Since writing last week about my son Jack’s addiction and first steps in recovery, I’ve been inspired and humbled and deeply moved by the stories so many of you have shared, both here on the website and in private emails. This conversation, still ongoing, is a beautiful, necessary reminder that we are all connected — not only by our struggles but also in our hope for our loved ones and in our compassion for one another’s challenging, complicated journeys.
Our culture is obsessed with perfection – and with hiding our problems. But what a liberating thing it is to realize that our private battles are, in fact, universal. And that they are also our richest opportunities for being able to fully share in both the grief and the joys of others.
And so, in that spirit of compassion, I would like to share with you an intimate, courageous book that made a profound impression on me.
Last May a reader of The Gift of an Ordinary Day wrote to say that my book had been “a balm” to her “roughened mother’s soul.” D’Anne went on to reveal that she’d come to cherish life’s quiet, mundane moments by way of a different path: “My 23-year-old son is three years clean from Oxy and heroin.”
D’Anne has written about her family’s experience in a profoundly revealing, quietly instructive memoir called Saving Jake: When Addiction Hits Home. As she explains, “Too few books have been written by parents battling the disease of addiction, while meanwhile an epidemic of prescription drug abuse leading to heroin in our youth rages on.”
I will admit that I read much of this utterly harrowing, ultimately heartening book through tears. Tears of recognition. Tears of empathy. Tears that came simply from knowing, “This could be me.”
I will also admit that once I started, I couldn’t put Saving Jake down. D’Anne Burwell writes with a novelist’s gift for dialogue and detail. The result is a riveting story that held me in its grip even as it changed many of my assumptions about addiction and recovery.
And then there’s this: D’Anne could easily be my best friend — or yours. With every page, I thought how with a few different strokes of fate, her story could be my story, or any family’s story. In fact, it’s a story that’s unfolding in some variation right now in thousands of homes across the country.
Smart, engaging, athletic, Jake seems bound for success. When his grades begin to slip, when he withdraws from sports and his active family, his parents are concerned but realistic: teenagers need their space. And Jake is adept at coming up with one reasonable story after another. But it doesn’t take long for his life to spiral downward. Experiments with marijuana soon lead to OxyContin. Addicted to heroin within a year of leaving home for college, he drops out of school, walks out of rehab, and winds up homeless on the streets of Boulder.
I stood gripping my kitchen countertop, taking short panting breaths, feeling as if I’d been squeezed inside the darkest tunnel. My son’s lies and excuses had obscured that his life was falling apart. I’d suddenly strung it all together—the soot on his forehead, the hollowed-out Bic pens, the wadded up foil, the ruined finances. My nineteen-year-old son was addicted to OxyContin.
Struggling with fear, guilt, and a desperate desire to help her son, D’Anne must also confront new fissures in her marriage, her husband’s own anger and confusion, and their daughter’s depression. The disease of addiction affects them all, forever reshaping the dynamics of their close-knit family life.
Meanwhile, engaged in a fierce battle to save her child, D’Anne learns of the terrifying links between prescription drug abuse and skyrocketing heroin use among teenagers and young adults – kids from good backgrounds, solid families, and loving homes whose lives are nevertheless quietly, tragically spinning out of control.
Twice now I’ve watched my son spiral down into skin and bones, hollow eyes, and an empty soul. Powerlessness is tearing my heart apart.
With a flair for the quiet drama of real life, D’Anne Burwell traces each step of Jake’s journey from typical American high schooler to homeless addict who’s exhausted every option but one: the ultimate choice between life or death. And in the process she shares her own painful education as she comes to understand that to save her child she must step back and allow him to fight for his own soul.
As soon as I finished reading Saving Jake last spring, I brought the manuscript (as yet unpublished) over to a close friend whose own son is in recovery from heroin addiction. Taking the book from my hands she looked at me and asked, through sudden tears, “Does this boy live? Because I don’t think I can read this if he doesn’t.”
Jake is one of the lucky ones. He does live, but his survival is not a foregone conclusion. Many of our kids don’t make it. If you have teenagers in your life, you already know: these are confusing times and everyone is vulnerable. Life changes in a moment. Addiction is a disease. And no one is immune.
