Adolescent and Family Systems Paper
Haley Dexter
Adolescent and Family Systems Paper
12/15/14
“A lot of people think that addiction is a choice. A lot of people think it 's a matter of will. That has not been my experience. I don 't find it to have anything to do with strength.”
- Matthew Perry The novels, Tweak by Nic Sheff and Beautiful Boy by David Sheff have shed an enormous amount of light on a topic that most of the population tries to avoid and pretend doesn’t exist: drug addiction. These novels are both compelling and haunting. They leave the reader anxiously turning each page, unable to read quick enough. Both sides of a drug addiction story, the addicts and the families of addicts, are told with deep sincerity and powerful insight. Because of these novels countless of people have a changed perspective towards addiction, sobriety, and strength. Addicts are not solely comprised of their addiction and addiction does not equal strength. People should not be ashamed to talk about their life story, Nic Sheff explained that “[He’s] come to discover that holding on to secrets about who [he is] and where [he came] from is toxic. [His] secrets will kill [him]” (Sheff, N., 2009, p.322). These novels have challenged society’s “hush, hush” mentality about addiction, and have brought an intimate insight into how addicts and families of addicts think and feel. This information will greatly change addiction treatment, therapy, and the Social Work profession. Nic and David’s normal developmental processes were impacted negatively by complications regarding Nic’s addiction. Developmental tasks that should have been solidified in Nic’s adolescence include: “learning to get along with friends of both sexes, accepting one 's physical body and keeping it healthy, becoming more self-sufficient, making decisions about marriage and family life, preparing for a job or career, acquiring a set of values to guide behavior, and becoming socially responsible” (Havighurst, 2014). Because of addiction, Nic
Adolescent and Family Systems Paper
12/15/14
“A lot of people think that addiction is a choice. A lot of people think it 's a matter of will. That has not been my experience. I don 't find it to have anything to do with strength.”
- Matthew Perry The novels, Tweak by Nic Sheff and Beautiful Boy by David Sheff have shed an enormous amount of light on a topic that most of the population tries to avoid and pretend doesn’t exist: drug addiction. These novels are both compelling and haunting. They leave the reader anxiously turning each page, unable to read quick enough. Both sides of a drug addiction story, the addicts and the families of addicts, are told with deep sincerity and powerful insight. Because of these novels countless of people have a changed perspective towards addiction, sobriety, and strength. Addicts are not solely comprised of their addiction and addiction does not equal strength. People should not be ashamed to talk about their life story, Nic Sheff explained that “[He’s] come to discover that holding on to secrets about who [he is] and where [he came] from is toxic. [His] secrets will kill [him]” (Sheff, N., 2009, p.322). These novels have challenged society’s “hush, hush” mentality about addiction, and have brought an intimate insight into how addicts and families of addicts think and feel. This information will greatly change addiction treatment, therapy, and the Social Work profession. Nic and David’s normal developmental processes were impacted negatively by complications regarding Nic’s addiction. Developmental tasks that should have been solidified in Nic’s adolescence include: “learning to get along with friends of both sexes, accepting one 's physical body and keeping it healthy, becoming more self-sufficient, making decisions about marriage and family life, preparing for a job or career, acquiring a set of values to guide behavior, and becoming socially responsible” (Havighurst, 2014). Because of addiction, Nic
References: Havighurst, R. (n.d.). DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS OF ADOLESCENCE. Retrieved December10, 2014, from http://www.wvdhhr.org/bph/modules/man/man-res3.htm Perry, M. (n.d.). Quotes. Retrieved December 10, 2014, from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/matthew_perry.html#e8xaG1VKHMWiQRXf.99 Sheff, D. (2009). Beautiful boy: A father 's journey through his son 's addiction. Boston: Mariner Books. Sheff, N. (2009). Tweak: (growing up on methamphetamines). New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers. Sponsorship. (2004, January 1). Retrieved December 10, 2014, from https://www.na.org/admin/include/spaw2/uploads/pdf/litfiles/us_english/IP/EN3111.pdf Steenrod, S. (Director) (2014, October 1). Alcohol and the Family PowerPoint. Lecture conducted from, Salem, Massachusetts. Weinberg, N. (2001). Risk Factors for Adolescent Substance Abuse. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 34(4), 343