The #1 New York Times best-selling addiction memoir and story of a father's love: "A brilliant, harrowing, heartbreaking, fascinating story, full of beautiful moments and hard-won wisdom. This book will save a lot of lives and heal a lot of hearts."—Anne Lamott

What had happened to my beautiful boy? To our family? What did I do wrong? Those are the wrenching questions that haunted David Sheff's journey through his son Nic's addiction to drugs and tentative steps toward recovery.

Before Nic became addicted to crystal meth, he was a charming boy, joyous and funny, a varsity athlete and honor student adored by his two younger siblings. After meth, in this true story of addiction, he was a trembling wraith who lied, stole, and lived on the streets. David Sheff traces the first warning signs: the denial, the three a.m. phone calls—is it Nic? the police? the hospital? His preoccupation with Nic became an addiction in itself. But as a journalist, he instinctively researched every form of rehab and treatment that might save his son. And he refused to give up on Nic.

Now a Major Motion Picture Starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet.

With a new Afterword from the author.

This unflinching memoir, a testament to a father’s love, is a vital read for any family touched by the reality of drug abuse and recovery:

• A Father Son Relationship Under Siege: Follow a father’s harrowing journey as he confronts the wrenching question, “What happened to my beautiful boy?” and refuses to give up on his son.
• The Reality of Crystal Meth Addiction: Witness the devastating transformation of a charming, honor student into a trembling wraith who lies, steals, and lives on the streets.
• Parenting an Addict: Experience the endless cycle of denial, three a.m. phone calls, and the all-consuming search for rehab and treatment options that might save a child.
• A Heartbreaking Family Story: More than just a story of addiction, this is an unforgettable portrait of a family that finds itself in a battle for survival, healing, and hope.

The #1 New York Times best-selling story of addiction and a father's love: "A brilliant, harrowing, heartbreaking, fascinating story, full of beautiful moments and hard-won wisdom. This book will save a lot of lives and heal a lot of hearts."--Anne Lamott What had happened to my beautiful boy? To our family? What did I do wrong? Those are the wrenching questions that haunted David Sheff's journey through his son Nic's addiction to drugs and tentative steps toward recovery. Before Nic became addicted to crystal meth, he was a charming boy, joyous and funny, a varsity athlete and honor student adored by his two younger siblings. After meth, he was a trembling wraith who lied, stole, and lived on the streets. David Sheff traces the first warning signs: the denial, the three a.m. phone calls--is it Nic? the police? the hospital? His preoccupation with Nic became an addiction in itself. But as a journalist, he instinctively researched every treatment that might save his son. And he refused to give up on Nic. Now a Major Motion Picture Starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet. With a new Afterword from the author.

"An honest, hopeful book, coming at a propitious moment in the meth epidemic." Publishers Weekly

"An excellent book that all parents can relate to whatever their children's situation." Library Journal Starred

“Those of us who love an addict — or are addicts ourselves — will find BEAUTIFUL BOY a revelation." — Martin Sheen, actor

"A welcome balm to millions…who thought they were making this journey alone."— Armistead Maupin, author of The Night Listener

"This book is going to save a lot of lives, and help heal…hearts." — Anne Lamott, author of Grace (Eventually)

“…moving, timely, and sobering. It’s also startlingly beautiful." - Sir Richard Branson, chairman, Virgin Group

“An extraordinary story of pain, perseverance and hope.” — William C. Moyers, author of Broken

“…honest, reflective and deeply moving. BEAUTIFUL BOY is about: truth and healing.” — Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia

"For…any one who has ever wrestled with holding on and letting go.” — Thomas Lynch, author of The Undertaking

“A masterpiece of description and feeling…immediate, informative and heartbreaking.” — Susan Cheever, author of Note Found in a Bottle