A Vision of Hope
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley January 23, 2026
Author Andrew Drasen
Distributor: Amazon
ISBN: 979-8999641502
Publisher: A Vision of Hope Media
Release Date: 2 December 2025
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avisionofhopemedia
X formally Twitter:
A Story of Redemption and Purpose
Powerful, factual and deeply poignant A Vision of Hope from Andrew Dasen delivers without flinching the world that is inhabited by those who find themselves addicted to some form of drug and the long-term effect that has not only on their lives but those of their families.
Becoming addicted to OxyContin at the age of 15 years, he began the slow but steady slide into full blown addiction. He commences his story as an inmate in the Milwaukee Secure Detention facility where he is in the process of carrying out a residential drug and alcohol program. It is not the first time, and it will certainly not be the last.
In this deeply personal memoir, he shares the highs and lows of addiction, the tragedy of a society that still has no clear concept of how to deal with addiction. The psychology of the thought process which leads the ‘reformed addict’ into using again is fascinating reading.
Each vignette shared is a clear insight into the life of a drug user and dealer who is well aware of the effect it has on his family, but is unable to stop, to change to ‘reform’ no matter how hard he tries.
Even though Andrew Drasen lives in Milwaukee and is writing about the penal system there, the basic structure of the story, of his life, is the same or similar for those who live in the very murky world of drugs, no matter where they live.
Drasen says in the Preface this was not a book that was meant to be published! But it is and it needed to be. Written in Prison with a heavy heart he finally decided to write his story, something he and his mother had discussed; ‘one truth, two different perspectives’.
Since he was released for the last time, he has changed his life, lost his finance to suicide, held firm to remaining clean and reaches out with a strong belief and desire to help those travelling the same or similar pathway to his. A Vision of Hope is more than just one man’s story it is a textbook on life, change, love, hope and belief.
For those on the outside looking in A Vison of Hope is a masterclass in addiction and addiction tendency told as it is, no holds barred and offers a clear insight into the world which so many fail to understand. It should be a must read for anyone in any occupation that works with those suffering mental health and addition issues.