addiction

The author feels intense pressure, so she begins taking pills that help her study. The drugs change her into someone she doesn't recognize. (full text)

Slightly Open Arms

Chantel is disappointed by a foster mother who seems great at first, but turns out to be an abusive drunk. It makes it hard for her to open up to anyone. (full text)

The Power of Forgiveness

Because her mother is an alcoholic, Jzhamaine suffers abuse, neglect, and homelessness. After her mother gets sober and apologizes, Jzhamaine can forgive her. (full text)

How to Ditch Bad Habits—and Bad Relationships

A therapist explains how abuse and neglect can lead to isolating behaviors like fighting, cutting, substance abuse as well as more abusive relationships. She also gives practical tips for quitting self-destructive habits. (full text)

Pushing Isaac Away

The author suffers from the death of her grandmother, her mother's mental illness and withdrawal, and going into foster care. Isaac, first her friend, then her boyfriend, supports her, but she drives him away with her cutting. (full text)

The Best Mom I Can Be

Hollie's mother dies from her alcoholism about a year before Hollie has a son. Hollie is determined to be a better mother herself. (full text)

A Drug Took My Sister

Joy and her big sister were very close until her sister began smoking weed and drifted away from Joy. (full text)

Finding My Way Back to School

Alesha loses her way because of abuse, foster care, and addiction. Seeing her friends graduate inspires her to get her GED and then go to college. (full text)

Hooked on Heroin

The writer starts using heroin at 15 and quickly becomes addicted. Getting clean again is a struggle. (full text)

Clean and Kind of Sober

Antwaun becomes dependent on drinking and smoking weed to deal with painful emotions, but gradually finds ways to deal with life without being high. (full text)

The Man in the Glass

For years, the writer's father put alcohol ahead of his family. When he finally enters treatment, he and Jessica are able to connect. (full text)

They Called Me a `Crack Baby'

When students discover he can’t read, Antwaun is teased and called a “crack baby.” (full text)

I Gotta Have It

Edwin smokes his first cigarette at 12 and becomes addicted. Now he can’t go a day without smoking. (full text)

The Kid Who Couldn't Stop Smoking

Priscilla remembers her father as an "awesome guy." They went to ball games, made model airplanes, and cooked together. That's why she misses him so much. He couldn't kick the cigarette habit and died of lung cancer when she was 9. (full text)

A Family of Buttheads

Four relatives who live with Trenee are smokers, and she's sick and tired of smelling like an ashtray whenever she leaves the house. Her father continually warns Trenee never to smoke, but he's got nothing to worry about. (full text)

It's Never Too Late

After years of rejection from her father, Tameara finally learns that the reason he is so absent is because he is a crack addict. (full text)

Growing Up With an Addict

A family therapist describes how kids can cope with a parent's addiction and seek help.

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A Long Hard Climb

Gia’s been depressed all her life. In therapy, she learns to express her emotions and begins to emerge from her personal darkness. (full text)

My So-Called Holidays

The writer turns to his two old pals when it comes to celebrating holidays: a bottle and a blunt. (full text)

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