Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines

Nic Sheff

May 2009 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this eBook

The story that inspired the major motion picture Beautiful Boy featuring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet.

This New York Times bestselling memoir of a young man’s addiction to methamphetamine tells a raw, harrowing, and ultimately hopeful tale of the road from relapse to recovery.

Nic Sheff was drunk for the first time at age eleven. In the years that followed, he would regularly smoke pot, do cocaine and Ecstasy, and develop addictions to crystal meth and heroin. Even so, he felt like he would always be able to quit and put his life together whenever he needed to. It took a violent relapse one summer in California to convince him otherwise. In a voice that is raw and honest, Nic spares no detail in telling us the compelling, heartbreaking, and true story of his relapse and the road to recovery. As we watch Nic plunge into the mental and physical depths of drug addiction, he paints a picture for us of a person at odds with his past, with his family, with his substances, and with himself. It's a harrowing portrait—but not one without hope.

Ratings and reviews

I consider this book my favorite. It's the best. I felt everything Nic described in his memoir. I cried, I smiled, I got angry. It was like I was basically part of Nic's life. I like love you Nic. I love you because I can see how hard you try everyday. I wish one day I can meet you and give you a long tight hug. This is a story that will stay in my memory for the rest of my life. <3 hopefully you'll make a movie soon about this book. :)

As a recovered addict/alcoholic I found this to be so truthful and raw. I see the relapses coming in the book by the actions. When they say...keep it simple...wow don't that hit home! Fame and popularity got me in trouble. I found my peace not having to be the center of attention. To love yourself and focus on continually sharing the message. It works if u work it. Great book. And hope u find peace. It's there....eyes to see and ears to hear. Thanks.

My husband and I are both recovering meth addicts. This book actually made me want to relapse but I didn't. I have too much to lose. It gave me insight into all the addicts I've dated and why they used me and treated me the way they did. Nobody is perfect. I have so much respect for Nic admitting and knowing his faults and working through them.

About the author

Nic Sheff is the author of two memoirs about his struggles with addiction: the New York Times bestselling Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines and We All Fall Down: Living with Addiction. Nic lives in Los Angeles, California where he writes for film and television.