I do think that if every parent were to read this book, however, we would have a much better sense of what we’re up against. Our kids and our families might have a better chance. Knowledge is power, after all. And D’Anne Burwell has done a great deal of homework. Her brave, compelling book removes the shame and silence from addiction and brings the truth of this epidemic into clear focus. If your child is struggling, you will find companionship and comfort in these pages. And if you are struggling, D’Anne’s own journey of recovery will offer you a first-hand portrayal of what it means to detach with love.
In fact, the hard-earned wisdom of Saving Jake is a gift to anyone who has ever loved a child, harbored hope for another’s healing, or come to the hard realization that the only life we can save is our own.
enter to win a signed copy
Saving Jake was the 2015 USA BEST BOOK AWARDS winner in the category of Health: Addiction and Recovery. D’Anne Burwell has kindly agreed to sign two copies of her book, for two of my readers. To enter to win, simply leave a note in the comment section below. You can share a quote that has inspired you on your own journey. You can offer a reflection. Or you can just say “count me in.” Two winners will be chosen at random after 10 p.m. on Friday, February 26.
Want to read now? To order Saving Jake from Amazon, click here. (This is an Amazon affiliate link.)
Count me in please and thank you!
Everyday is a challenge….rule your mind before your mind rules you. as soon as I see my mind ruling me, I stop and regroup. Stay strong, everyone.
Count me in
I applaud D’Anne for her honesty and strength in writing this book. In 2010, as my 16 year old daughter was spiralling downward, I had no idea what I was witnessing. As did Jake, my daughter had an answer for everything. While she is also “one of the lucky ones”, this book would have saved me months of heartache and fear, and would have spared her some bad memories and undeserving shame. No doubt, your book will save lives.
Sounds like a must read. You steer us to so many enlightening resources. Thank you
Thought- provoking review – thank you for sharing! A must read for sure!
Thankful for moms willing to share their stories.
will be reading this. It is a huge problem everywhere
Thank you for offering this book to your readers! Count me in.
I have 4 children and I’m always worrying about their lives. One small mistake ………
Count me in! Thank you
always a blessing to read others’ experience, strength and hope (that includes yours, katrina!) my son’s father is 7 years sober, and my son will turn 9 this month. i want to enter his teenage years with as much understanding of these dynamics as humanly possible, so i appreciate the recommendation!
Going to read- count me in
Please include me in the draw. thanks
This heartbreaking story has become epidemic enough to draw the attention of presidential candidates. Addiction is a disease. Cancer and AIDS can now be openly talked about and confronted without shame; we must do the same for addiction. Books like this will help the conversation.
Count me in.
Count me in❤️Thank you
Count me in, please. I would love to win this book for my Aunt who is currently fighting this fight for her son and my cousin. She fights for understanding everyday on his behalf and it is a constant uphill battle. Addiction IS a disease and we need to stop hiding the real facts. Thank you so much for such a generous giveaway. Blessings to all …
Thank you for your true words.
Yes please..this is an epidemic and it is hitting those of us who thought if we did the right things, we would be immune. It is frightening and I will take any insight I can to make any impact in protecting my kids from addiction.
As the mom of a 16-year-old daughter who is on the High Honor Roll, but hates school, I worry all the time. Drugs and alcohol are big with her age group. So scary. Would love to read this book. And my thoughts and prayers are with every mom who struggles through all the rough parts of parenting.
Please count me in.
Thank you
Thank you for reminding those of us who work with addiction, homelessness and mental health that there are real people, souls and families suffering behind the rants, the cursing, the lying and sometimes the criminal acts. It Shakes us back to reality to stop and listen and love.
Count me in. Thank you!
Wishing I had seen this years ago–still struggling with the idea that my son is/was addicted–and not sure what the outcome is at the moment. Seems as though we all are on a path that takes us places we don’t wish to know, let alone walk. Perhaps reading this is a must for any parent…no matter what the age of the child. Mine is 39 and I pray continuing to do better than he was at 34.
Thank you for sharing!
You always point me to issues and ideas that are important, that I care about. Count me in.
