Smashed

The narrative explores the journey of Koren Zailckas, who, like many young women, initially uses alcohol as a means to gain confidence and escape judgment. Her experiences begin with a fateful sip at fourteen, leading to increasingly dangerous drinking habits throughout high school and college. Zailckas reflects on moments of self-destruction, including a stomach pumping and a troubling awakening at twenty-two. This gripping memoir candidly addresses the impact of alcohol on her life, culminating in a powerful realization about the need to stop drinking.