Through the Eyes of an Addict

Through the Eyes of an Addict PDF Author: Patrick Sean Naish
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1543455123
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 232

Get Book Here

Book Description
I first read Through the Eyes of an Addict chapter by chapter as it was being written, shortly after deciding to make Sean my friend as he began his Recovery journey. Re-reading it now, 12 years later, the book now final and complete with the thoughtful and touching prologue, epilogues, and sadly a eulogy by his family, simultaneously saddens and inspires me as to what is possible in the wake of the deceit, destruction, depravity, and misery that the disease of Addiction wreaks through its victims. You may prefer accomplice to, rather than victim of, the disease however the results are horrific all the same. Seans addiction experience is indeed horrific; and his book a thrilling, dark, and frightening tale (if you can forget that it is not fiction) that illuminates clearly the mind of a using addict. The contradictions swirl inclusive of insanity and lucidity, pride and humility, selfishness and compassion, shame and callousness, and finally wanting to be clean and sober as well as wanting nothing more than to use and die. In reading you will, as I did, surely notice how Sean did eventually become fully aware that he could recover despite the carnage, and availed himself often of the daily reprieve a program of recovery offers during the final twelve years of his life to good effect. If you dont read to the end, you might never believe that he became a good friend, father, son, brother, and compassionate helper to countless lost souls in his Recovery. About the book, I am reminded of the humility, intellect, wit, and incredible insight into himself that Sean demonstrates and lived as a recovering addict. He could easily have been materially wealthy in his recovery, however chose to dedicate his life to helping others in a profession that paid not well, and being the best father he could be. His book ought to be a resource to addicts in the grip, addicts seeking Recovery, and in particular to those close to an addict as it demonstrates the insanity of an addict both wanting to be good, yet repeating the same mistakes. It shows how one can intellectually understand the why and how one gets caught up in Addiction, the depths one can sink, yet still be unable to stop without help. Recovery is possible, wherever ones bottom may lie, as Seans life demonstrates, and detailed in the final chapters as he relates his first year of sobriety. Make no mistake, Sean did relapse from time to time, however his Recovery as evidenced by the relationships with his son, his other family, his friends, his co-workers, and his clients, in my view, count large as weighed against the resulting anguish borne by himself and those who knew and loved him during a relapse. I am reminded, re-reading his book, also of his friendship, which was unconditional. Recovery is not a war to be won, it is a series of battles with yourself that can be won with the help and support of loving and caring resources. His legacy, with this book, will be to pass along his experience, strength, and hope. Dave Rassell

Through the Eyes of an Addict

Through the Eyes of an Addict PDF Author: Patrick Sean Naish
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1543455123
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 232

Get Book Here

Book Description
I first read Through the Eyes of an Addict chapter by chapter as it was being written, shortly after deciding to make Sean my friend as he began his Recovery journey. Re-reading it now, 12 years later, the book now final and complete with the thoughtful and touching prologue, epilogues, and sadly a eulogy by his family, simultaneously saddens and inspires me as to what is possible in the wake of the deceit, destruction, depravity, and misery that the disease of Addiction wreaks through its victims. You may prefer accomplice to, rather than victim of, the disease however the results are horrific all the same. Seans addiction experience is indeed horrific; and his book a thrilling, dark, and frightening tale (if you can forget that it is not fiction) that illuminates clearly the mind of a using addict. The contradictions swirl inclusive of insanity and lucidity, pride and humility, selfishness and compassion, shame and callousness, and finally wanting to be clean and sober as well as wanting nothing more than to use and die. In reading you will, as I did, surely notice how Sean did eventually become fully aware that he could recover despite the carnage, and availed himself often of the daily reprieve a program of recovery offers during the final twelve years of his life to good effect. If you dont read to the end, you might never believe that he became a good friend, father, son, brother, and compassionate helper to countless lost souls in his Recovery. About the book, I am reminded of the humility, intellect, wit, and incredible insight into himself that Sean demonstrates and lived as a recovering addict. He could easily have been materially wealthy in his recovery, however chose to dedicate his life to helping others in a profession that paid not well, and being the best father he could be. His book ought to be a resource to addicts in the grip, addicts seeking Recovery, and in particular to those close to an addict as it demonstrates the insanity of an addict both wanting to be good, yet repeating the same mistakes. It shows how one can intellectually understand the why and how one gets caught up in Addiction, the depths one can sink, yet still be unable to stop without help. Recovery is possible, wherever ones bottom may lie, as Seans life demonstrates, and detailed in the final chapters as he relates his first year of sobriety. Make no mistake, Sean did relapse from time to time, however his Recovery as evidenced by the relationships with his son, his other family, his friends, his co-workers, and his clients, in my view, count large as weighed against the resulting anguish borne by himself and those who knew and loved him during a relapse. I am reminded, re-reading his book, also of his friendship, which was unconditional. Recovery is not a war to be won, it is a series of battles with yourself that can be won with the help and support of loving and caring resources. His legacy, with this book, will be to pass along his experience, strength, and hope. Dave Rassell

