New York Times Magazine Writer and Author visits Hanley Center to talk about his new book: America Anonymous

WEST PALM BEACH, FL., February 3, 2009 – For nearly three years, Benoit Denizet-Lewis immersed himself in the lives of eight men and women from around the country who were each struggling with different addictions. From his experiences, Denizet-Lewis wrote a compelling book – America Anonymous: Eight Addicts in Search of a Life (Simon & Schuster).

Denizet-Lewis made a stop at Hanley Center on January 27 to talk about his book and the eight addicts he followed before an audience of more than 65 guests who came to enjoy an afternoon with the author. The luncheon event took place at the Hanley Resource Center located on the Hanley Center campus in West Palm Beach.

Carol Colleran, executive vice president of public policy and national affairs for Hanley Center, led the discussion with Denizet-Lewis. Colleran, a pioneer in the field of older adult addiction, is quoted extensively in the book in one of the chapters dealing with “Marvin,” an older adult addict featured in the book and who also was in treatment at Hanley Center.

The subjects of Denizet-Lewis’s book include four men and four women with addictions that include heroin, alcohol, food, sex, cocaine, shoplifting and more. Denizet-Lewis takes the view of many researchers that the forms of addiction are not limited to drugs and alcohol. Denizet-Lewis, who is a sex addict, told the audience that he “wanted to write the story of addiction to help move it forward.” It took him four years to write the book because he relapsed while writing the book and stated “it was a difficult book to write but I am very proud of it” and he also said “even people not in recovery can relate to the book…to the struggles of the people in the book.”

A book signing with the Denizet-Lewis followed in the Jack C. Massey Serenity Bookstore located in the Hanley Resource Center.

The Jack C. Massey Serenity Bookstore is located at 933 45th St., West Palm Beach. It is the largest recovery bookstore in the southeast stocked with an impressive collection of books, gifts and inspirational treats. The bookstore is open six days per week. For bookstore hours or directions, call (561) 841-1027.