From Junkie to Judge

One Woman's Triumph over Trauma and Addiction

By: Mary Beth O'Connor

Narrated by: Nikki Zakocs

From a junkie addicted to methamphetamines to a federal judge, Mary Beth O'Connor's memoir shares her inspiring journey from rock bottom to resilience as she forged a personal path to recovery from trauma and addiction.

Searing, unsettling, and ultimately triumphant, Judge O'Connor's debut memoir takes listeners on a wild ride through the rock-bottom underbelly of intravenous drug addiction to the hallowed halls of justice, where she rose to the pinnacle of success as a federal judge.

With wit and unabashed honesty, O'Connor shares her remarkable three-phase journey: the abuse and trauma that drove her to teenage drug use, the chaos that ensued from her addiction, and how she developed a personalized secular recovery plan that led to twenty-nine years of sobriety. Her story proves any addict can recover and anyone can build a productive and happy life, no matter how low the bottom or how deep the pain.

©2022 Mary Beth O'Connor (P)2023 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Incredible and Inspiring

This book is for those who need a reason to believe that their life and circumstances can get better.

Loved this story!

This is a wonderful addition to the addiction and recovery genre! Such a powerful story - truly from the depths of the darkest addiction to impressive heights in recovery. Also provides a secular / hybrid approach to recovery. Loved it!

Hope and Recovery

A heartbreaking account of trauma, abuse, and neglect. A breathtaking story of resilience, hope, and recovery. Beautifully done.

Brutally HONEST!

I don’t usually care for memoirs, but since I knew that Mary Beth O’Connor was an atheist, I was intrigued to read this. I am also in recovery, soon to have 14 years. I wouldn’t say that I’m an atheist, but I’m definitely an agnostic. My higher power exists in mother nature, the universe, & the relationship I have with both my husband and my dogs. The author takes us through her abusive and tumultuous childhood, through her teen years, her 20s and the beginning of her 30s before she finally discovers and commits to sobriety. It was beautifully written, and I was impressed with how brutally honest she was in telling of her story. She doesn’t sugarcoat it at all. Fabulous book! If you are considering giving up the drugs & alcohol, this book will give you hope. If you’ve already given up the drugs & alcohol, this book will give you hope. I highly recommend it!

Junkie to Judge

It was well written, sad in its entirety. I would recommend this to anyone especially if in recovery.