I appreciated waking up to this writing! Thank you and all others for sharing. We are together in this journey- it makes it so much more bearable. Peace.
Thank you for sharing. Count me in.
Our daughter is 90 days clean and sober following 12 years of addiction to first marijuana with methamphetamine use in the last eight months of her drug use. She has a three-year-old child. We too missed the signs despite having knowledge and experience with addictions. once we found out the truth of her use, which wasn’t until very shortly before she entered treatment, we were totally honest with people when they asked how she was doing. What amazed me was how often we were met with an “us too” response. Let us all be open and honest and support one another, instead of hiding and smiling and inwardly fearing and despairing. We are in this together and all of us are affected whether directly in our family or extended family or by the sheer cost to our children’s generation of lost souls and lives.
Thank you for sharing this. I am living this nightmare right now with my son. Prayers and love always.
Count me in. Thank you so much for your honesty.
When are the drug companies who created these opiate drugs without enough warning of potential addiction, going to take some responsibility in this fight. So many families need help and support.
Count me in — raising children is challenging beyond anything else I have done. Words of wisdom and knowledge can only help. Thank you!
Please count me in. My family has also been touched by the horror of addiction.
As the mother of a 22 yo recovering addict I know the terror and trauma of living with this disease. My son has been clean 14 months now after having gone thru treatment twice and spending Christmas 2014 in jail ( yes we could have gotten him out-but no we didn’t). There have been times we thought death would be kinder…. If you’ve loved an addict you will understand this. We know he has a disease that may kill him if he makes one wrong choice.
He is such pure joy when he is clean~ he terrifies me when he is using. But today he is clean and we are grateful beyond words.
unfortunately my son didn’t make it, and yet it helps me to see that there are people who do. I’m looking forward to reading this book, because reading about others helps me to face the issues that contributed to my own past.
Thank you for this generous and exquisite offer. Grateful for honest and wholehearted stories that share both how we disconnect from ourselves, each other and the divine and paths of devotion back to these layered and woven connections. We are together on this journey through addiction, through life. So much love to you.
Count me in. Thank you.
I am the sister of a heroin addict and daughter of a recovering alcoholic. My mom and I are always looking for things to read to make us feel not so alone. This book is something my family and I can connect to and that I can pass along to others that I know are affected by addiction as well. Addiction affects everyone touched by it and can turn families lives upside down. I applaud D-Anne for having the courage to write about this as this is something I feel that my family constantly has to hide. I have been searching for a book like this and can’t wait to start reading.
I don’t have children of my own but I have an adult step-son & a toddler step-grandson. It is frightening how much we love them but how much of their well being is simply out of our “control.” I am eager to read this book. Thank you.
Please count me in. I have four children, and addiction (alcoholism) runs in our family. Thank you so much for your books, your blog, your honesty, your beautiful words, your inspiration, your gift of hope…..everything. Your words always touch a deep part of my soul, and I find such strength and hope in your writings. Praying for you, Jack, the rest of your family, and all who suffer from addiction. Peace.
please count me in. As a mother of 3 boys, 2 of them teenagers – I am always worrying and not naive to think that this couldn’t happen in my family-
thank you,
Once I read:”When it rains look for Rainbows; when it’s dark look for stars.” And it stuck with me. It reminded me of: “To enjoy the rainbow you have to put up with the rain.” In my depressions and moments of emotional distress, I always remember that I have to hold on, and always look for my “rainbows and stars.” Meaning that we have to work through the pain, hold on in this journey, and in the end it can only get better — and we will have our rainbows and stars.
Thank you Katrina, and everyone for sharing and making me aware that I am not alone, that we are not alone.
I know for sure that when it seems that everything is lost, that we think we are not going to make it, or someone is not going to make it, it’s the grace of God that is keeping us/them going.
Thank you, please include me.
Please count me in. Thank you, Katrina, for always inspiring me! Peace, Anne
Sounds wonderful! Please count me in.
Please count me in.
Please count me in. Thank you!!
Thank you. Today it is calm. It is the tomorrow’s I wonder about.
There are so many addictions that plague our children. If only we could “love” them to health and happiness, we can not. Still on the journey . . .
