David Sheff

David Sheff is the author of this memoir, and thus the entire book is written from his perspective. David Sheff is a successful writer and journalist, as well as an advocate for issues of drug addiction and recovery. He grew up in Arizona and began experimenting with drug use in high school. In college, his drug use became heavier and more varied, although he eventually stopped abusing drugs. David’s first son, Nic, began experimenting with drug use in middle school. His drug use became steadily heavier throughout high school, and Nic eventually became a meth addict at age 18. The memoir mostly focuses on David’s perspective and experience as he struggled to manage the stressors of confronting Nic’s addiction and trying to help Nic.

Much of the book’s thematic structure is built around David’s struggle with—and eventual acceptance of—the idea...