Beautiful Boy

 

Beautiful Boy by David Sheff

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

A friend recommended this book for me to read at work, and because I jump at the chance to read any good book that someone suggests, she gave it to me. This is a book of the author's life and how his son Nic's addiction affected him, his family, and everyone who loved him. This is a sad but beautifully written book that shows the realities of drug addiction and gives hope to parents everywhere who have children who become addicts and to not to give up on them. It demonstrates parents' true power and what they are capable of for their own children, but it is also a narrative of acceptance and how they manage with challenging circumstances in their family.

I had always recognized addiction for what it was, but reading someone's experience and what they went through, as well as how their family suffered, made it feel so real. This book made me cry three times. The description and details from the beginning, watching how his child had become an addict to the harsh reality of not being able to find him for weeks at a time, I can only image how devastating it is. 

Parents are so strong; those who show up for their children and love them unconditionally are truly admirable. Although it is heartbreaking to read what the family went through, I think what his sibling's experienced at such a young age broke my heart the most. They suffered, because all they knew was their brother... and they loved him unconditionally not matter what. I believe they are now happy because Nic has been sober for 11 years now and he did that for him family and himself.

Healing is a difficult journey, and it affects everyone who knows someone who suffers from any kind of illness—drugs, alcohol, depression, etc. This book, in my opinion, will make you feel less alone. That there are other people in the world who experience similar things and suffer just as much as we do. It struck a nerve because I personally know someone who struggles with one of these, but ultimately, we're all just trying to get by in life. That is why, no matter how insignificant the gesture may appear at the time, you should check in on your loved ones and be there for them. I think this book teaches  you that you that it's okay to let go but also not to hold onto anger and animosity and I'm continually learning this.

CS Lewis once said “Experience is the most brutal of teachers but you learn, my God, do you learn” and he was not wrong.

David Sheff... this book really helped me understand addiction in ways I never thought I could, thanks for... everything.

My Goodreads review