Count me in. Thank you Julie
This is one of my worst fears for my child. As a young adult, I knew of, and came in contact with, several people who had drug addictions, some of them friends. I have often wondered if I would spot the signs of trouble, or what I would do to help her.
Thank you for this offer. Count me in.
As a mom of two teenagers and one quickly approaching his teenage years, I am terrified at the thought of drugs. I too have see my son’s fellow football players in out and of rehab at 17 years old. I believe we need to be informed and have our eyes open because these are OUR kids…our happy, well adjusted, athletic, popular, kids. God bless the parents who are struggling.
I would love my niece to read this book, she has a 13 year old daughter
and 12 year old triplets and is already struggling with peer pressure
and bullying, I think this book could give her a heads up as to what is
out there.
Thanks Katrina for sharing this……
Sounds like a hard but beatiful book. I have lived this struggle and come out the other side. But not without scars.
One of the hardest questions of this life is “How can I help my child through this trial?” I would love to have a copy of the book.
Please count me in and thank you for sharing this book with your readers.
I am a mother of 4 grown children. My oldest son is a heroin addict. It has been a n isolating journey for me. Addiction has brought with it these added things: tears every day, depression, financial ruin, humiliation, judgement, distrust, poor health, jail, countless hit and runs with no clue as to where they happened, broken relationships. Addiction has brought havoc on my family. We are now in the process of trying to rebuild our lives somehow. We need all the help we can get. Thanks to all who share their experiences with this and not their judgement.
Count me in.
Your books and posts have soothed me for years. My “children” are now young adults, and my 22 year old son has struggled for four years with layers of medical and mental health challenges. What began with relentless medical issues has led to severe anxiety/panic and depression, and over the past two years a fall back on marijuana which ultimately contributes to his cycle of sickness. He is about to enter his third treatment center, and I am holding on to what now feels like strands of hope that he can find his way back to health – beyond sickness and addiction. Your post of your son’s addiction, and the comments shared here as a result, and the sharing of another mother’s journey with her son has touched me in ways beyond words – I am extremely grateful for this. My thanks to you, D’Anne and your readers for contributing to this mother’s journey with warmth and understanding!
Such a profound topic that touches us all. Thanks for bringing this book to our attention Katrina! Sending love.
Yes please – count me in for a chance to win what sounds like a life saving book! Thanks to you and D’Anne for baring your mother souls and helping the rest of us!!!
Count me in! As the mother of a 16 year old, sophomore boy, the myriad of dark influences that my son experiences daily results in my constant struggle to be truly present in his daily life…….even then, all the love, encouragement and being present……I know is not a guarantee that he will not fall “pry” to one of these negative predators that lurk in the wings. I hold out hope and pray for God’s grace everyday Thank you all for sharing your journeys!
Count me in, thank you
Count me in, Katrina. It sounds like such an important book, one that will surely help many families.
With all that I read and people that I know and even in my own family it would be great to read another’s perspective of going through the ordeals and still living life as a child struggles with addiction. Sounds like a book worth sharing with many. Count me in. Thank you
Thank you for so many things, but especially this. My nephew is spiraling down and I want to send his parents a copy of “Saving Jake”, as well as read it myself.
Please count me in. Thank you for sharing.
Please count me in…thank you…..
While reading your post about this amazing book, I could feel my chest constricting and my breath go shallow. My 20 year old daughter suffers from anxiety and depression. She is currently on medication, and I fear all the time that she could turn to drugs as a way of coping. There was a time when all I wanted for my daughter was for her to be happy. Now, all I want for her is a healthy mind. We, too, have not told everyone about our daughter’s struggles. As far as we have come, the stigma attached to mental illness still exists. Thankfully, through the books, blogs and discussions such attitudes are changing.
Thank you and D’Anne for sharing. Please count me in.
Have you read “Beautiful Boy: A Father’s Journey Through His Son’s Addiction” by David Sheff? The story is so gripping, raw and real.
Please count me in. I’d love a copy of “Saving Jake”
Thank you. Good luck to your beautiful boy on his journey.
