About the Book
Assumed Armed and Dangerous
Assumed Armed and Dangerous is Paul Kapetanakis’s unflinching memoir of descent and redemption, dedicated “to all the users, addicts, alcoholics, codependents, their loved ones, and families.” Growing up in 1960s Boston, Kapetanakis transforms from an enterprising boy into “Mad Dog”—a violent motorcycle gang member, heroin addict, and convicted felon. The narrative traces his journey through drug-fueled crime, prison brutality, and ultimately to Project Discovery, a confrontational rehabilitation program that breaks down his emotional walls.
Co-written with Teresa Brandt, the book documents Kapetanakis’s struggle to shed his criminal identity and rebuild his life. A grim epilogue lists the fates of those who didn’t escape addiction—most dead or imprisoned—underscoring the stakes of his hard-won recovery.
What's Inside the Book
A Life Of Crime And Addiction
Kapetanakis chronicles his harrowing transformation from a Boston boy into “Mad Dog,” a violent motorcycle gang member and heroin addict. He details brutal street fights, drug deals gone wrong, prison rape, and solitary confinement. The narrative pulls no punches, depicting the savage code of gang loyalty and the desperation of addiction that drove him to arson, assault, and near-death experiences.
The Road To Recovery
The second half follows Kapetanakis’s grueling rehabilitation at Project Discovery, a confrontational halfway house. Through humiliation rituals, marathon therapy sessions, and unwavering staff support, his emotional walls finally crumble. The book culminates in his graduation, a powerful testament to transformation, while a stark epilogue reveals the tragic fates of those who couldn’t escape the cycle of addiction.