Rating: 
Summary: An entertaining read
Review: Entertaining because it's not that deep. I agree with some of the people here that say Dr. Drew is a bit arrogant and thinks he's so much above everyone else, which probably makes his patients feel worse about themselves. I remember Dr. Drew on the radio when he was just starting out and he seemed so earnest and kind back then. Now he assumes he knows it all. If he cares so much about helping people, as he says in the book, why does he delight in joining Adam Carolla in making fun of them on the radio? When Adam does it, I admit it's funny because he is a professional comedian - when Dr. Drew joins in it's just sad. What must people think when a doctor makes fun of teenagers because they've grown up in less sophisticated circumstances and areas of the country than he did! You can really tell the difference when there's a guest doctor on. Someone like Dr. Bruce acts like he really cares about the callers' lives. Anyhow, I'm off track. I think before he wrote this book he should have gotten a psychology degree so he could put some scientific truths into it rather than his opinions which are based on only his experiences.
Rating: 
Summary: Cracked:Putting Broken Lives Together Again
Review: Now im studying psycholoy,and i am only 14, and ever since i started listened to Dr. Drew and Adam, i have realized that most of America doesnt want to be told ways to do things, and they do there iformation giving in a way that doesnt appear to threaten them, so they take the information and listen.This is mostly apparent to me because this is how i felt.
Now for the real main part of this.Dr. Drew isnt a PROFESSIONAL AUTHOR, thats not his job or his specialty;his passion is in helping addicts addicts and informing the ignorant.He wrote the book to show his feelings and inform less educated people. Also,lets use this mentallity. your an artist and im an engineer. Sure, you could draw what i want, but could you build it?
Next is that it sounds reoccuring, and i seldom feel the same way, but thats where your ignorance kicks in. Its reoccuring because its IS JUST THAT WAY! Its a dieses and thats how it happens, just as if you had an STD. That probaly means you got it from someone, that(mostly) is a SURE diagnosis.
Also, though it seems mean to some people, such as the addicts themsleves, he is not trying to be mean or picky towards you, he is just trying to tell you that if you TRULY want to get better, then you YOURSELF must realize that by taking ANY meds would be the same as teh drug and he must deal with hundreds of people daily of the same sort.He is also not trying to sound big headed either. What would be the mentality of that? Sure he could, and some might, btu you should have also gotten from the book that teh whole point is Drew is human, as us,and he feels guilty, depressed, sad, and even anxiaty.All in all, id just liek to say that this book is what it is, and a great one at that, so actually take what Dr.Drew gives you from it, because teh whole point he makes is that its HARD for us as humans to come to terms with the dieses, and thast why most people dont understand it.
Rating:
Summary: An Inspiring Read
Review: I wandered into the book store to buy this book, prompted nights previously by Dr. Drew. Upon reading it, I discovered how amazing Dr. Drew truly is. Being an avid loveline listener, I knew of this previously - but never have I acquired this much respect for him as a person, a father, and a doctor. Cracked intrigued me; in fact, it not only intrigued me, it inspired me. I now plan to become a psychiatrist, with a specialization in chemical addiction. This book sparked so many thoughts, and answered so many questions. It was one of the best books, the most informative, the most ineresting I have read in a long time, and I will continue to read it for a very long time. Two thumbs up, and great job, Dr. Drew! Congratulations on a wonderful book. I anxiously await a second masterpiece!
Rating:
Summary: I have purchased this book for many friends and family
Review: This is a great book, really makes you feel for those in pain. I have purchased this book for many friends and family. I believe it is that good and that helpful.
Thank you for taking the time to help us! Dr. Drew keep up the good work and radio show.
Rating:
Summary: Masterpiece...
Review: I am 16 and I've been listening to Loveline for about 2 years now. I was originally drawn to it when I heard THE Adam Carolla was a host with a man named Dr. Drew. I couldn't get over the funny lines Anderson dropped or the crazy ideas that Adam ran with (or Drew's occassional "Yes Sir Mr. Carolla"). However, as I began to listen more and more frequently, I began to take interest in Dr. Pinsky's specialties when it comes to not only drugs and addiction but the physical "brain re-wiring effect" these behaviors have. I now look forward to listening to Dr. Pinsky's opinions on the many many problems that the wide range of callers have as well as Adam's opinion... To the point, I have recently purchased and read Dr. pinsky's book. I have to say as unusual as it is for someone like me to read a book in the psychology (much more than psychology) section, I was unable to put the book down. The description as well as medical fact of the conditions that the patients have is mind warping. I was totally unaware of the almost chain like reaction that a single event in a childs life (abuse, abandonment, etc...) can have towards the wiring in their brains and characteristics of their behavior that cause them to seek the comfort of drugs. I never knew about the absolute BS that the media shows to youth on a daily basis. I never understood the frustrations involved in the medical - insurance discrepencies. The point is, this is a book that you absolutely must read. Do not make criticisms of this story not because of me saying this out of disagreement but because this book is here simply to tell the story. It is not here to shed light on Drew's life, not even on the travesties that can lead to the topics of this book. It is here to enlighten you, take from it what you will but do not discredit it.
-Dedicated listener, Tim
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I love this book, it has great info and insight, despite what other people may say, I recommend this book to anyone that is thinking about buying it and is reading this review.P.S. i'm a huge loveline fan, and i recently heard you talking about a bad review, You should know what kind of people listen to your show (not like me) that are total F-ups, so dont beat yourself up over it. I also got this book added to the list of possible books to use in our 11th grade english, because i recommended it to my teacher, and he liked it.