Thank you Katrina for bringing D’Anne’s story to our attention. Coming from an addictive family, this book definitely needs to be included in my reading list. Count me in please.
Count me in, please. .
Tomorrow, our town , that you knew so well, will bury yet another young person who’s life has been lost because of involvement with drugs. There have been too many such losses.
I feel honored that you choose to share your journey. I hold you dear and wish you hope and strength.
Please count me in & thank you, Katrina x
So grateful for parents who have the courage to share their story. My 17 year old boy is on a good path (I believe and hope), but has taken some detours in earlier years. God bless our young people; it’s a challenging time to grow up!
“Let Go, and Let God!” My soul is weary, but I have journeyed through a difficult 5 years, and believe I see a light through the darkness. I remain “cautiously optimistic”; which is a term I use often, that she is on a great path to a successful, healthy future. “There but for the grace of God go I”…indeed! One of my favorite sayings. One more…”Life is what happens while we are busy making other plans!” Thank you everyone for sharing bits of your soul, and stories. We must remove the shame, so no one has to go through this alone! I sought professional psychotherapy to help me as a mother come to terms with life on life’s terms. It saved my life. Namaste! XO!
Count me in. Thank you.
Please count me in.
thank you …. I would love to gift the youth pastor of our fellowship with this precious book ..
Please include me in this drawing as well.
Thank you for sharing your story and the story of Jake. Friends share the sad times as well as the happy ones and we all need the support for each and every crises. I have not faced this problem, but I have eight grandchildren between the ages of 10 and 20. We all need to be informed. Count me in.
I would love to read this important book, please enter me in the drawing!
I am forever thankful to moms who share their stories. It makes us all feel less alone.
Count me in
I’m hoping my entire family will read this book. Both of my sons fought the devil and came out survivors. No one could have ever convinced me to detach from my boys, but that was what I ended up doing for my own survival. My mantra “Let Go, Let God” saved my sons and my family. I now take nothing for granted. One day at a time – live today and let tomorrow take care of itself.
Count me in.
“It is in the shelter of each other that we truly live.”
-An Irish Proverb
I will read the book regardless of how I acquire it. And I am comforted to join this “club” of women/mothers fighting the disease of addiction. The sharing of this topic is uncanny in its timing in my life. What causes my heartache is the fact that my mother love is unable to “fix it” . He can only do that himself. I know his compulsive addictive drinking is only an outward manifestation of his inner anguish. . .and so I detach with love and continue to hope and hope and hope. . .
Count me in! And many thanks for sharing, K
Addiction affects everyone. As a mother of 4, I am eager to learn from experience of others. Please count me in. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing and I would like to be included in the drawing.
The book sounds compelling. I look forward to reading it.
I wonder if you or any of your readers have read Beautiful Boy? If not it is also a must read. It’s the fathers account of his sons addiction. The son goes on to write a follow up book. Incredible read. I wish all your readers peace of mind and heart while being brave thru a journey that you didn’t buy a ticket for.
Count me in
Sounds like an amazing book.
Count me in
Please count me in!
Also, I love the image below of the lady releasing two birds from the birdcage! It is so freeing if and when you are able to let go . . .
We can all close our eyes to what is going on with our children. I tried, my husband still is. I would love to have a copy of Saving Jake. Sounds like the 2 of you, strong women, may have so much to offer. Thank you.
Count me in. When we are brave enough to share our struggles, we realize we are not alone. Prayers to all.
Count me in. Blessings and gratitude to you, Katrina, and your son, Jack for sharing your story. You have touched so many – you will never know the ripple effect it will have, but it will be great.
Mary Ann
I would love to read your book! Count me in 🙂
Count me in please. Thank you.
What a brave woman to write so honestly and openly. You are so right – what a relief to see that our secrets are universal.
The meaning to detach with love.
We all have demons we must conquer. I am so thankful for those who are brave enough to share their journeys and by doing so help others.
Yes please, I’d love to read this.
Count me in, prayers to you and your family. XO
This is something I think about often. I live in a community where addiction is a huge issue. I struggle thinking “What can I do now for my sons (twins, age 8) that might help them with these issues in the future? Is there anything??” It feels scary and I feel helpless. This sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you!
