Try free for 30 days

  • Woman of Substances

  • The savage seduction of drugs and alcohol, and the art of walking away
  • By: Jenny Valentish
  • Narrated by: Imogen Wilde
  • Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (82 ratings)

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
Woman of Substances cover art

Woman of Substances

By: Jenny Valentish
Narrated by: Imogen Wilde
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $16.33

Buy Now for $16.33

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

Journalist Jenny Valentish investigates the female experience of drugs and alcohol, using her own story to light the way.

Mining the expertise of leading researchers, she explores the early predictors of addiction, such as childhood trauma and temperament, and teenage impulsivity.

Drawing on neuroscience, she explains why other self-destructive behaviours - such as eating disorders and high-risk sex - are interchangeable with substance use. Valentish follows the pathways that women take into addiction - and out again. Woman of Substances is a rigorous and brutally honest listen.

©2017 Jenny Valentish (P)2017 W. F. Howes Ltd

What listeners say about Woman of Substances

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    69
  • 4 Stars
    8
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    69
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    62
  • 4 Stars
    10
  • 3 Stars
    4
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Incredibly touching

As a woman who has substance abuse problems and also exists amongst the established drug policy and harm reduction community I have often struggled with my own narrative. Identity, guilt and false introspection have been my demons. Valentish’s narrative is so closely intertwined with my own- a need for validation as a woman in the music scene, self and outsider influenced victimisation and a lust for adventure and drug induced thrill seeking, it was comforting to hear someone untangle these inner issues I hold. The book is a mix of harm reductionist theory and self reflexive introspection of Valentish delivered warmly by the comforting voice of Imogen Wilde. To anyone (regardless of gender or history) interested in narratives of substance dependence this is a must read. Thanks Jenny.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Raw, honest and supportive

This is not a preachy book but rather a fascinating insight into one woman's own battles combined with extensive research into the science of addiction.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Informative & entertaining

This book is well researched, relevant & helpful for anyone looking to explore issues around addiction, particularly alcohol. It felt gritty, real & relatable.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!!!!

Loved how she has used her story to make the psychology and the science more interesting. Started getting anxious myself at the thought of finishing it. Probably the first book I will ever listen to twice!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Highly recommend this well researched and narrated book

Even though I don’t have an addictive personality I found I could relate to a great deal of the issues this book covers. I was surprised and appalled,fascinated and informed...very well written and researched. I loved the narrator ( and will be seeking out more books she has narrated) she made it fun and interesting and humorous to listed too even admits the sometimes heavy issues. informative read... highly recommend it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

intriguing Honesty

Wow

Thank you for sharing your story.

I found it extremely interesting & informative.

I can appreciate the ways of looking at different addictions/scenarios...with so many perspectives & underlying situations from each person's perspective.

As you & many have said you only truly quit if you're ready....


Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Entertaining and educational

Loved this book. So easy to follow and a new approach to these issues that are usually hard to digest.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it

Interesting bio woven into narrative about women and substances and different paths to recovery. I finished it quickly because it was so easy to listen to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Tough and honest

This is difficult to read in places, because it's honest. I got a lot out of it and thank the author for not pretty I g up a difficult story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Resonating

This book has taken me up and down on a rollercoaster as I recall my own experiences. It tapped at issues I’d forgotten (awful as they may be) and has given me a feeling of “I’m not the only one” with my own alcohol issues.
I may have the strength to speak about “things” now, however small country towns and AA are not always compatible! I was glad to hear of other options.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.