Scumbag Sewer Rats

John E. Smethers, PhD
CheckPoint Press (2008)
ISBN 9780955150357
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (9/09)

 

“Scumbag Sewer Rats” is an absolute fascinating read by an author who is a former addict who spent most of his life in a fog or in jail. His ability to give readers a new view at looking at addicts and criminals is very enlightening. For too long, we as a society have made nasty remarks about those that use and abuse and put them in a category of “wasting space on earth.”

He shares with us many criminal addicts who have come across his path who wanted to let others know what it is like. These individual stories often will make one mad, but as you read further you can understand these individuals a little more. He utilizes archetypes to give you better ideas where these individuals are coming from and he also has the strength to say that not all support groups are for everyone. He has come up with a new support group that that utilizes some of the concepts from AA and NA, but his perspective is very refreshing.

In the first chapter, he provides a very detailed overview of theories from Freud, Jung and James Hillman. The information on Depth Psychology and what it is was very interesting. Archetypes as the author relates are symbols that we place on individuals – the good mother, the martyr just to name a few.  Sometimes as adolescents we get stuck in the fun stage – no cares, no responsibilities.  Many grow out of that, but there are a few who will stay there well into adulthood.

“Scumbag Sewer Rats” by John E. Smethers, PhD, is a read that one will want to look at over and over for I’m sure that each time we read it we will learn something new. It is a book that I have recommended to all my psychology students.

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