Ask the Contributors: Why Did You Choose to Be Open about Your Recovery?

Welcome to Ask the Contributors, our new video column featuring Q&As with some of most our esteemed writers. We’ve created this not only because we believe in out-and-proud recovery but also because we think you should see the people whose work you’ve been reading and hear why they decided to become so out-and-proud.

Today we’re talking to Patrick O’Neil, a former junkie bank robber, musician and author of the memoir Gun, Needle, Spoon. (For more on those robberies and that book—not to mention everything else Patrick O’Neil—listen to his episode of AfterPartyPod.) Today we ask him why he chose to remain open and honest throughout his recovery.