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Beautiful Boy
Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction | David Sheff
The story of one teenager's descent into methamphetamine addiction is told from his father's point of view, describing how a varsity athlete and honor student became addicted to the dangerous drug and its impact on his family.
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Kris10H
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Pickpick

Book #86
4/5
This memoir offers an in-depth account of a father's experience with his son's addiction. Sheff did a fantastic job of combining and balancing personal experience with statistical and objective research about drugs, parenting, interventions, and recovery, to name a few.

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emmalau-lau
Pickpick

This book shows a fascinating perspective of addiction through a fathers eyes. It‘s a really good read for anyone looking to get a better perspective of addiction and how it affects the people living around loved one who struggle with it.

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readingjedi
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Pickpick

A tough read. As a parent, it has an extra, particularly terrifying aspect - this awful thing happening to a 'good' boy from a privileged background suggests no child is safe - MY child isn't safe! - from this nefarious plague. I mean, there's so much you can do to prevent it from happening, but still, you can't prevent it from happening! The father's helplessness, despair & desperation are heartbreaking, his unending hope, an inspiration.

73 likes1 stack add
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readingjedi
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Late night start for this one.

ncsufoxes I read this one years ago, good but so sad. His son‘s book, Tweak, is a great companion piece. It‘s a tough read, especially when he describes what‘s going on with him & the drugs he‘s doing. 1y
73 likes1 comment
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TheRiehlDeal
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#ManicMonday
#LetterB
Thanks for the tag @CBee !

📘 Tagged! This was a heartbreaking memoir of the author trying to deal with the reality that his son is addicted to meth and that he may never get off the addiction.
✍️ Max Brooks. I have World War Z and Devolution on my TBR and I‘m eager to read them.
🎥 The Black Phone 📺 Breaking Bad
🎸 Breaking Benjamin
🎵 Breaking the Habit by Linkin Park

CBee Beautiful Boy was a powerful book ♥️ Have you read Tweak, by his son Nic? Thanks for playing! 2y
TheRiehlDeal @CBee No, I haven‘t. I‘ll have to add it to my TBR. 2y
CBee @TheRiehlDeal it isn‘t an easy book to read either 😞 2y
20 likes3 comments
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JenReadsAlot
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19 likes1 comment
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S3V3N
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Pickpick

Touching.

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Eggs
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Pickpick

#AboutAddiction #BookMoods @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

True story-heartbreaking 💔

#MeYou #BigJuneReadathon @Clwojick
Both Sheff and his son Nic wrote books about Nic‘s addiction

Clwojick Stacking! This one sounds good! 2y
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Coleen
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Pickpick

This is a heartbreaking story in its own right, but reading as a parent, especially as the parent of a teen, it is even more heart wrenching. As difficult as this was to read, it was also very compelling and well-written. I also watched the movie adaptation starring Steve Carell and Timothee Chalamet, which was one of the better book adaptations I‘ve seen lately.

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nitalibrarian
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I put up a new display today. This time it's books that may cause tears. The sign says Caution: May cause tears. Proceed with tissues. The other side is more fiction.

Bookzombie ❤️ 2y
26 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Eggs
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One of the best #addiction true stories I‘ve read. 💔

#conflictedworlds @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

AmyG Heartbreaking. 3y
55 likes1 stack add3 comments
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TheBoyOnFire
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guidosophia
Pickpick

this one took me a while to read bc it‘s so hard to read about all the suffering and struggles. but it also gives me hope and a new perspective. parents should read this. “i know what it is i feel. everything”

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Eggs
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Megabooks
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I actually enjoyed the movie on Amazon. That‘s rare!

1. I don‘t feel guilty, but I love all things 90 Day Fiancé!!
2. That my dad continues to make progress in rehab after his stroke!

Thanks for the tag @Sharpeipup ?

#thankfulThursday @Cosmos_Moon

Cosmos_Moon Wishing the best for your dad and continued recovery 🥰 4y
Megabooks @Cosmos_Moon thank you!! 4y
mklong LOL I love 90 Day Fiancé too! I‘m especially loving Pillow Talk these days. 4y
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Megabooks @mklong same! Pillow Talk is awesome!! 4y
BarbaraTheBibliophage So glad to see the good news about your dad! 💕 4y
Megabooks @BarbaraTheBibliophage thank you! We‘re getting the guest room ready for him, but we think he‘ll be there until September if he continues to progress as he has. 4y
69 likes6 comments
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Blaire
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Pickpick

