Sheff s story is a first: a teenager s addiction from the parent s point of view a real-time chronicle of the shocking descent into substance abuse and the gradual emergence into hope. Before meth, Sheff s son Nic was a varsity athlete, honor student, and award-winning journalist. After meth, he was a trembling wraith who stole money from his eight-year-old brother and lived on the streets. With haunting candor, Sheff traces the first subtle warning signs, the denial (by both child and parents), the three A.M. phone calls (is it Nic? the police? the hospital?), the attempts at rehab, and, at last, the way past addiction. He shows us that, whatever an addict s fate, the rest of the family must care for each other too, lest they become addicted to addiction. Meth is the fastest-growing drug in the United States, as well as the most addictive and the most dangerous wreaking permanent brain damage faster than any other readily available drug. It has invaded every region and demographic in America. This book is the first that treats meth and its impact in depth. But it is not just about meth. Nic s addiction has wrought the same damage that any addiction will wreak. His story, and his father s, are those of any family that contains an addict and one in three American families does.
Amazon Best of the Month, February 2008: From as early as grade school, the world seemed to be on Nic Sheff's string. Bright and athletic, he excelled in any setting and appeared destined for greatness. Yet as childhood exuberance faded into teenage angst, the precocious boy found himself going down a much different path. Seduced by the illicit world of drugs and alcohol, he quickly found himself caught in the clutches of addiction. Beautiful Boy is Nic's story, but from the perspective of his father, David. Achingly honest, it chronicles the betrayal, pain, and terrifying question marks that haunt the loved ones of an addict. Many respond to addiction with a painful oath of silence, but David Sheff opens up personal wounds to reinforce that it is a disease, and must be treated as such. Most importantly, his journey provides those in similar situations with a commodity that they can never lose: hope --Dave Callanan
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
A Must Read for All Parents of Teens Today:
As a parent that struggled with my own teenager - after reading Beautiful Boy I don't feel I could compare to what David Sheff endured with Nic and the way he put it into words; words that only a parent that has experienced difficult times can feel deep down - is nothing short of amazing. As an author (Wit's End: Advice and Resources for Saving Your Out-of-Control Teen) I felt Beautiful Boy was done exceptionally well, very compelling and painful - brutally honest and completely put my struggles into... more info
Must read:
You should consider this book a must read if your life has EVER come into contact with anyone battling an addiction. It is the best insight into the world of those touched by addicts I have ever read. I recommend it to anyone that ever mentions the subject to me.
Beautiful Boy:
I bought this book a second time, this time for a friend. The story is so real - you have the feeling that you're in the middle of everything what happend. I totally would recommend that book because it' more than a story or a normal book! Very authentic!!!
Very real and honest... a MUST read for parents of teens:
This well written book will help many people, and I believe the author was very brave and honest. This book helped me to learn how to 'let go'..even if your son or daughter 'just drinks' or 'just smokes pot' .. this book will help you. I want to thank the author for opening up his personal life; there is such a stigma to this kind of illness. Many small minded people can not grasp the situation and finding support (even among family memebers) is nearly impossible and extremely expensive. Nic was... more info
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