Roberto Saviano: ‘I Thought About Committing Suicide, I Can’t Live Without Drugs’

Roberto Saviano, the author of the iconic book ‘Gomorrah’—which documents his infiltration into various sectors controlled or influenced by the criminal organization Camorra—continues to provoke strong emotions. Beyond his literary work, Saviano has made headlines with personal revelations, stating, “I thought about committing suicide. It’s impossible for me to live without medication, and I suffer from panic attacks.” During an interview with Corriere della Sera, Saviano expressed feelings of regret, saying, “I have the sense that I’ve done everything wrong. I felt this a few days ago at my aunt Silvana’s funeral, who was like a second mother to me. No one came. My family, which lived in the South, in the city of Caserta, were forced to move to Northern Italy because of me. They were uprooted.” Saviano also addressed criticism regarding his portrayal of Naples, arguing, “Those who accuse me of tarnishing Naples should reflect: if I tarnished it, why do people from all over Italy want to visit? I turned on a spotlight, illuminating Naples. With light, change is possible. But this comes at a high cost.” In the same interview, Saviano highlighted his feelings of isolation, noting, “In the past, attacks against a writer could draw massive attention. Today, in Erdogan’s Turkey, a writer named Ahmet Altan was sentenced to life imprisonment, yet there is little interest in his novels.” The renowned Italian author, a symbol in the fight against organized crime, revealed that what he misses most is freedom of movement, impacting all his personal and romantic relationships. He concluded by sharing dreams of a different future, including obtaining a truck driving license, inspired by Italian writer Erri De Luca.