Read this when
Beautiful Boy
'You didn't cause it, you can't control it, you can't cure it.' Every parent of an addict needs to hear that at least once. 💙
Who it's for
Sheff chronicles years of his son Nic's methamphetamine addiction: the sweet boy he remembers, the lies and thefts, the cycle of rehab and relapse, and the constant fear of the phone ringing.
Feelings it meets
What it is
Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction (2008) is David Sheff's memoir of his son Nic's methamphetamine addiction. It follows the family through Nic's repeated stays in rehab and relapses, and through Sheff's own conflicted questioning of his responsibility as a parent.
Where to find it
In print (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt); widely available from libraries (Libby/Hoopla) and as an audiobook. Not public domain. The 2018 film Beautiful Boy adapts both this book and Nic Sheff's memoir Tw.
Before you start
Heads up: Meth addiction and relapse.
Age: Ages 16+