I’m crying just reading your words above, Katrina. I am in the throes of parental angst with my 17-yr-old twin boys and have never prayed so much in my life. Thank you so very much for sharing your story and for continuing this difficult and painful conversation with us.
Thank you for highlighting this book. I hope to win, but am determined to read it either way.
A friend shared this video: https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong?language=en
I’ve found it eye-opening and thought provoking but it has still left me with so many questions. Why do some not connect when connection is offered? How do I steel my sons from this path, when their genetics on both side lean toward addiction?
Thank you again for your bravery in sharing your story and your words.
Count me in. I have teenage grandchildren who all appear happy and healthy. But what rumbles beneath the surface? Middle School and High School can be painfully difficult to navigate. COUNT ME IN. And BRAVO, D’Anne.
“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.” Really could use the book right now! Thank you!
Please count me in! this book sounds amazing – too many of us hide our struggles & pretend perfection – which only makes it harder on those who struggle
Just starting this journey, I don’t know anything about it, but learning, thank you for writing this book, I would appreciate a copy, I need all the help I can get right now, and this would be a gift from you to me for my birthday in Feb 28, love and prayers to all
This is inspiring, I would love to read this book. My daughter is struggling now with pill addiction. She’s become verbally abusive and so angry. I’ve learned to not be a enabler. It’s so hard when it’s you’re own child and you can’t do anything to save them. They have to want to save themselves. Pill addiction has become a huge epidemic and I’ve heard a lot about it leading to using herion. It’s cheaper and same kind of high I guess. I hope this ends soon it’s breaking my heart. I’m still there for her emotionally, when she’s ready my arms are wide open. my love
Of my 5 children 1 of my daughters is an addict and 1 is an alcoholic. I would love a copy of your book. Thank you for making this possible. I look forward to reading and sharing this amazing book.
I’m currently going through something similar. My daughter is addicted to pain pills. Any king she can get her hands on. She’s become verbally abusive and a very angry person. I’ve learned not to enable, but i’m there for her emotionally. When she’s ready to get help my arms are wide open, my love. I pray for her every morning and night. We’re very close but I don’t alow myself around her when she’s high. I would love to read this book.
Please Count Me In. Thank you
Count me in
How brave to share this painful story. My brother-in-law is an addict, and it has affected everyone in the family.
Addiction touches us all.
Please count me in. My son has been clean for almost 7 years and I NEVER take it for granted. Blessings to you.
A friend of mine recently lost her 30-year-old son to heroin addiction. Please count me in.
A dear friend of mine is open and honest about her son’s heroin addiction and struggles to overcome it and I would love to win this book to gift to her.
Dealing with addiction in my family, would love to read this, anything that gives some insight into this terrible disease. Thank you.
Please count me in. Thank you.
Please count me in. My son is 23 and battles with depression and drug use. Thank you.
Oh My, I have goose bumps just reading the post about the book.
Thank you.
There is a movie called Lorenzo’s Oil that I think about where a dad searched for solutions for his son’s illness that I relate to as I search for solutions to my son’s addiction.
Please.
Count me in. I have 2 children that are addicted.
Count me in as well. Lost my brother on May 2 of 2015. Addiction leaves such a wake of destruction. Prayers for all.
I’d like to enter. Have 14 year old stepson that has an addictive family.
My best friend lost her son to a Fenytal overdose. My son is 10 years drug free. Count me in!
I have your book A Gift of an Ordinary Day and it is really a gift to read .. I have two children and I could see that happening to me too .soon . Would Love to get this book too – so count me in !
Thank you and God bless
My heart goes out to all our children suffering from drug addiction. I will fight forever for Adam.
Prayer for Those Addicted to Drugs
Vienna Cobb Anderson
Most loving God,
we ask your blessing upon all
who suffer from addiction.
Strengthen them to reach out for help.
Enable them to take the first step to recovery.
Bless them with the persistence to persevere
in the fight to be free.
Give courage and hope to their families,
drawing them close together
in the power of your love,
which alone can transform our living.
Amen.