#addictionstory told from the parent‘s point of view. Discusses the love, guilt, grief, and fear a parent experiences watching their child suffer from a disease like addiction - the struggle to understand the volitional component - and its impact on the entire family. Nic gets addicted to meth as a teen and is in and out of rehab. Good discussion of disease of addiction and the impact it has on an entire family. #booked2019

Cinfhen Beautiful review ♥️ 4y
Blaire @cinfhen thank you! 4y
EKonrad Have you read his son‘s book? It‘s so interesting to read things from his perspective too. 4y
Blaire @EKonrad I haven‘t. Didn‘t know he had written one until after I started this one. May have to check it out. 4y
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amandafulwider
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“close your eyes
have no fears
the monster is gone
he‘s on the run
and your daddy‘s here”
~
When Nic was growing up, I thought I would be content with whatever choices he made in his life... now I live with the knowledge that, never mind the most modest definition of a normal or healthy life, my son may not make it to twenty-one..

carliethompson that quote is very powerful, this book seems like a good read! 4y
1 like1 comment
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CindyRene
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Pickpick

My heart hurt for this dad who goes through this valley of shadows without the hope of a loving Savior. We have a God who may not always take us out of the storm, but He WILL ALWAYS walk through it with us. I held out well into the afterward, hoping to see if dad or son would find &accept the God they said they didn't believe was there. I can't imagine walking the road this family walked. But walking it without Jesus would truly be unfathomable :(

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CindyRene
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"Love cannot exist for long without the dimension of Justice."

There is truth here... God himself has two equal sides, love and justice.
A God who has only Justice would be completely vengeful -and we would all be guilty.
A God who is only loving would have to be completely accepting of everything thus compromising His Holiness by allowing all sin into His presence.

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CindyRene
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"Nic has been gone for six days, and my desperation had built to a frenzy. I have never experienced grief like this."

This book is heart breaking. So many families- maybe all of our families by now have felt the effects of this battle ??

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OriginalCyn620
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Pickpick

A heartbreaking look at what addiction does not only to the addict but to their family as well. A tough but important read. #booked2019 #bookaboutaddiction

CaseyLea I loved this one too, even though it was an emotional read - beautifully written, I thought 4y
Cinfhen I‘ve seen so many glowing reviews for this memoir! Have u seen the film??? 4y
OriginalCyn620 @Cinfhen I have not seen the movie and now I don‘t know if I can. The book was rough enough! 4y
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TheShaggyShepherd @OriginalCyn620 I agree. I don‘t think I could watch that movie. 4y
katlyn447 I had the opportunity to hear Nic speak earlier this year about his addiction and the books it inspired. Definitely a tough story to hear, but it's inspiring to see how this family has coped and come out the other side. 4y
OriginalCyn620 @katlyn447 That‘s amazing! I bet he‘s a wonderful speaker. 4y
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OriginalCyn620
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While my daughter is at math tutoring, I‘m starting this one for #booked2019.

JenReadsAlot Good book 4y
Cinfhen I‘ve heard this book is really powerful and #TissuesRequired 4y
marleed And it‘s always good to wait in great boots! 4y
OriginalCyn620 So true @marleed! So true. 😁 4y
41 likes4 comments
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Jovy
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Pickpick

Raw and compelling view on addiction. Made me start an open dialogue with my kids. Worth the read for every parent!

#Booked2019 #bookaboutaddiction
#LitsyAtoZ letter B
#MMDChallenge A Book Outside Your (Genre) Comfort Zone

Cinfhen Ive heard this is a really painful read 5y
CaseyLea I loved this book too! I‘m reading another very thought provoking read about addiction atm - Lit by Mary Karr. I recommend it 😊 5y
Jovy @CaseyLea Oh good to know! Will check it out thanks 😀 5y
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CaseyLea @Jovy you‘re welcome! 😊 5y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Glad it opened up discussion. The best books do, right? 5y
Jovy @BarbaraTheBibliophage Yes they do! 👍🏼 5y
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Ephemera
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Pickpick

I haven‘t seen the movie that was based on this book and after reading the book, I‘m not sure I really want to. Written by a father whose oldest son becomes addicted to crystal meth, it is harrowing to read. It captures very convincingly the stresses that assail a family when addiction occurs. Nic, the addict, is smart and creative and has a bright future in front of him until he discovers meth. Well-written, but chilling to read.

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Barrettck
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My first #friyayintro !

1- Just started this one! A father‘s journey through his son‘s addiction.
2- Yes! Going to see the Jonas Brothers on Saturday! 🎶
3- Cookies & cream mixed with anything peanut butter
4- I used to play the piano
5- 🤘🏼

xxjenadanxx Omgosh I'm so jealous over the JoBros!! Have the best time! 5y
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Sporto
Pickpick

Heartfelt

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TheRiehlDeal
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Pickpick

This book was full of emotions. Eye opening what addiction does to a family.