Through the Eyes of a Drug-addict's Wife

Through the Eyes of a Drug-addict's Wife PDF Author: Word Girl
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781073588763
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 212

Get Book Here

Book Description
It didn't matter how many people said he was no good for her, she couldn't see it! She didn't see destructive, she saw his pain. She didn't see addiction, she saw his shame. She didn't see selfishness, she saw him trying to grab onto anything tangible. When others looked at him they saw a loser drug head that proved himself time after time that he'd never change. When she looked at him, she saw a man Jesus was murdered to save. They saw his foolishness and she saw her babies dad. They saw demons and she saw redemption. Maybe the fact that she was once wretched too made it easier for her to trust that reckless love was enough. Or maybe the fact that she had already escaped from a real demon before had everything to do with why she could see the truth in his eyes buried behind all of the lies. Any stranger on the street wouldn't care to fight for his life or any addict's life for that matter and perhaps that's why it takes seeing through the eyes of a wife to believe no matter how ugly one soul could be that Jesus came to set EVERY. SINGLE. captive free.

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts PDF Author: Gabor Maté, MD
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
ISBN: 1583944206
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 522

Get Book Here

Book Description
A “thought-provoking and powerful” study that reframes everything you’ve been taught about addiction and recovery—from the New York Times–bestselling author of The Myth of Normal (Bruce Perry, author of The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog). A world-renowned trauma expert combines real-life stories with cutting-edge research to offer a holistic approach to understanding addiction—its origins, its place in society, and the importance of self-compassion in recovery. Based on Gabor Maté’s two decades of experience as a medical doctor and his groundbreaking work with people with addiction on Vancouver’s skid row, this #1 international bestseller radically re-envisions a much misunderstood condition by taking a compassionate approach to substance abuse and addiction recovery. In the same vein as Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts traces the root causes of addiction to childhood trauma and examines the pervasiveness of addiction in society. Dr. Maté presents addiction not as a discrete phenomenon confined to an unfortunate or weak-willed few, but as a continuum that runs throughout—and perhaps underpins—our society. It is not a medical “condition” distinct from the lives it affects but rather the result of a complex interplay among personal history, emotional and neurological development, brain chemistry, and the drugs and behaviors of addiction. Simplifying a wide array of brain and addiction research findings from around the globe, the book avoids glib self-help remedies, instead promoting a thorough and compassionate self-understanding as the first key to healing and wellness. Dr. Maté argues persuasively against contemporary health, social, and criminal justice policies toward addiction and how they perpetuate the War on Drugs. The mix of personal stories—including the author’s candid discussion of his own “high-status” addictive tendencies—and science with positive solutions makes the book equally useful for lay readers and professionals.

All Eyes On Me

All Eyes On Me PDF Author: Kevin Zdrill
Publisher: FriesenPress
ISBN: 1525576771
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 252

Get Book Here

Book Description
Drugs, gangs, crime, doing time. Vincent Lillie desperately wanted to escape the cycle that was slowly killing him, and the first step was leaving the very gang he had depended on for love and acceptance. The price for escape? A beating so brutal, many don’t survive. The story of Vincent’s life starts with the destruction of his family at the hands of his father’s sexual abuse, worsens with his school’s discriminatory segregation of him, and deteriorates further with every drug he does, every crime he commits, and each of his incarcerations. With his three brothers stuck in the same cycle, Vincent’s lowest point of addiction came to attempted suicide—twice. But fate had other plans for him. At times heartbreaking and at others breathtaking, Vincent’s true story will give you faith in humanity and prove the strength of the human spirit. His slow but steady road to recovery through sheer willpower and determination led him to become a mentor and speaker, motivating kids and adults to become the best version of themselves, and stopping those who are troubled from following in his footsteps. His is an unforgettable story of burning to ashes and rising from them better than ever before—one step at a time. A raw and honest memoir that will give you hope. FOREWORD BY MITCH BOURBONNIERE, Director of Service, Ogijiita Pimatiswin Kinamatwin (OPK), working with Winnipeg’s most vulnerable people who suffer with homelessness, post traumatic stress, addiction, mental health issues, domestic violence, gang involvement, and sexual exploitation.