Rating:
Summary: in response to: will the real Dr. Drew please stand up.
Review: The author of aforementioned comment said "I'd like to know from the good doctor how he reconciles this dichotomy of roles and how he can condone, or even perhaps participate in, making fun of potential addicts for ratings points - or does his theme of faith and trust fly out the window as soon as he begins associating with Mr. Carolla?" A lot of kids today aren't big readers. But a lot of kids who would never pick up a book (and I don't mean Harry Potter) listen to Loveline. In its extremely entertaining context, it actually provides invaluable information that kids very often can't get other places. Sure there are online forums for teen drug use, relationship questions, et cetera, but not many are moderated by someone with a PhD. Dr. Drew can provide listeners with information they might be afraid to ask parents or doctors. I am not defending Dr. Drew so strongly only because I'm a fan of the show but because indirectly Loveline may have saved my life. Now before you roll your eyes and write me off as melodramatic, let me explain. I think it was a few weeks ago, maybe months now, that Dr. Drew mentioned on loveline, something called body dysmorphic disorder. up until then I had never heard of that disorder but from his brief interview with the caller who was showing signs of it my blood ran cold because it described me exactly. I had thought I was the only one like that, that there wasn't even a name for me, except ugly and worthless. In fact not only had I been into SI for a long, long time, but I had finally reached a breaking point and had formed a suicide plan i intended to carry out that weekend, as my parents would be away. Hearing the name of that disorder, I looked it up online and found many websites and online communities describing it. I also found a psychologist. I strongly believe I'm not the only one who has been helped in such a way by Dr. Drew. and I have to say Adam's wit has made me laugh at times when few other things could. Dr Drew may have many 'silent patients' like me, listeners of the show who gain from his experience and knowledge. I'm only 17, so I can't say whether the medical terminology in his book is correct or not, but I don't really care if there are a few typographical errors in his book. But I can say that the commenter who was nitpicking ofer a few spelling errors might be stuck in a certain psychoanalist's second stage of psychosexual development (cough anal fixation cough) if he's or she's that uspet over a few little spelling errors. Dr. Drew I doubt you will read this but if you do please, please know that for every reader or listener with nothing better to do than criticize, you are helping thousands and saving more lives than you know.
Rating:
Summary: I love you, Dr Drew!
Review: I reread Cracked in December and enjoyed it just as much the second time. Dr Drew, I know the negative reviews here are disenheartening. When I read them, I really wonder if some of these readers are bashing the book and you because they are in denial about their own problems and reading Cracked was a little too close to reality for them. I have never, in any way, found Dr. Drew to be self-promoting. He tells his story, thoughts and feelings candidly in Cracked. The book is written in first person and reading it is like following Dr Drew around in his daily life, so in that way, the book's focus is more on Dr Drew's interactions with the patients than on the patients themselves (which, BTW, is clear from the cover of the book - see there where it says "A Doctor's Story"?). How does this make the book self-centered? We all experience things from our own perspective, and Dr Drew writes about his perspective. I suppose he could have written a fictitious first-hand account of what it's like to be an addict - I don't doubt he has enough knowledge of that after so many years of treating them to do so - but that would require him to take a step away from truth, into fiction. And from reading Cracked, it's clear that Dr Drew is trying to get closer to the truth and to understanding about addiction. Dr Drew, you are doing great work. I've listened to Loveline for 6+ years now and you have helped me so much and I have learned so much from you. I can't stand Dr Phil and most of the pop-psychology self-help books, but YOU, above them all, have always felt genuine and true. Please don't think too much about the negative reviews here. The work you do is so important - please don't let these bitter people slow you down or make you doubt yourself. I've heard you mention the possibility of writing another book, maybe about early childhood trauma? You said something about how parents just assume their kids are ok after trauma because the kids can appear to be ok, when really they're suffering very much inside. That really resonated with me, because that's how my childhood was. Children go through horrible things, and yet no one talks about it. It's still a very neglected topic.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This book was very meaningful and personally helpful to me, which is more than I can say for some of the past reviews. (I'll get to that later) The work that the great Dr. Drew of the perhaps even greater radio show Loveline has put into this book is obvious. Also obvious is what this book meant to him and its insulting to see people criticize it. Also, it is pathetic to see people criticizing his radio show. For years he did that show free of charge with the only goal being to help others in need. And then there is the criticizing of Adam Carolla, who as far as I know, had nothing to do with this book. But to speak ill of such geniuses is unacceptable to me. Now please stop attempting to convince somebody who needs to read this book otherwise.
Rating:
Summary: excellent excellent
Review: I am a recovering addict and I have read several books about addiction. Drew's easy reading book provides great insight into the process in a simple, accessible, modest story. I listen to loveline at night on the radio and I am consistently impressed by the level of advice and information he transmits through this process. Listen to loveline for a month every night and you will develop a new sensibility and wisdom about yourself and your fellows! He is a model of patience, honesty, and kindness that any of us would do well to emulate, and the advice is always direct, practical, and solution-oriented. He is wise in choosing Adam Corolla as a cohost, as the audience that needs the advice most desperately would never listen if it weren't for Adam's bitter sarcastic humor.
Thank you sir for an excellent job. I hope that you will continue doing what you do for a long time.
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