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IamIamIam
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Pickpick

Dear Addicts,
Thank you for waking up and choosing sobriety each day.
Dear Parents,
Thank you for your unconditional love and for knowing when to draw the lines.

Talk to your kids early and often about drugs, especially in this day and age where bullying takes center stage rather than the destructive force of accessible drugs.
#Booked2019 #bookaboutaddiction @cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

Cinfhen Thank you!! 5y
Cinfhen We need reminders ❤️ 5y
IamIamIam @Cinfhen ?? "Keep coming back 'cause it works if you work it, so work it." My Ala-Teen years came back hard while listening to this! #LoveYouMeanIt 5y
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IamIamIam
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Since all my other books for #Booked2019 #Summer are in print and all lined up and I need a new audiobook, I decided to skip ahead to #Autumn and start this #bookaboutaddiction. I'm not sure this will be suitable for driving though... I'm thinking immediate waterworks...

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TheRiehlDeal
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Currently reading. Synopsis sounds interesting.

kricheal So good 5y
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Eggs
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A #wonderfulchild whose addiction begins to destroy his life 💔

#jazzyjune

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MeganLindell
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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ • A raw and heartbreaking look at addiction and its impact on the user and everyone around them. Written from a father‘s perspective, this book humanizes addiction in a way I haven‘t experienced before.

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quietlycuriouskate
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I may have raised a monster!
Miss K is a merciless breaker of book spines. She also casually dog-ears pages.
She says she's enjoying this book but the author/father is rather defensive.

squirrelbrain Gorgeous cushion! And a spine- breaking monster is much better than a non-reading monster! 😁 5y
batsy I agree—that cushion is all kinds of awesome. 5y
56 likes2 comments
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Kathrin
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Pickpick

Sooo... I was a little ambivalent about this book for most of it, but in the end it did win me over because of the painfully honest narration.

DebbieGrillo The movie was good. 5y
Kathrin @DebbieGrillo I am not much of a movie person... but I can imagine this making a heartbreaking movie. 5y
11 likes2 comments
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gradcat
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#marchintothe70s

(Day 28 - #CarryOnMyWaywardSon)

*This song by Kansas made me thing think of the struggle David Sheff and his son, Nic, went through with Nic‘s problems with addiction. The tagged book was made into a movie, starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet. Four more books were written by father and son which deal with the same or similar topics. Nic was definitely a wayward son, but he managed to go home again in the end.

Cinfhen I‘ve heard book & movie are both really beautifully done ❤️ 5y
gradcat @Cinfhen I haven‘t seen the movie, but Chalamet was up for so many awards (though I don‘t think he won many of them, he had plenty of nominations), so I think it was probably very well done. And I hope you have a wonderful day! 😉 5y
58 likes2 comments
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WellReadCatLady
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Heartbreaking story from a father of a meth addict. The son also wrote a book about his addiction. Real eye opener.

Gaylagal2 Loved this book❤️ 5y
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echalpan
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Pickpick

I was on the fence with this book when I started (partly due to the narrator‘s voices and partly because I felt David was attempting to rationalize and defend his parenting). I‘m glad I stuck with this book, because, whoa, it was complex, emotional, and honest. It‘s a raw account of how addiction affects an entire family with some sobering research woven in.

IamIamIam The narrator also read The Great Gatsby and it kept throwing me off so much! 5y
echalpan @IamIamIam I read that book too long ago, but from what I can remember about it, I can totally imagine the narrator throwing me off with that one too! 😆 5y
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Deborah42
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Pickpick

A father‘s memoir of his son‘s descent into meth addiction and the rollercoaster of treatment and relapse.

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whatsthEStorey
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Pickpick

Watched the movie, read the book, both are insightful and painful, with some good facts about addiction thrown in. David Sheff spends years wrestling with his son‘s meth addiction and provides a rarely written about perspective as the father of an addict. I‘m not a parent, but have had close relationships affected by addiction and found this relatable. One word of caution: the audio is NOT good. If you‘re considering it, go for the print!

