The Lost Years

Surviving a Mother and Daughter's Worst Nightmare

By: Kristina Wandzilak, Constance Curry

Narrated by: Hillary Huber, Donna Postel

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Kristina, the second of four children, begins by telling how a little sip of vodka sipped secretly at a party her parents were giving started her on a pathway to addiction. In that instant, alcohol became her pathway to comfort. Over the next eight years, she sank further into addiction, moving on to cocaine and methamphetamines. In telling her story, she gives a brutally honest description of her addiction and crimes.

Adding a heart-wrenching counterpart to each chapter of the book, Kristina's mother, Connie, gives a parent's account of what was happening throughout her child's experience. She describes her powerlessness to help her addicted daughter, the breakup of her unhappy marriage, and how she came to terms with her own codependency. She also describes the worst decision a mother ever has to make: to turn her oldest daughter out of her house, sending her onto the streets, in order to protect herself and her other children. Then follows the remarkable story of Kristina's recovery, her mother's tough love, and the years of acclimating herself to living a normal life. Ultimately she reclaimed herself, her place in her family, and a new and loving relationship with her mother.

©2006 Kristina Wandzilak and Constance Curry (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This book is invaluable to families, and I am proud to recommend The Lost Years." (John Bradshaw, best-selling author of Healing the Shame That Binds You)

Definition of honesty

Just read it, that is the only way you will understand how magnificent the story is.

Awesome to listen to

Listened to this book on audible. Really liked the fact that there were two different voices,
one for the mother, one for the daughter. This is a must listen to or read. This is the best audible book I have ever listened to.

Harsh and true, but offers hope

There’s a lot of harsh reality in this book. It is mind opening about how the mind of someone lost in addiction works. It’s harsh and not everyone makes it out. The book offers honesty and hope and I appreciate the authors not romanticizing the situation.

Heartwarming, honest, graphic, and real

Couldn't put this done until finished. There is hope for those afflicted with addiction. Incredible!

Excellent Story of Overcoming Addition

This story is raw and compelling, beautifully told from two perspectives. It is told with honesty and the power of words here is unforgettable. The narration from Ms Huber and Ms Postel is flawless. I will not forget this story.

Amazing

As a recovering alcoholic and addict myself, words cannot describe how deeply this book has touched me. What an amazing story of despair, recovery, and redemption.

Read for Inspiration

This book is a great for telling people who suffer addiction that they are not limited to an AA room for the rest of their life (Wandzilak). This is not going to tell you what to do or how to live your life, but it is a good start to hear that you are not alone and there are others like you out there. What I mean is, parents or care takers of addicts should not feel alone, there are parents or caretakers of addicts that have something in common with you. I really appreciate the book for giving Kristina's mom a voice and a platform. I am so unbelievably proud of Kristina for what she has endured and what she has to live with every day and overcome. I highly respect Kristina and what she does. If you are a parent or caretaker of an addict this is a good read for you. Remember, you are more than just an addict and you are more than just a parent to an addict.

spot on!

as a recovering addict,, this really hit home. this POV shows how easy it is to slip into this lifestyle and truly can happen to anyone. wonderful book

Thank you for your vulnerability!

Thank you for sharing your journey through addiction. Some reviews say this is just about an over privileged spoiled girl. While her family may have had money, it does not make her story any less important. In fact, it highlights that addiction crosses all socioeconomic classes. This is an important story that was told and needed to be told.

Outstanding

Best book I’ve read in a long time - tells about the horrors of addiction and the joy of recovery.