At my worst, I even resented Nic because an addict, at least when high, has a momentary respite from his suffering. There is no similar relief for parents or children or husbands or wives or others who love them.

At my worst, I even resented Nic because an addict, at least when high, has a momentary respite from his suffering. There is no similar relief for parents or children or husbands or wives or others who love them.

Why does it help to read others' stories? It is not only that misery loves company, because (I learned) misery is too self-absorbed to want much company. Others' experiences did help with my emotional struggle.

I'm not sure if I know any 'functional' families, if functional means a family without difficult times and members who don't have a full range of problems.

An alcoholic will steal your wallet and lie to you. A drug addict will steal your wallet and then help you look for it.

Here's a note to the parents of addicted children: Choose your music carefully...There are millions of treacherous moments.

Along with the joy of parenthood, with every child comes a piercing vulnerability. It is at once sublime and terrifying