Product Description
This memoir is the harrowing story of one mother’s journey through the hell of her daughter’s heroin addiction. It is also a topical memoir that traces the social history of drug use from the youth culture of the 1960’s to present time, and also examines public policy on drug abuse and its impact on our criminal justice system.
The author’s story begins as a young woman whose mother, an antiques dealer, was murdered in her upscale suburban antiques shop in 1968; 3 days after the Chicago Democratic Convention where cops and hippies clashed in a historic confrontation. Subsequently, the author emerged into the youth culture of the 60’s, where rampant drug experimentation was the norm.
Out of this chaos, the author then examines her personal history from that personal and social historic moment, leading to her subsequent marriage to an alcoholic, and then to the three children who were the offspring of that marriage. From the time her oldest daughter was a teenager her daughter exhibited addictive personality traits, culminating in a serious heroin addiction and consequent enmeshment in the criminal justice system. On the night of August 18, 2009, at 32 years of age, her daughter lost the battle to her addiction and died of a drug overdose.
The suffering this addiction inflicted on her daughter, the family, and society at large is examined in an unflinching portrayal of the nefarious forces at work. Addiction is indeed a thief that steals a promising future from anyone who suffers from these compulsive behaviors, and it steals in an indiscriminate manner from all echelons of society. This moving story makes a brave attempt to understand solutions and treatments for drug addiction. Although the subject matter is gritty, the story is neither gloomy nor depressing, and may offer hope to families of addicts worldwide
I am about to purchase this book to read on my Kindle – I already know it is something I will benefit from, as the mother of a 20 yr old pregnant addict who is currently in jail… Once beyond the “self help” books, once past the “just say no” stages, reading real life experiences are vital. I know well this must have been a painful story for Marie Minnich to write, and I am so thankful that she did.
There are support groups for parents with children who are terminally ill with cancer, or who have mental illness. Parents of addicts often begin their journey very isolated and ashamed… it’s not exactly something easily discussed around the water cooler at work – sadly, we are not alone. There is a wonderful blogging group of parents dealing with this. Google “Mom vs Heroin.” Thank you Marie.
~ Athena
Rating: 4 / 5
A professional in the mental health and addiction fields is often at a loss when their own family members are affected. That was how I was feeling until one night I searched the word “methadone” on my kindle and Marie Minnick’s story magically appeared. For most co-dependents dealing with alcohol and pot is straight forward, different than prescription or narcotic drug abuse which can be elusive to the non-user or justified by pain. It is obvious when the alcoholic hits bottom and it can be somewhat precictable. The bottom for narcotic addicts is elusive. They hate the lifestyle yet the call to relieve their psychological pain appears stronger than any other chemical or withholding of love. Ms Minnick’s book speaks to the drug crisis our country is in. I, also, agree with her points on the need for mental health agencies, criminal justice systems, and health professionals to collaborate, educate, and work together. This is a community problem that is destroying our families. Providing encouragements or some of life’s essentials does not make one an enabler as many want to label us. I THANK Marie for helping me sort out the difference in doing what I can and to identify myself as a “co-dependent with boundaries.” If you also feel at a loss when dealing with your addicted loved ones then you must read this book for your own sanity.
LJManis,MSW,LCSW
Rating: 5 / 5