Sheff is a journalist and the author and narrator of the book. Divorced from Nic’s mother, Vicki, he marries Karen, an artist, with whom he has two children, Jasper and Daisy, Nic’s half-siblings. When Nic is younger, Sheff has an incredibly strong relationship with him. Because of this, he “naively believe[s] that if Nic were tempted to try [drugs], he would tell me” (59), something that proves to be devastatingly inaccurate. This begins a pattern of denial that characterizes much of his initial response to Nic’s addiction, but is gradually eroded by the evidence of Nic’s prolonged addiction and numerous relapses. 

As Nic’s addiction worsens and he spends months and years in and out of rehab, Sheff is desperate to help him. At the same time, Sheff struggles with his own codependency issues, relentless self-blame, and his damaged relationships with family and friends. 

Over the latter portions of the book, he learns to address these issues, finding some separation from Nic’s addiction and learning that he is powerless to help his son. Instead of trying to save Nic, he finds himself watching “the weeks and months of his

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