Recently, I have begun reading Tweak, by Nic Sheff. The book
is a personal memoir about how Nic deals with his addiction to several drugs
including Methamphetamines, Cannabis, and Heroin. It also shows the effects of
drugs not only on the abusers physical and mental state but also on the friends
and families. Nic receives most of his drugs through his drug addicted friends,
and continues to use so many until he finds the one that will give him that “first
high.” However what I find interesting in the book is that at certain times Nic
will try to get himself clean, yet he doesn’t push himself to do so, and
continues his extreme drug addiction.
I don’t have firsthand knowledge of how hard it is to become
unaddicted from any drug and hope to keep it that way, but if Nic really wanted
to pursue his dreams of becoming a bestselling author (which he does) I think
that he could have done this long before. From what I read so far in the book,
it seems 100% possible for anyone to get off drugs. However, it’s just a matter
of how much they want to succeed in their passion and life. Nic always talks
about his writing to his friends and how one day he’ll be famous. But it’s also
a matter of saying something from doing something. As I continue to read, I’ll
be extremely interested to see how Nic pushes himself to reach is goal as a
writer.
That book sounds really interesting. At first I though you were talking about an Ellen Hopkins book, as many of her books also deal with drug abuse. I think the stance that you take on addiction is interesting. I know what you mean when you say that it seems very easy to get off of drugs, the character, or author in this case, just isn't trying hard enough. I think that though that view is wrong, I definitely know what you're saying. The book also sounds interesting because the book is focused on the author's actual life, which must have been hard to write about.
ReplyDeleteWow... I think it's cool how this book shows the side of an actual drug abuser, but then shows the ability to overcome. Drug abuse books always have a really strong meaning, but I think that this is especially cool since it is a memoir, and actually is in itself proof that if you try really hard, you can become successful and un-addicted.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really interesting. Drug addiction seems like a really hard thing to deal with, especially when you have dreams you want to pursue. You said that the character started to take drugs from his drug addicted friends, that shows that peer pressure is a big part of these poor decisions. It is sad that someone could feel so pressured and obligated to take drugs that they even consider giving up their dream. I think you are right that un-addiction is possible though I think it is a lot harder than it looks, especially when it is the "norm" amongst all of your friends.
ReplyDeletelike Ali, I'm impressed that he's made a made a drug abuser memoir, and i think its a good idea because it's more real and what happened in the story really did happen, and can happen to anybody. Including the part about getting "un-addicted" as Abby put it. Because he got into drugs via friends, and got out via dreams, it makes me feel like he sort of had to choose between the two: fitting in and pursuing his dreams. am I right?
ReplyDeleteDrug addiction is one of the topics that make books more meaningful. The author Nic may have multiple reasons to use these drugs. Some reasons are to feel good.Such as cocaine, the "high" is followed by feelings of power, self-confidence, and increased energy. Or either to feel better. People that suffer from anxiety or depression will you drugs to make them self better.
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