Monday, July 29, 2019

Just the Facts Book Discussion - July 25, 2019

Last night was the beginning of a Yankees-Red Sox series which I always look forward to.  But the book discussion takes precedence and I had to pass on the game.  Given that it was a 19-3 drubbing, I’m glad I had a good excuse not to watch it.  Many thanks to the six people who also passed on watching that debacle to attend the meeting.

Our book last night was Beautiful Boy: a father’s journey through his son’s addiction by David Sheff.  It’s the true story of the author’s son descent from a wonderful, engaged child to a seemingly hopeless drug addict.  The son went through the “normal” gateway drugs to become addicted to crystal meth, considered the worst drug in America.  The father and author went with him, consulting experts and doctors in desperate attempts to save his son.  It is a painful book and a painful journey.  Anyone who has a relative or a friend who has been through this knows how horrible this experience can be.  The author takes the reader along on his odyssey of doctors, researchers, psychiatrists, theft, rehabs, break-ins, jails and desperation to find an answer.  Ultimately, when the book ends, Nik, has ended his addiction, at great financial and emotional cost to his family.  Our conversation was somewhat personal and, at times, emotional.  It seems that everyone has or knows someone who has gone through it.  We discussed the nature of addiction, the difference of addiction to drugs or food, how to deal with the situation as a parent, the chances of a cure and much more.  It was an interesting, if somber discussion culminating in Al-Anon and Nar-Con’s three Cs:  “You didn’t cause it.  You can’t control it.  You can’t cure it.”

Our next meeting will be on August 22nd, 2019.  The book to be discussed, City of Dreams: the 400-year history of immigrant New York by Tyler Anbinder, is available at the Circulation Desk.  All are welcome.

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