PrezBookster I thought the same thing! I didn‘t like the narrator at all 5y
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sammisho
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Pickpick

First of all, this book is awful on audio. The narrator is just the worst. Aside from that distraction, I found this a really touching, poignant story. As a parent, my heart breaks for this family. This is a family I would consider priviledged, they were able to send their child to college, to study aboard and to rehab multiple times to treat his addiction. And they still were ravaged by addiction. Shows that substance can really hit anyone.

sammisho #newyearwhodis @monalyisha @veehabib #pop18#popsugarreadingchallenge Book with two word title 5y
veebib I really like this book but I think what saddened me the most about it, is the fact that unlike this family most wouldn't be able to send their child to rehab that many times, because no matter how much they wanted to help no everyone has that kind of money or insurance. 5y
sammisho @veehabib I had the same thought and it is really frustrating. I am so glad Nic had those opprotunities, but it is a really unique situation. Also, I found David enabk 5y
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sammisho *enabling. 5y
8little_paws Lol i'm listening to this book on audio right now and completely agree about the narration. Way too many goofy voices and acting. 5y
whatsthEStorey I just finished listening to this on audio and agree, the narration is NOT good. If you can‘t mimic a child‘s or woman‘s voice, that‘s okay-but don‘t try! 5y
PrezBookster I thought the same of the audio!! 5y
alisahar Just started the audiobook and have to agree 🙉 5y
50 likes8 comments
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LoverofLit
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I watched this movie this weekend and sobbed. I am on hold for the book and was excited to see this episode queued from my favorite podcast. Started listening this morning and am already impressed with the insight Ryan and Mike are showing towards the topic of addiction and being a family member of someone with addiction. Such a heartbreaking but important topic!

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Megabooks
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Mehso-so

I just couldn‘t connect with David. I feel this book would‘ve been more meaningful if I had that connection. Idk. I felt there was this “why me” undertone to the book. Having dealt with chronic illness both personally and with my mom, it‘s just a futile question.

The writing is excellent though. And I liked how much research he delved into.

#nonfiction2019 #tbrmorethan1year #booked2019 #booktomovie #summer

Cinfhen Well done!!! And thanks for the honest review 5y
Megabooks Thanks @Cinfhen ! The review feels more personal than honest. I always try to connect with books on a personal level. I don‘t know if that‘s a blessing or curse!! 😂 (edited) 5y
Cinfhen I think a personal review is the most thoughtful review 5y
Megabooks @Cinfhen Thank you. At various times I‘ve tried to develop distance between what I read or watch and how I review it. I like your perspective! 5y
89 likes4 comments
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Megabooks

I‘m enjoying book more than I was in the beginning. 👍🏻

I have two friends, early 40s. Both became addicts in their 20s, one to crack, the other to heroin.

One hit bottom, went to a single rehab and has been clean for 12 years. Even went to law school and is a practicing attorney.

The other has been to multiple rehabs and can‘t stay clean. Like Nic, he has a loving family. He‘s intelligent.

I feel so much for these families of addicts. 💔

Erinreadsthebooks It's a great book. I don't have addiction close to me, but this book opened my eyes to the fact that addicts are a diverse group from an array of places and backgrounds. Really should be required reading. 5y
Reviewsbylola I just finished a book about heroin addiction, written by the mother of an addict. It was so sad. (edited) 5y
Megabooks @Erinreadsthebooks Yes! I wish everyone would read at least one nonfiction book about addiction. There are so many good ones, and I think it would be very educational and hopefully eye-opening 5y
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Megabooks @Reviewsbylola Stacking. It sounds really good, but I‘ll wait a few books. For some reason I‘ve got a couple of sad ones now. 5y
Cpg Yes, the addiction rate in our country is alarming to say the least. My husband had just told me about running into a business associate- that had just buried his son recently- he became addicted to pain medication after knee surgery and ended up dying from an overdose- after having to get illegal drugs- and it happened very quickly- no history of anything before that. So sad! 😥 5y
Elizabeth2 It really is a crisis. I have a friend whose 19 year old daughter died from a heroin overdose after 7 years of drug use and over 20 rehab stays. Her parents, the pastor at a local church & his wife, are active advocates for increasing awareness & aid for addicts, and share their story far & wide. It can happen to anyone, anywhere and knows no socioeconomic boundaries. Heartbreaking and very scary as a parent. 5y
Megabooks @Cpg That is incredibly sad! My heart goes out his family!! ❤️💔❤️ My friend, the heroin addict, became addicted after being prescribed OxyContin after surgery. It‘s just terrible what‘s happening. 5y
Megabooks @Elizabeth2 I‘m glad they‘re sharing and helping others. I‘m so sorry for their loss. I cannot imagine! 💜💔💜 5y
Elizabeth2 @Megabooks @Cpg that‘s how my friend‘s daughter started too. A friend of hers brought pain pills swiped from his/her parents to school. Middle school. Started at 12 years old. Just absolutely heartbreaking. (edited) 5y
Cpg Yes @Megabooks there‘s some statistic (not sure from where) one can become addicted in 5 days!!! I‘m thinking there would have to be an addictive personality because I took pain meds for a ruptured disc/pinched nerve and I didn‘t become addicted- thank goodness!!! But I had to take them when I was in so much pain before my surgery. But afterwards, I was all good! Whew!!! There‘s a book I read “All Fall Down” was a mother that became addicted. 5y
Cpg @Elizabeth2 That‘s terrible- and so young!!! 😥 as a mom I can‘t even imagine the pain of that! 5y
Elizabeth2 @Cpg they tried for so long. 7 years. 20 rehab stays. They never gave up. And it still wasn‘t enough. 💔 5y
Cpg 🤦🏼‍♀️💔 Yes heartbreaking! @Elizabeth2 5y
Megabooks @Elizabeth2 12 years old 😔 So tragic!! I could not imagine burying a teenage daughter. It can happen to anyone. Doctors prescribing opiates are playing Russian roulette with patients these days. I have heard that 5 day statistic as well @Cpg I have had 15 major surgeries and never become addicted to the subsequent meds prescribed. I just feel so lucky!! 5y
Cpg @Megabooks yes on the blessed not to be addicted- or have an addictive personality! 5y
Cpg @Elizabeth2 I‘ve heard they keep going back to try to get the “high” of the first time- and it‘s never there! Or that‘s when they overdose! ....also things are being added to the drugs that make them deadly- fentanel (sp)! 5y
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Megabooks
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I‘ve been reading at this today. For some reason, possibly because I‘ve been a bit painful today, I‘m finding this father/author a bit full of himself. I‘m using this book for a couple of challenges, so I‘ll push on, but he really rubs me the wrong way so far.

