Trauma and Ecstasy is a brutal and open account about the author’s struggle with repressed trauma. Through many sessions of MDMA and psilocybin with a caring and thoughtful guide, Alex remembers that he had been repeatedly raped and brutalized by his childhood piano teacher and later by the piano teacher and an associate. This is a raw account of repeated trauma and the author is to be commended for his candor and willingness to speak out.

Had I not just read a book about new modalities for treating depression written by my own former therapist, I might have scoffed at Alex’s chosen mode of treatment. However, the book describes that these medicines may well be on the forefront of treating trauma.

Mr. Alexander starts the book with his journey through modern medicine and physical therapy as well as conventional talk therapy as he tries to figure out some serious issues with his pelvis, a journey that apparently takes many years. Interspersed in the book are look-backs at his childhood and his later reflections that he was never good enough for his
parents who, in addition to Alex, had another son who has autism as well as a daughter. All of these feelings as well as his reliving of the repeated rapes are revealed during his process with unconventional treatment.

He also beautifully describes his relationship with his mother which deepens over time as they are able to reach deeper within themselves and share feelings.

Many times, books that detail personal trauma are not well written and seem to be something the author needs to write for themselves but are not necessarily meant for the general public. The opposite is true of Trauma and Ecstasy. Mr. Alexander writes beautifully and I am grateful that he shares his journey with the reader.

Highly recommended.

I received this book as an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.