Drug Usage In David Sheff's Beautiful Boy

In his memoir, Beautiful Boy, David Sheff narrates his own, his family’s, and his son’s years of struggle revolving around drug usage. Beginning in 1982, Sheff resides in Berkeley, California, with his wife Vicki. That year, they have their first child, Nic. When Nic is three years old, Sheff and Vicki divorce. Nic is bright; involved with school, art, sports, etc. He has a wide range of friends and grows to love books, music, and movies. He is confident and unafraid to go against the norm. When Nic is eight, Sheff remarries to a woman named Karen. She and Nic build a strong relationship and get along well, bonding over art. Nic lives with his father, Karen, and two younger siblings.
Because Nic displays such personality, it comes as a surprise
He refuses to acknowledge his addiction and relapses after multiple stays in rehab centers. Once sharing a close relationship with his father, he becomes ignorant and rude, unrecognizable as Sheff’s “Beautiful Boy.” While Nic damages himself, he also damages his family. Sheff mentions his ongoing anxiety, his inability to sleep, and constant wish for Nic’s well-being. Nic’s brother and sister, who adore him, worry because they cannot fully comprehend the situation. Sheff explains attempts to defend Nic’s actions while struggling to accept who his son has become. He often wonders if he is to blame for the way Nic turned out: his divorce, his leniency, his own drug use. He and Vicki attend Al-Anon groups to help cope with Nic’s addiction. Suffering midnight calls and sporadic visits that last only a little while, the hardships Sheff face last for years and never seem to cease.
Nic’s attitude towards treatment takes a turn when he ends up in the hospital after a near overdose. From then on, he realizes he must make a change and chooses to go back to rehab. He attends s a six month program as opposed to others that treat lasted only a number of weeks. Nic works to mend himself and his relationship with his family. He continues to relapse, but has come a long way.
Sheff’s story of struggle is told with undeniable love and consideration. Beautiful Boy raises awareness and provides a personal look into a topic that may be hard to discuss. The experiences vividly show the destruction brought about by drugs and provide a glimpse of the effects of a prevalent