Count me in please 😊
Please count me in!!! The struggle is real still to this day feb 20 2016
Count me in.
Please count me in… I’m living a Nightmare !!! My dream is 2 help others even if I can’t save my own child at this moment …. I will not give up tho <3
My son’s favorite verses as he spent seven months in recovery: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Please count me in.
I have lived this life, now almost 3 years clean.
Living this nightmare… one day at a time. Please, count me in.
Please count me in
Please count me in.
We are responsible for our effort not the outcome.
Count me in
Count me in I lost my 21 year son Nick just over 1 yr ago Nov 19th 2014 and I need to know there’s more I can do now for his friends who are still in the grip of addictions. I’ve been in recovery from alcohol for over 20 years, but I couldn’t save my husband or my son from this horrible disease. I want to read this book with some kind of hope for the future and for myself and my older son Sean. Thank you!
Please count me in. Xo
count me in
Please count me in
Count me in! Thanks so much!!!
Do you feel this book is appropriate for someone who has already lost a child to this? Would it be any way beneficial ? There is so much heart ache for everyone around this topic. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Dee. I think that depends very much on whether the person is seeking the consolation of being reminded that many other parents are on this path, and that in the end an addict’s survival depends on many factors — sheer luck being high on the list. One thing D’Anne’s book brings home is the fact that it’s the child’s battle to fight, not the parents’, and that love isn’t enough to save someone, no matter how much we want to believe that it is. The great tragedy of heroin addiction is that some survive and heal and others don’t — and it’s not about goodness, or willpower, or love. Addiction is a brutal disease and it steals lives.
Count me In. …….. For all the times I can’t love my son enough to help him!
I would absolutely love to be blessed with a copy of this…Share without Shame!
Thank you for helping to shed light on this serious issue.
Count me in.
Please count me in. Katrina, your books have been my inspiration and reassurance as I’ve raised my sons. 16 & 13 and so vulnerable. Thank you for sharing your story, along with D’Anne’s. You are 100% correct that the perception of being perfect and having the perfect life is what most people are concerned with. No one is perfect. A strong person takes the first step by acknowledging they have a problem and asking for help. Courage, faith, love. You & your family are in my thoughts. I would be humbled to receive an autographed copy of D’Anne’s book. Neither of you is alone in this battle. Sharing your stories helps all of us raising children in today’s world.
I’m in tears just reading this post. It’s about my life. My 23 year old son, recovering heroin addict. Clean for 6 months, doing great now. One day at a time… Thank you for sharing this; I’m looking forward to reading D’Anne’s book, and would love to receive a copy to share with others who have shared this journey with me.
Thank you, Katrina, for this beautiful blog and for sharing my book, Saving Jake, with your readers. “The quiet drama of real life” has indeed affected so many of us. I know well how thousands are struggling, yet each day when I checked back to read the comments here, I felt overwhelmed anew. I also felt heartened to keep on speaking out about this horrible drug epidemic, to continue to raise awareness of what’s happening, to comfort a parent if I can, and to remind myself to savor my son’s recovery. I cannot describe the joy I feel when Jake walks in my front door, clear-eyed, strong and sweet, and gives me a big hug. I am SO lucky which fuels me to work to help those who aren’t. Thank you all for sharing here, I hold you in my heart.
Count me in. As law enforcement we encounter this almost daily and we struggle with the criminal side and the real person side..this is a person who has family and loved ones who want them well. And the underlying knowledge that our own children are facing this risk. It’s a struggle.
I received my copy of Saving Jake today. Thank you so much for this Great gift. I can’t wait to get started reading it. I’m truly blessed!!
I also received my complimentary signed copy of the book Saving Jake! I plan on reading it in a couple of weeks when I have some time off from work.
Thanks so much for your kindness.
We are all in this together!
God Bless
There is so much love and so much pain in travelling the journey of addiction with someone you love. Count me in.
Congratulations to Anita and Roxanne, winners of the signed copies of Saving Jake. And big thanks to D’Anne Burwell for sharing her story with us and for offering books to my readers. Although the books have been won, I hope many others choose to order Saving Jake at the link in the blue box above. Thank you to all for reading and entering!