Imagine being the parent of an exceptional young person, and then suddenly watching that person’s life spin out of control as the result of an addiction to a powerful substance. Perhaps your imagination doesn’t have to work too hard; perhaps that is exactly your situation right now. Or perhaps you are the addict - in any life stage or situation - and are struggling to return to a sense of normalcy but beginning to feel hopeless because of the strength of the addiction or your frequent relapses.

Two recently published books share the story of one family’s struggle with the son’s addiction to methamphetamine. These works may bring you comfort in knowing that you are not alone, and that addiction can be difficult to overcome. They may also make the urgency of seeking help for your (or your loved one’s) addiction all the more real. Please be aware that the summaries below may reveal plot details.

Beautiful Boy by David Sheff

David Sheff’s candid presentation of his family’s situation is a testament to the fact that addiction can plague anyone from any background. In this memoir, David, a prominent journalist, tells the story of his son Nic’s struggles with addiction as well as the many emotions that the family experiences as a result of Nic’s dependence on drugs. After experimenting with substances from as young as age 11, Nic’s life changed dramatically for the worse after trying methamphetamine around age 17. From a charming, athletic young person to a lying, stealing addict, Nic spiraled down quickly. When he could no longer deny that his son had a problem, David began to question his effectiveness as a parent, sought help from every source he could think of, and, eventually, entered therapy himself after his own health deteriorated to the point of suffering a brain hemorrhage. Over the next few years, Nic went through rehab five times. Throughout the book, you can sense the family’s pain as David encourages others in their situation to speak openly about their problems in order to be able to work together toward successfully resolving them.

Tweak by Nic Sheff

Written from the perspective of Nic Sheff, David Sheff’s son, Tweak is an honest, straightforward tale of Nic’s experiences as an addict. Throughout his adolescence, Nic had experimented with alcohol, ecstasy, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine. Some of the moments in the book are dark and disturbing, but always completely candid; we understand his emotions of shame, fear, anger, and hopelessness. We learn about how his addiction affected him both mentally and physically, and follow him through his relapse experiences. Nic admits to stealing money from his family to fund addiction as well as to prostituting himself for money. We also watch Nic struggle in relationships with his family, friends, and others in his life.

Get Help Today

David and Nic Sheff have raised awareness of the widespread problem of addiction and the devastation that it can cause in families. If you find yourself in either David or Nic’s situation, we encourage you to call eDrugRehab today. Our professional interventionists will listen to your unique situation with profound understanding and compassion, and help you determine the next best step for you. No one should have to fight addiction alone. Visit the contact us page for more information.