(from book description) Climbing the Ladder with Gabriel demonstrates the power of photography and poetry to render the experience of methamphetamine addiction and recovery through the heart of an interdisciplinary research methodology. Instructors, students, recovering addicts, and prevention/recovery advocates will find this a valuable resource. There are many ways to “know the world”. The authors of this remarkable text have adopted an eclectic mix of methodologies from the arts and sciences to portray the experience of methamphetamine addiction. While it may never be possible to fully “know” another’s experience, this book provides readers with one of the most intimate portraits of a methamphetamine addict ever assembled. The reader will be touched by the juxtaposition of everyday joy and the hopelessness and regret so poignantly portrayed by these authors. The book is also hopeful, documenting that, even in the throes of terrible addiction, unique humanness survives and recovery is always possible. – John M. Roll, Professor and Associate Dean, College of Nursing. Director, Program of Excellence in the Addictions, Washington State University.