The Heroin Diaries: Ten Year Anniversary Edition: A Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star

Written by Nikki Sixx

Narrated by Nikki Sixx, Sophie Kargman and Ross Marquand

In honor of the ten-year anniversary of The Heroin Diaries, Nikki Sixx’s definitive and bestselling memoir on drug addiction is reissued with exclusive new content. This shocking, gripping, and at times darkly hilarious memoir explores Nikki’s yearlong war with a vicious heroin addiction. Now more than ever, with opioid addiction ravaging our country and rising by twenty percent in the past year alone, Nikki’s story of both his descent into drug-addled decay and subsequent recovery and transition into a rehabilitation advocate are now more relevant than ever.

When Mötley Crüe was at the height of its fame, there wasn’t any drug Nikki Sixx wouldn’t do. He spent days—sometimes alone, sometimes with other addicts, friends, and lovers—in a coke- and heroin-fueled daze.

The highs were high, and Nikki's journal entries reveal some euphoria and joy. But the lows were lower, often ending with Nikki in his closet, surrounded by drug paraphernalia and wrapped in paranoid delusions.

Here, Nikki shares the diary entries—some poetic, some scatterbrained, some bizarre—of those dark times. Joining him are Tommy Lee, Vince Neil, Mick Mars, Slash, Rick Nielsen, Bob Rock, and a host of ex-managers, ex-lovers, and more.

Brutally honest, utterly riveting, and surprisingly moving, The Heroin Diaries follows Nikki during the year he plunged to rock bottom—and his courageous decision to pick himself up and start living again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Oct 24, 2017
• ISBN: 9781508254393

Nikki Sixx

Born Frank Feranna, Nikki Sixx grew up in Seattle and moved to Los Angeles at the age of seventeen. There, in 1981, he became the bassist for Mötley Crüe, the legendary rock band he started with Vince Neil, Mick Mars, and Tommy Lee. Today he is the New York Times bestselling author of The Heroin Diaries and This Is Gonna Hurt, and a coauthor of the Mötley Crüe book, The Dirt. Nikki Sixx is also a nationally syndicated radio host of Sixx Sense, writer, artist, photographer, and still loyal member of the Crüe.

Reviews for The Heroin Diaries

[tara platten · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is an amazing inspiring and educational, I literally didn’t know half the struggles Nikki has been through in his life. And I feel so blessed that Nikki is still kicking and telling his tale. Amazing book and so plan to buy a copy and read it over and over when I struggle

[JoAnnHristov · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book, so honest. Amazing the Nikki is still with us

[Bob LaGasse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Content was great but sounds like it was recorded with a Fischer price toddlers first radio. Wouldn't expect that much clipping and distortion from a musicians recordings oh well what are you gonna do.

[Rhonda Ronsman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As an addict, almost every part of his story was my story, including the dying part. I can’t believe I never read or listened to this until now. It was spectacular.

[Rebecca Nicole Norman · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book. I wish the audio was better but besides that it was great! I’ve always wanted to read it since I was a teenager but I’m glad I waited about 10 years because I definitely wouldn’t have understood the impact this book is supposed to have. Definitely going to buy the hard copy ?

[Atheos777 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The joys of childhood!! Well done!!!! Hindsight is 20/20. Good book!

[Barbi Duke Nay · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was drawn to The Heroin Diaries: The Year in the Life of a Shattered Rock Star by Nikki Sixx due to my absolute love of Motley Crue. As an SUD counselor I was interested in his story. I am also a child of the 80s. I am all about that Rock n Roll of the 60-70-80s.

The beginning of the book Nikki writes his book is in schools and rehabs. Honestly, the last place this book needs to be is in rehabs. I haven’t used drugs since the 80s. Let me say even I had triggers. So major TRIGGER warnings for anyone in recovery especially Heroin, Fentanyl and/or Cocaine. Especially those that used needles. He goes into great detail.

I cried at the end of the book. Nikki so badly wanted to stay sober. He didn’t want to be leashed by the demons that held him to these drugs. I different on what he had to say about Methadone. Methadone works IF you go through the treatment as it is meant to be. Methadone treatment is and always has been a long term program. Some are lifers. There never has been a 30 day program for Methadone. A patient can’t even be stable in 30 days.

Enough of that little rant.

My heart and soul felt his pain. I felt his arrogance. I cringed at the places on his body he used to shoot up. I felt complete sadness for anyone that has walked in his shoes. I was so happy when he become sober and laid with the lady in the park listening to her story. When he cheered on the over weight lady by taking photos of her encouraging her to celebrate life.

I have always loved Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil and Tommy Lee. I just fell in love with them a little bit more

[Micky McDonald · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! What a trip. I grew up on Motley Crew music. Nikki Sixx is a great story teller. Highly recommend.