ReadingRover I have this on my tbr. The son actually wrote his own book i was thinking I might read that first. I didn‘t want to see the movie until I read one of the books. 5y
Megabooks @ReadingRover I‘ll have to look up the son‘s book. That might be more enjoyable. Kindle says I bought this book in 2013 and never read it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I‘m going to keep going. 5y
Cpg I totally thought that was Steve Carell on the cover! 😳😬🤣 5y
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Megabooks @Cpg That‘s true! I can see it now! 5y
Lauram @Cpg @Megabooks I think it is Steve Carell. I seem to recall a movie trailer for this title a few months ago. 5y
Cpg Oh @Lauram so it must be!!! 😆😆😆 Well I thought it was uncanny!!! I usually like the book best- so I‘ll try to read it before seeing the movie. 5y
Megabooks @Cpg @Lauram Y‘all are right. It‘s on Amazon Prime now. I can‘t decide if I‘ll watch it or not. I‘m not a big book-to-movie person. 5y
79 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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ckonicek
Mehso-so

Thought this book was very informative but had too many small tangent stories that sometimes didn't flow very well.

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kricheal
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Pickpick

Wow this book! I'm a firm believer that certain books come into your life right when you need them and this brought me to my knees. If any parent out there has had a child act out in a way that is not in the way you raised them-you need to read this book. First 5 star of the year. #3 #2019

Gaylagal2 I absolutely loved this book too🤓 5y
Bookladylinda Me too! I loved this one too, I read it so many years ago and I want to do a reread before I see the movie. 5y
112 likes4 stack adds2 comments
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peaKnit
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Chilling continues. This movie...hard on the heart. But so good.

Tamra I‘m afraid to watch! 5y
peaKnit @Tamra It was very sad at times but also very real. It‘s a hard one to recommend as drug addiction touches so many lives, it‘s full of painful triggers for addicts and their desperate families. I work as a probation agent so I felt I needed to see it. ❤️ 5y
Annl Knitting a sweater?! 5y
peaKnit @Annl yes, a seriously cabled fisherman sweater, probably a bit out of my league.😂 I‘m doing it as a knit along, which should help 🤞🏻 5y
28 likes4 comments
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TRSR
Pickpick

Such a beautiful book that highlights an incredible relationship between father and son! Highly recommend.

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Gaylagal2
Pickpick

I read this many years ago when we still lived in Vegas. It just knocked me over with its words of wisdom, heartache and David Sheffs way of bringing you into his story. Highly recommend 🤙

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DimeryRene
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How do you explain to an eight-year-old when his beloved big brother steals from him? - This book is breaking my heart. I am so up and down with Nic and David and their turmoil. Having a personal jólabókaflóð of sorts here at home. Reading all day. Happy Christmas Eve.

Redwritinghood Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄 5y
DimeryRene @Redwritinghood Merry Christmas to you too. ❤️💚 5y
17 likes2 comments