A B.R.A.G. medallion winner and Independent Author's Network finalist for book of the year, “Down the Rabbit Hole: A Memoir of Abuse, Addiction and Recovery” chronicles the life of Kate Russell as she journeys from abused child of alcoholics, to recovering addict. Exploring the triggered state, a.k.a. “rabbit-holing,” Kate details how escaping into her mind went from a coping mechanism to a self-destructive pattern of negative thinking. Told in short story format, “Down the Rabbit Hole” is 62 chapters of true stories which detail how Kate survived her abusive parents, started to become them, then chose recovery and broke the cycle. Heartbreaking, darkly humorous and inspirational, “Down the Rabbit Hole” is a must read for child abuse survivors, addicts, or anyone who is interested in exploring how broken minds work. "Impossible to put down. Both drily funny and yet often terrifying, this is a raw, unflinching account of a chaotic and abusive childhood overcome by inner strength and an enduring sense of humor." ~ Allie Livezey Maynard "Brava. This is your masterwork. You have it all." ~ Diane L. Scheiner Ph.D., Clinical Neuropsychologist "The book is amazing. If I could skip work and read it all night I would." ~ S. Duvall This book is brilliant!! I could not put this book down. I love to read memoirs and the thing I loved so much about this book was the humor that guided you through this young girls tumultuous life. The drive in this little girl to survive this horrible childhood against all odds is astounding. She meets you with this dry sense of humor that I myself identified with so much. This book was so honest and so raw. The author really painted this story like a canvas with vibrant feelings and pictures. It is a book about strength, love, and forgiveness. ~ Shawnda Duvall Dang... The raw honesty Kate writes with is addictive in itself! I love the vivid picture she paints of a tortured childhood, struggling relationship with her mom and addiction. Down the Rabbit Hole is a "cant put it down" read. Can't wait for what Kate drums up next! ~ Kristen Battersby In what I can best describe as a very conversational tone (as if you're sitting across a table at your local coffee shop at 2:00 am), Kate Russell has not so much described events as she has shared vignettes. I am a visual thinker and reading this book was like watching scenes from a movie, so vividly were the conversations and incidents detailed. I too am in recovery and I related so much to what Kate had to say. Having grown up in a household with a rageaholic father, there were definitely quite a few cringe-worthy passages here, some of which even caused me to put the book down and go do something else for a bit. Do not, however, take any of this to mean that the tales with which Kate regales us are all downers. I laughed out loud so many times, shaking my head and thinking "yep, I get it" that I did not want the book to end. Truly. If you're recovering (from anything), you know what that's like. Dark humor protects us from taking our %$# too seriously. This is one of the more enjoyable books about alcoholism I have read, if only because the author writes with such humor and grace. It was heartwarming for me personally because it appears her program is solid, her perspective healthy, and her outlook joyous. Good for you Kate! ~ Ronald Neef I couldn't put this book down. Kate's journey from her childhood of living in an abusive household to her own battle with addiction was inspiring. Every step of the way I was hoping and rooting for Kate to overcome all the obstacles that were put in her way. Working in the child protection field I have seen similar cases and feel this family slipped through the cracks. ~ Carissa Durant God guided my hand in writing this book. It were as if He wrote this story through me. Because it needs to be heard that one can come out of a dark, terrible childhood with a sense of humor, unique perspective and hope. Once you've been through hell, you are more equip to handle whatever life throws at you without being thrown by it. You are stronger. You are a fighter. A survivor. Perspective is everything, and if we can look at unfortunate situations from a spiritually enlightened place, we can overcome anything. Kate, born to abusive, drug addicted parents, identifies an inner God voice when she is very young. This voice, and the support of her grandmother, helps her overcome her circumstances instead of falling victim to them. However, as she grows up she finds that the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, and she discovers that she is an addict herself. Deciding not to go down the path her parents went, she rises above her circumstances again and chooses the path of recovery. Now 8 years sober she shares how faith helped her continue to take positive action and avoid victimization every step of the way. Kate, born to abusive, drug addicted parents, identifies a wry inner-God voice when she is