Addict in the Family

Addict in the Family PDF Author: Beverly Conyers
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1616499559
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 208

Get Book Here

Book Description
The family recovery classic, Addict in the Family, has been revised and updated to offer parents and other family members even greater support when faced with the reality of a loved one’s addiction. Solid, actionable advice and information about what helps and what doesn’t—and how to care for themselves—make this an indispensable guide. For families of addicts, fear, shame, and confusion over a loved one’s addiction can cause deep anxiety, sleepless nights, and even physical illness. The emotional distress family members suffer is often compounded by the belief that they somehow caused or contributed to their loved one’s addiction—or that they could have done something to prevent it. Addict in the Family is a book about the pain of addiction, but more importantly it is a book of comfort, understanding, and hope for anyone struggling with a loved one’s addiction. As the compelling personal stories reveal, family members do not cause their loved one’s addiction—nor can they control or cure it. What family members can do is find support, set boundaries, detach with love, and eventually discover how to enjoy life more fully. This book helps them do just that—whether the loved one achieves recovery or not.

The Addict

The Addict PDF Author: Michael Stein
Publisher: Harper Collins
ISBN: 0061970875
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 333

Get Book Here

Book Description
“A gripping, illuminating book . . . Dr. Stein is drawn, in an almost Sherlock Holmesian way, toward trying to fathom and analyze addicts’ behavior. . . . hauntingly and successfully, Stein lets readers make a doctor’s experiences their own.” — New York Times “Beautifully told… [with] great insight, empathy and compassion.” — Abraham Verghese, author of The Tennis Partner, My Own Country, and Cutting for Stone The Addict is the powerful and revealing narrative of Dr. Michael Stein’s year-long treatment of a young woman addicted to Vicodin. Dr. Stein has followed up his award winning book The Lonely Patient with “a useful, sensible, and often inspiring guide to how the medical profession does—and should—treat the sick, and the sick at heart.” (Francine Prose, O magazine)

My Beautiful Daughter

My Beautiful Daughter PDF Author: Vanessa Wales
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN: 1467887153
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 321

Get Book Here

Book Description
My Beautiful Daughter is an inspirational true story about a daughters fight against drug addiction through the eyes of her mother. Louise goes from a happy contented child, to a self destructive drug addict. The impact that it would have on her family especially her parents is key to it all. The story starts where the mother is looking back over the years to when it began, and how she coped with trying to help her daughter, but at the same time having to come to terms with the fact that she may lose her. It covers the constant battle over the lack of help and advice for parents from the professionals. Whilst dealing with her grief on a daily basis, she struggles to understand why this is happening. Then she has to come to terms with the revelation that a terrible event caused her beautiful daughter to take heroin in the first place, leaving the whole family distraught. Finally as her daughter battles to stay clean, a serious life threatening health problem is diagnosed which is one of the consequences of her years of drug abuse. Every time her mother thinks that its nearly over, another challenge emerges and another fight begins. This is a very emotionally charged account of pure desperation from her parents, determined to get back the daughter they feel is lost to them, never giving up hope and at times barely keeping sane, and while their daughter fights her addiction they have to face up to the trauma that led to her drug abuse.

Hooked

Hooked PDF Author: Chloe Shantz-Hilkes
Publisher: Annick Press
ISBN: 155451519X
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 84

Get Book Here

Book Description
This collection of ten true stories is based on interviews with people who, in their youth, lived with an addicted parent or sibling. The subjects speak honestly about what it was like to grow up with a family member addicted to alcohol, drugs, food, pills, or gambling. While describing how they managed to cope, interviewees explore the full range of situations and emotions they experienced —from denial, anger, and confusion to acceptance and forgiveness. Their maturity, sensitivity, and even their sense of humor will give teens going through similar situations the important realization that there are many ways to break free from the chains of others’ addictions.

The Truth

The Truth PDF Author: Neil Strauss
Publisher: Dey Street Books
ISBN: 9780062848307
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 448

Get Book Here

Book Description
“One of the 33 books everyone should reading before turning 30.” — The Independent "I am not the hero in this story . . . I am the villain.” In this highly acclaimed and revelatory classic, New York Times and Rolling Stone journalist Neil Strauss embarks on a deeply personal quest to discover why the rate of infidelity, divorce, and marital unhappiness is so high – and what we can do about it. In this quest to heal his intimacy issues, he explores love addiction and love avoidance; sex addiction and sex anorexia; enmeshment and abandonment; and, most importantly, why so many people attract the partners most likely to wound them. What he discovers about himself—and what you will discover about yourself and your partners from reading this—will change the way you date, love, and commit.

Addiction

Addiction PDF Author: June Ariano-Jakes
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780986701320
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 298

Get Book Here

Book Description
Addiction: A Mother's Story follows the 23 year heroin and cocaine addiction of her deeply loved son through the eyes of his mother. It includes stories of all the various "players" that make up the world of drug use and the dramatic consequences of drug addiction within a family.