Hooked: When Addiction Hits Home

Description

Jenny dealt with the stress by forgiving her mom-over and over and over again. This collection of ten true stories is based on interviews with people who, in their youth, lived with an addicted parent or sibling. The subjects speak honestly about what it was like to grow up with a family member addicted to alcohol, drugs, food, pills, or gambling. While describing how they managed to cope, interviewees explore the full range of situations and emotions they experienced-from denial, anger, and confusion to acceptance and forgiveness. Their maturity, sensitivity, and even their sense of humor will give teens going through similar situations the important realization that there are many ways to break free from the chains of others' addictions.

Chloe Shantz-Hilkes is a writer and a producer of radio interviews and soundscapes for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. She lives in Toronto. Decode is a global strategic consultancy firm that helps clients "decode" what young people think, feel, want, need, believe in, and aspire to. Robert Munsch is the author of "The Paper Bag Princess" and is keenly concerned with addiction issues.

Readers will speed through these stories about growing up with a family member under the influence of an addiction. Searingly honest tales, informed by a survivor's perspective, are related about brothers, mothers, and fathers struggling with addictions to gambling, alcohol, and crack. A "How I Coped" section in each story is invaluable, as are the appended lists of resources and a FAQ.--Paula Willey"School Library Journal" (09/09/2014) Hooked deals with teens who have a family member with an addiction. Each of the first ten chapters consists of a real teen's story told in the first person about what it was like to live with an addict and how they coped. Most of the stories involve parents, but one is about a sibling... The last two chapters are comprised of a Common Questions section where a professor of social work answers questions teens have about addiction, and an Advice and Help section which lists resources teens can access in both Canada and the United States if they need help. The first person accounts in this book are very powerful.... Any teen going through a similar situation when reading this will be comforted to find that they are not alone... This is a solid resource for teens dealing with addiction. Recommended.--Arwen Rudolph is the Rural Branch Supervisor, Pall"Canadian Children's Book News" (12/01/2013) Comprised of ten short reflections, it puts a real face on what addictions do to those around them. It is a powerful and moving read.--Michael Rogowski"Resource Links" (06/01/2013) In this honest and insightful book, ten different individuals share their personal stories of living with a parent or sibling with an addiction.--Barbara A. Ward"Reading Today Online" (06/03/2013) Living with an addicted family member has to be difficult, and for those young adults facing the challenge, this is a book which will truly hit home.--Joanna Peters"Canadian Materials" (06/07/2013) Ten teens share how they've been affected by family members with food, drug, work, alcohol or gambling addictions. It's a candid, raw read, but those in similar situations will see they are not alone, that help is available and they are not to blame. Guelph children's author Robert Munsch wrote the book's introduction, describing how he fell into the grip of multiple addictions and how he and his family were affected.--Brenda Hoerle"Waterloo Region Record" (06/08/2013)