Olivia: addicted to diet pills and exercising. She got started at age 14 when her mom got her doctor to write her a script. She's from a rich and powerful family. All her siblings, and family members are perfect, and the pills help with that. There's just too much to do, and not enough time. Can she please do her homework now?
Kelly: pretty girl addicted to alcohol and cocaine. She got started at age 13 when her 17 year old boyfriend got her drunk, and took her virginity. After that, she just knew the two things went together: alcohol and sex. Her younger twin sisters have Down's Syndrome, and got all the attention. Her parents were never anything but understanding and kind. Of course, there was always a boy to boost her self esteem, make her feel beautiful, and get her drunk or high. She's secretly kind of dating Jason...if you can call it that in this place.
Christopher: addicted to meth. He's a homeschooled, deeply Christian boy who lives alone with his very obese mother. He got started with cocaine at age 15 when his neighbor brought it by. Todd would sneak in his window, and Christopher's mom never even knew he came by. Pretty soon they had moved on to meth, and he was getting it for free...in exchange for sexual favors.
Jason: addicted to alcohol. He got started at age 9 when his dad gave him a beer, and told him to chug it. From then on, it was just the thing he did. That and beating kids up, being a tough guy just like his dad wants him to be. Pretty soon he was knocking back 6 or 8 drinks in one go. His parents both drink too much. Funny how when his mom collapsed from "dehydration" no one sent her to rehab.
Eva: addicted to prescription pain killers and weed. She got started at age 14 when some kids at school offered her a joint. It was the summer after her mother died of cancer. Her dad pretty much checked out after that. Doing drugs was her way of coping with the pain of it all. It's not like anyone was paying attention anyway, right?
This is a no-holds barred look at teenage addiction, with a in-depth look into some of the circumstances surrounding the why's and how's of it all. These kids are from all walks of life, all different family situations, and yet they still end up in the same place. Very powerful, moving, and realistic depiction of how addiction affects not just addicts, but those around them as well. Written in a few different styles, and from several different points of view, this is a quick read. Highly recommended.
"None of you ended up here by accident. We don't take in every kid who's snuck wine at a bar mitzvah or inhaled once or twice. Listen to me: You do not drink or use like a normal person. You have moved beyond the point where you can ever drink or use like a normal person. If you don't believe me, fine, go ahead and try to prove me wrong. We're always open. I'm sure your parents would love to pay for another stay here. Hopefully you'll make it back. Hopefully you don't need to keep testing to see if you're like the ones who don't make it, the ones who OD and die on the streets, the ones who end up in jail, the ones who end up crazy and alone and living in a carboard box," (Reed pg. 118, 2011).*Library Link*
If you like this, check out:
Beautiful by Amy Reed
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Smack by Melvin Burgess
Reed, Amy. L. (2011). Clean. New York: Simon Pulse.
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