“Anyone who has lived through it, or those who are now living through it, knows that caring about an addict is as complex and fraught and debilitating as addiction itself. At my worst, I even resented Nic because an addict, at least when high, has a momentary respite from his suffering. There is no similar relief for parents or children or husbands or wives or others who love them.”
“Even now, I know that there’s no single right answer, nor even a clear road map, for families of the addicted. However, in our story, I hope that there may be some solace, some guidance, and, if nothing else, some company. I also hope that people can catch a glimpse of something that seems impossible during many stages of a loved one’s addiction. Nietzsche is often quoted for having said, ‘That which does not kill us makes us stronger.’ This is absolutely true for family members of an addict. Not only am I still standing, but I know more and feel more than I once thought was possible. ”
These words are from a book written by a father whose son struggled with addiction. Both father and son, David and Nic Sheff, have recently released memoirs about what it was like to live through Nic’s addiction and how it affected their family. David’s book is called Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Meth Addiction and Nic’s is Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines.
The Sheff’s were recently on NPR talking about their memoirs and how Nic’s addiction affected his family. They were also on the Today show and featured in a recent New York Times article. It was also announced that David Sheff will be a guest blogger on the Partnership for a Drug-Free America‘s parent-to-parent blog, Decoder.
Read, Listen, Watch More
From NPR: Memoirs of Meth Addiction from a Father and a Son
From the Today show: Father, son write about addiction in own books
From the New York Times: A Twice-Told Tale of Addiction: By Father, by Son
From this blog: Read more about how addiction affects friends and family members
Resources, information for friends and family members
Decoder, a parent-to parent blog
TimetoTalk.org, from the Partnership for a Drug-Free America
In Maine
211 Maine, health and human service information and resources
21 Reasons to prevent underage drinking
Crossroads for Women’s (Portland, ME) services for those affected by a loved one’s addiction
MaineParents.net, resources to help reduce underage alcohol use
Technorati Tags: David Sheff, Nic Sheff, meth, addiction, memoirs, family, NPR, Today, New York Times
