As a mother who has experienced the sadness, anger and frustration of having an addicted child, this book rang remarkably true. David Sheff has done an masterful job describing the conflicting feelings that addiction of a loved one brings up. As I was reading this book, there were times that I didn't want to know what was going to happen next yet I couldn't stop reading the book - so eager was I to see how the story ends. I will admit that I was hoping, for an ending that would maintain or restore my own sense of hopefulness. And, of course, although the book ends, the story does not. Thank you, David, for sharing your story.

This is what its really like living with an addict... it will consume your whole life because you will always believe that you can make it better, this time it will be different, this time its gonna work, but its just an illusion you create for yourself so you can survive..To the Newbie... When you choose to take that first pill for fun, u are not just making that choice for u, you are making the choice for everyone who cares about you. Cause when u become addicted you have chosen the addiction for them too without their permission, and that will be the most selfish thing you can do to someone....

I enjoyed Beautiful Boy although it was a very difficult and sad read. I don’t envy the families that live this every day. God bless all involved.

It took me over 2 weeks to read this amazing book and I'm normally a 1-2 day per book person. Why? Because my own pain walking in David's shoes was so intense that I had to step away and could only take it in small doses. This has been our life for 20 years and I know there are specifics David didn't share/ couldn't share because it is so horrifying to know the reality of everything your child is doing to obtain these drugs of choice. It was comforting in some strange way to be inside David's head and know that I'm not alone in thinking these things and more. It is also appalling that in this great country - which gives away everywhere - that it is so incredibly difficult to find help and rehabs for those with mental health issues or addictions. The daily battle is overwhelming. There should not be such a battle/war to find reputable, effective programs for help. 28 day programs - a load of crap. Nothing of true, long lasting value can be accomplished in 28 day programs. I still remember sitting in our first family session at a program - 20 years ago. Sitting in that circle that would become yet another dreaded part of this process and listening to people talk about it being their 4th, 5th, 6th time. Thinking there is no way possible OUR child, OUR family would ever be back here doing this again. We were a good family, had raised great kids and we would handle this and fix it during this one go round. I lost track of the rehabs, the programs, the jails, the prisons a long, long time ago. I also learned a lot along the way about the impacts of things birth parents did to impact a beautiful girls destiny. Not to absolve our own part of this - all parents make mistakes along the way. But just because you received the gift of this child while they were young - it doesn't remove damage done in the womb and even as a small infant. And that terrifies me for the two beautiful baby boys that my child had and gave up to some other loving family. I worry about the predisposition to addiction those beautiful boys have been sentenced to. You learn....constantly and painfully. David captures this in his amazing book. I am debating with myself now about sharing it with my daughter so perhaps she can finally see inside our minds and hearts and understand the depths of the fear, the anger, the pain, the destruction. I want to believe that might help her/us heal if she could ever understand this isn't all about her and her pain. God help me but it does come to a place where you are glad they are locked up somewhere because at least they are safe and for a little while you can sleep....you aren't waiting for a dreaded call to come with horrid news.....or waiting for calls to come just to know they are alive. You do truly begin to dread and hate a ringing phone. Enough already. This is a true must read for any family or person that knows and loves an addict. It would be a good read for those that don't - just for their understanding and education about how this plague of addiction affects people they interact with every day and yet may not even know the hell they are living. Thank you for writing this David. I felt like I was holding my breath throughout waiting to know that Nic was still alive and was making it. I'll be reading Nic's own story next.

This should be required reading for every junior high school and high school student so that perhaps they can begin to understand what drugs can do to a person and everyone who is related to, loves, or cares about that person. Drugs destroy lives! Mr. Sheff is a wonderful writer . . . he makes you laugh and he makes you cry . . . you are totally wrung out from the gamut of emotion that you feel reading this book! I will never regret having read it and I highly recommend it.