Russell Brand to publish a book on addiction
- Russell Brand is to write a "definitive" guide to the disease of addiction
- The currently untitled book will be published in September 2017
- Brand says: "I believe that we are all on the addict spectrum"
Russell Brand is to write a book that aims to be the "definitive" guide to the disease of addiction.
The as-yet-untitled book will be "a guide to the disease of addiction, from an addict who has struggled with heroin, alcohol, sex, fame, food and eBay". It is intended to help anyone "who is an addict (or loves an addict) make the first tentative steps into recovery".
Book trade publication The Bookseller reports: "Brand will 'gently and humorously' recount his story and share the advice and wisdom he has gained through his 13 years of recovery. It will speak to those suffering along the full spectrum of addiction - from serious, life-threatening misuse of substances to 'more subtle, but still troubling' addictions, like getting trapped in unhealthy and destructive relationships to avoid difficult feelings."
Russell Brand says: "I believe that we are all on the addict spectrum, that the object of addiction is less important than the condition, and that in recovering as individuals, we can change the world. This book describes the way I work my programme and how it can work for anyone."
In 2012, Brand fronted a TV documentary called Russell Brand: From Addiction To Recovery. Meanwhile, last month, the comedian announced he has donated the Trew Era Cafe, the venue he set up in Hackney, to a charity that helps former prisoners and those struggling with addiction.
Carole Tonkinson, from publishers Bluebird, who have signed a two-book deal with Brand, says: "I wrote to Russell on the 1st January this year asking if he would write this book, because I woke up thinking that if there were one book we could publish in the year ahead that would make a huge difference it would be this book. I think a lot of the existing literature can leave a wider readership cold. Russell is the only person I can think of who could take on this project. I am incredibly grateful that he has chosen to entrust his work to us."
The book is expected to be published in September 2017.
Brand recently admitted that the "revolution" he proposed in his last book, published in 2014, has failed to materialise. Speaking at a live event, he said of his involvement in politics in the run up to the election, "I'd lost myself a little bit", adding to himself, "Don't run on the ego energy Russell, you run into trouble."
Brand is currently working on new stand-up material for a show titled Trewly Live, with various warm up gigs booked at theatres this month.