A gay man's struggles with addiction, aging, and homelessness...
In September 2004, I was diagnosed with HIV and Hepatitis C. Only in the following year did I realize the impact that these medical diagnoses had on my life as I started putting my life together after dealing with meth and homelessness. This book is about that journey of recovery.
Gay men struggle with many issues—from age to HIV—as we strive to understand how to fit into this culture. It’s dawning on some of us that we are now the adults in the room, no longer the pretty young thing at the end of the bar. Some of us turn to religion and spirituality to navigate the challenges of living as a gay man.
This book is my attempt to make sense of living in this world as gracefully as I can, despite anger, fear, the impact that being sexually abused has had on me, and my shame around being HIV-positive. I am far from the only gay man who has been told the big lie: “You will never be happy.”
When it comes to recovery, there is no right or wrong way to tackle addiction; there are ways that work for me but that may not work for you and vice versa. There are many pathways to recovery. This book is about mine.
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IN THE PRESS
I couldn't put the book down. As I read, it seemed impossible for anyone to recover from so much including meth addiction and all the other problems that Michael Small faced, but he did it. And did it indeed. He is now counseling others with addiction and helping gay men and the rest of us live lives of meaning and happiness.
MARYA OMALLEY,
REVIEWER
This book is about Michael’s journey and recovery. It is specifically written for gay men but can also resonate with anyone in the LGBTQIA community or anyone who suffers from health-related issues such as depression, drug addiction, or homelessness.
Many people live with HIV. In 2021 there were 36K+ people that received a positive HIV diagnosis. It can take HIV 10 years or more to show any symptoms.
Thanks to effective treatments, individuals with HIV can live long healthy lives. That does not,however, lessen the social or emotional impact that a positive diagnosis can bring, and as a result, many suffer from
depression.
Michael embraced spirituality, one of the pathways for recovery, to find a better place for
himself, and now lives a fulfilling happy life.
I believe Michael speaks from a place of earnestness, there was no pretension in his writing, only
his heartfelt reveal. I believe your heart is an important leadership tool and I hope reading
Michael’s story will help others in their journey to self-discovery and healing. In reading this
book, I believe this is Michael’s hope, sharing his difficult journey that has brought him to a
better place.
Testimonial
REVIEW
PAMM MEYERS
DIGITAL MEDIA &
PODCAST PRODUCER
BIO
With 20 years in the recovery community, I've transitioned from a peer support volunteer to a licensed substance abuse associate (LSAA) with a BA in Psycho-Spirituality. My mission is to provide a safe place for individuals navigating substance misuse and associated challenges like trauma and mood disorders. Since my early twenties, I've been actively involved in support groups, starting with homeless LGBTQIA+ youth. This diverse experience has shaped my commitment to inclusivity and understanding, fostering a continuous journey of empathy and support. You can check out my book, The Recovery Warrior.
Find me at Psychology Today/Therapists
Michael E. Small, LSAA, CPSW
Ministerial Assistant