Tweak

Growing Up on Methamphetamines

By: Nic Sheff

Narrated by: Paul Michael Garcia

Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Nic Sheff was drunk for the first time at age 11. In the years that followed, he would regularly smoke pot, do cocaine and ecstasy, and develop addictions to crystal meth and heroin. Even so, he felt like he would always be able to quit and put his life together whenever he needed to. It took a violent relapse one summer in California to convince him otherwise.

In writing that is raw and honest, Nic spares no detail in telling us the compelling, heartbreaking, and true story of his relapse and the road to recovery. As we watch Nic plunge the mental and physical depths of drug addiction, he paints a picture of a person at odds with his past, with his family, with his substances, and with himself.

You can also hear Nic's father's perspective in his memoir: Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey through His Son's Meth Addiction.

©2007 Nic Sheff (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Garcia delivers a strong and commanding reading that perfectly expresses the rawness of Sheff's most personal recollections….Endlessly memorable." (AudioFile Magazine)

"Garcia becomes Sheff, offering a gritty and raw performance that demonstrates just how dire the circumstances surrounding Sheff's existence really were." (Publishers Weekly)

Vulnerable and Honest

I have always appreciated a writer who can speak even the most ugly truth in the most honest way. There's such a beauty in that.Though its z heartbreaking story, There's beauty in seeing someone's bare soul even on paper, that's what this book is.

So Relateable

So relatable. I see so much of our family in Nic’s. The relentless cycle of addiction and relapse with my son is just so heartbreaking. I never fully understood what it was like to be held captive by meth like my son is. Thanks for the insight and the hope that one day he will conquer his addiction and break free from this horrible drug.

Extremely Compelling, Very Intense

Nic Sheff has artfully and skillfully woven together a beautiful memoir recounting his battle with drug addiction and relationships along the way.
Fair and important warnings: lots of rough language in this read/listen (including profaning the Name of God, and the Name of Jesus). (Also TRIGGER WARNING) There's also obviously a lot of paraphernalia and drug talk that I'm sure would be difficult for someone who might struggle with a physical drug addiction themselves. It's not quite as intense, because it's not first hand experience, but a much cleaner account can be found in David Sheff's "Beautiful Boy."
As one who is still trying to wrest myself away from the grasp of addiction, there's a lot common experience, but the physical impact of drugs isn't the same for me - one of the few things Nic and I don't share in our addictions.
But Nic has a lot of good perspective to offer readers from his memoir, and I appreciated gleaning his difficulties and strengths, and how I relate to those myself.
So if you're trying to shake the worst part or tail end of an addiction, or are thinking about whether you should dive into one, or, alternatively, if you or a loved one are already facing and trying to correct or understand the dynamics of addiction, I think this book has a lot of good stuff to offer you!
His story also sheds a lot of light on how bad relationships might come about, and how good relationships can be put in danger, and I think that's definitely a good, strong added perspective in this book.
So bottom line, if you need a first person perspective on drug addiction, or addiction in general, this is a valuable book for you. But if you would do just as well hearing about it second hand, I'd strongly recommend 'Beautiful Boy' instead.
Thank you, Nic! Healing and peace to you and your loved ones!!!

Memories.

This book really hit home. I being a recovering addict, thought I was listening to a book about myself.

When the relapse kicks in...

Drugs Are Really Everywhere... Just say no though. Tour de Drug Force. Nic Sheff, excellent account of drug deprivation. Takes balls to uncover such uncomfortable livelihood.

amazing

I was overwhelmed with the story and the degree Eric got involved with drugs. His talents for writing and his parents and friends devotion to him. This is an amazing story, and I'm sure there are others out there just like him. It just shows the power of love and to never give up.

Very Realistic

As a drug addict this story can be very relatable. It hit home many times. Very telling and accurate.

AWESOME!!!

I'm a recovering addict myself and this book really hit home. I loved it!! I can't wait to start his next book.

Must listen for those with drug-addict loved ones

Some artistic license may have been used, but feels like a genuine recounting of the dual traumas of addiction and mental illness.

Read this in print

Nic's journey through addiction is raw and honest, no secrets. I imagine this was very hard to put down on paper and so healing.

I wish I had read this on paper or that the author had narrated the book. This reader just didn't convey authenticity in the narrative.