things ..

Coming from someone who has just recently stopped drinking and sober for 2 months this book from Paul is extremely relatable, the excuse ' oh I'll pack it in tomorrow ' was a favorite of mine too. Definitely did feel choked up at points throughout it, inspiring read from the start to the finish.