From the outside looking in, one would assume that Cameron Douglas, the oldest son of Academy-Award winning actor Michael Douglas and the grandson of the even more legendary Kirk Douglas had it all—a pedigree birth that comes with opportunities galore, wealth, health, and looks. But it was not that simple, apparently.

Cameron Douglas spent nearly 8 years in lock-up—a result of a crime spree fueled by drug abuse. How could a promising young man from an internationally famous and successful acting family end up being arrested in a seedy NY hotel for possession of crystal meth?

Douglas’ memoir comes out on Tuesday, October 22. I’m sure Long Way Home is a harrowing read into why things go bad for someone who has it so good.

In an interview last month, Cameron Douglas, now 40, clearly stated that "he did not expect anyone’s sympathy for squandering his privileged upbringing.”

The budding author has the hope that sharing his experiences with raw honesty will, at the least, deter another person from heading down the same path of destruction.

Douglas was eaten up by addictions to heroin and liquid cocaine. He suffered the stress and indignities of forcible interventions that were unsuccessful. In addition, he tangoed with death and eventually became a street dealer to support his habit when the money dried up.

The first part of the book deals with his family history and events that led up to his fall. But the second part details his arrest, conviction, and incarceration. It is a grueling account of stays in multiple federal penitentiaries and the horror of nearly 2 years in solitary confinement.

Both Diandra and Michael Douglas, the author's parents who divorced in 2000, understood the need for their son to write about his experiences to help purge his soul—as embarrassing or uncomfortable as it might be for the family.

Cameron Douglas has praised his parents for giving their blessing to the book: “Allowing me to tell my story, which inevitably is connected to my family, it’s a very selfless act,” he said. “It’s like the ultimate way of saying I love you.”

The book goes into the reasons why Michael and Diandra Douglas divorced -- Michael's infidelity and abuse of alcohol that eventually landed him in alcohol and sex addiction treatment centers. Diandra Douglas, a documentary filmmaker, was treated for addiction as well. And Cameron Douglas sadly lost his half-brother, Eric, to an accidental drug overdose. It's said that addiction is a "family disease." It certainly seems to have a genetic component. It also creates universal distress for any family members who are dealing with an addict.

Today, Cameron Douglas is in a much better place. He is living with his girlfriend and young daughter while he pursues acting and script writing. He "owns" his addiction, which is what 12-step programs advocate to help addicts overcome their demons. 

If the book serves as a deterrent to even one person, Cameron Douglas's trials were not completely in vain.