[Angel Monroe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a GREAT & FASCINATING Read !!! Well-Worth a 2nd or a 3rd re-Read !!!

[Peter Lajoie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Nikki Sixx , rock legend! Loved it. I recommend it, for sure!

[Dan Failla · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I gave it 5 cause I think it’s weird to rate someone’s autobiography. It’s like 5 but since you did heroin I’m gonna give you a 3.
So I’d actually rate the book itself a 4. I like that it moved fast, maybe due to the entries being short and the constant contributions of people who were there.
It was cool to hear different takes from the guest contributors on the same occurrences.
The funniest part, and why I take a away a point, is how bad some of the poetry is. Nikki can obviously write and he’s intelligent. Some of the lyrics/ poems that are read out of the diary are just not good. I can’t tell if he’s trying to show us that he was so twisted that he couldn’t write, or if he thinks the material is intriguing while he captures his moods in a year of hell.
Side note-I found it odd that he had such bad vibes for Coverdale but wants to get Come Taste the Band. Coverdale and Bolin wrote Dealer, which has a poem that Tommy cameo sings that is perfect for this book.
“In the beginning all you wanted, was the calm before the storm, if the bluebird plays the eagle, he finds his song will turn to stone”. Right up Nikki’s alley!
Anyway, couldn’t stop listening, this book gives hope to those affected by substance abuse. Dan Eden - Santa Barbara

[Tony · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have read this book before and was in awe of its power. That being said I am so glad I also listened to it. Hearing Nikki Sixx tell it from his mouth is one of the most powerful things over ever experienced. It makes you feel every emotion. I cried multiple times during this book. The most at the end as tears of joy for the life he has cultivated for himself and his family. He may have died in 1987, but the phoenix always rises from the ashes.

[M. Shane Pruett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't sure what to expect but this book delivered. I'm fascinated by the real lives of popular figures and a heavy metal rockstar getting real about the excess, the pain, the uncertainty of his life and future kept me coming back. I loved that he provided an update in the new edition and a postscript to let us know about life since. Worth the read. There's a lot of wisdom here among the debauchery.

[Loree Bynum · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved that Nikki narrated his story. My favorite part was his long update at the end...he is truly amazing...I’m really anxious to look up his photography now too!

[Sharon Reatherford · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome book ! God bless you and thank you for your honesty and help to the world

[r · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Another stinker I’m ashamed to admit I bought. But we were locked down. What was I supposed to do? He is exploiting his addiction for book sales. Classy.

[jonas · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mike Tyson smokes weed everyday like me ,good book !!

[Ross Taylor · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a crazy year he had. I'm glad he was able to get it together and start trusting in God!

[Lynne Chaloux · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pretty fascinating. Nice to see someone crawl their way out of that soul-sucking and deadly lifestyle.

[Colt LeBlanc · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Easy to listen to, and overall a really good story

[Julie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Phenomenal!
Such an extraordinary ride through the mind of an addict.
Thank you, Mr. Sixx for welcoming us into such a personal, raw time of your life.

[fearshop · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Crazier than I ever imagined it would be. Painfully honest.

[Vanessa Benefield · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautiful journey of disaster and hope. I cried and laughed. What a ride! Must listen/read for anyone who is an addict or a recovering addict.

[cziering-146878 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Diary of a junkie... it got a bit repetitive but was still pretty interesting.

[angelreadsthings · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was very easy to get into. Even though I haven't been through nearly as much as Nikki Sixx, it was very easy to relate to him especially during his more broken moments.

[aeceyton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

a quick read. Brave and honest, although hard to recommend

[kristinah-2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book and would love to read anything else Nikki Sixx writes. I would recommend this book to others!

[jenn88-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Being a lover of memoirs and Motley Crue I had to read this and I was not disappointed!

There are diary entries written by Nikki Sixx during 1986-87 as well comments from people who knew him then. Motley Crue was big during that time so it's interesting to have a behind the scenes look at how he felt about being a rock star.

[justablondemoment · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome book. While I was never a huge Motely Crew fan, they were very big among my generation. The stories and headlines circulating about there music and behavior were legend. Now I know that what was said about them individually and as a group are true. WOW is all I can say...read it...you'll be stunned to.

[rockstarninja_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Motley Crue and I LOVE Nikki Sixx . . .I found the book to be both hilarious at times (Vanity is a wack-a-doodle) and terribly sad. It takes guts to not only tell your story, but to do it in such a way that people can really feel what was happening to you at that time . . . If you can read the book while listening to the album, depending on the timing it gets eerie at times.