Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

I can understand Brian not wanting to take about forgetting about the cat. That would be something it would be had to forgive yourself for and talking about it might trigger more pain. This is good information for addicts.

 Comment Written 12-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Jul-2024

I think it was important for Raffi to encourage him to talk about it. I think all the kids can benefit from telling and hearing their stories. It lets' them know they aren't alone with their problems.

Comment from Tom Horonzy

Excellent

and the beat goes on, and I am glad I heard/read this continuing sage.
Not much more to add. I thought it kept pace with the previous chapter as well as other readers interest.

 Comment Written 12-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Jul-2024

Thanks, Tom. A couple more chapters at rehab, then we'll be on to other things.

reply by Tom Horonzy on 12-Jul-2024

I wait with baited (?) or bated (?) breath, which I cannot spare. I mean how many do we get in a lifetime?

Comment from Wayne Fowler

Excellent

Brian's addiction is probably pretty normal across the U.S. My experience with addicts is not as clean and tidy. The ones I knew just wanted high and became addicted.
Nicely written. Good story progress.

 Comment Written 12-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Jul-2024

Thanks, Wayne. That sounds like the worst kind--when there's no real motivating factor for getting started but just the desire to get high. Those folks may not have much in their lives that give them pleasure, so they resort to drugs and alcohol. It will be harder for them to kick the addiction.

reply by Wayne Fowler on 12-Jul-2024

My best friend, who was a solid, devout Christian, owned his own upholstery business. As a youth he used speed. Wanting to work all night, someone talked him into taking meth, an amphetamine that supposed =ly did the same thing as speed. He was instantly hooked. It ruined him. Loss of everything, including his freedom, and then his life.

reply by the author on 12-Jul-2024

That is really sad. Some drugs you shouldn't take even once. If he had known what could happen, he probably never would have tried it. That's why drug education is so important.

Brian will learn that lesson by accident later in the story.

Comment from tfawcus

Exceptional

Glad to a six left for this harrowing chapter. Told with great intensity of feeling and insight. The shifting reaction of the others in the group acts as an emotional catalyst. Very good writing.

 Comment Written 12-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Jul-2024

I really appreciate getting your last 6, Tony. Strong feelings get expressed in these group meetings. I think they can be a good source of therapy, especially for kids who think they might be the only one with problems. They realize they are not alone.

Comment from Pam Lonsdale

Excellent

Ah, Julia sounds like a soul mate; looking into someone's eyes and expressing true feelings is not an everyday occurrence.

You write these kids well, Jim. The conversations, the group vibe, etc., is believable and engaging.

I'll be on vacation next week, so I may miss a chapter or two. I'll catch up when I get back.

Have a great weekend.

xo
Pam

 Comment Written 12-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Jul-2024

Thanks, Pam. That's a good word for them: soul mates. Glad you're enjoying this and have a great vacation.

Comment from Karen Cherry Threadgill

Excellent

We all hope he does well. I know that I lost part of my life when I was taking prescriptions regularly. Pain meds do not make the pain go away. They dumb you down so you don't care. They wanted to burn off nerve cells, but me on a morphine drip, yada yada. Yes, I can hurt like the blazes on occasion. But mostly I keep busy using my brain, and distract myself from the hurty bits. :-)

 Comment Written 12-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Jul-2024

That's an important point, Karen. Pain meds do not make the pain go away. Raffi expounds on this some more in the next chapter.

I think your solution to the pain problem is a good one--keep your mind busy so you don't have time to dwell on it. Plus, the endorphins that are produced when you're doing something you love are natural pain-killers.

reply by Karen Cherry Threadgill on 12-Jul-2024

I hope iot keeps working like this

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Well, it seems that Brian's sharing his painful experiences and how guilty he feels about Chloe's death, has allowed him to connect with the other group members, especially with Julia. Something is stirring between them!

 Comment Written 12-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Jul-2024

Oh, yes. Although their problems arose in different ways, they ended up in the same place and can relate to the commonality of the pleasure of the high. We'll see just how far their relationship goes, and if it's safe for two addicts to have one.

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

Awesome story. Realistic dialogue, and well written exchanges. These kids are honest and tell it straight. It would have been very hard for Brian to speak of his distress at the loss of his cat through his own neglect, but it was a significant turning point. Julia will be a support, I am sure.
Wendy

 Comment Written 12-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Jul-2024

Thanks so much, Wendy. I've seen many shows of AA support groups, and they always get the participants to open up and tell their stories. It lets everyone know they are not alone with their problems.

Comment from Pamusart

Excellent

Hi, Jim. I hope you are well.

I would be upset if I killed my cat too. My cats were indoor cats, and I always knew where they were as a consequence.

I always put out dry food and water for the cats. So they never went hungry or thirsty.

But, I've had a few benders myself. So, I suppose I could've let one of them out when I went out the front door. Or, One of them might've scooted outside while I wasn't looking

Julia seems to be the star of the show with Brian close behind. Actually, Brian is a star and Julia is the nerd.

I enjoyed reading your book chapter

Good job. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 11-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Jul-2024

Thank you very much. I think this was a real turning point for Brian that let him know it was getting out of control and he needed help. He will learn some important lessons in rehab.

Comment from Jasmine Girl

Excellent

I know. Oxy addiction is a huge problem here. There are oxy laced cocaine, too that could kill people right away. I think it's time when Ai is about to replace human on many things. What an fast changing era.

Well done.

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 Comment Written 11-Jul-2024

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reply by the author on 12-Jul-2024

Thank you, Lisa. We'll get into some of that lacing later.