Tweak: Growing Up on
Methamphetamines
by Nic Sheff

    TWEAK by Nic Sheff
    Category:  Non-Fiction
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  2/5/08
    Publisher:  Ginee Seo
    Reviewed by:  coollibrarianchick
    Rating:  4 Stars


    Methamphetamine use, commonly known on the street as crystal, tweak, the New Prozac, and crank, has become
    a growing problem in the U.S. in the last several years. From what I have read, there is no worse drug addiction
    than crystal meth. It not only affects the person using but the personal relationships they have, as well. It is not just
    my humble opinion when I tell you that these drugs have the power to kill or cause great harm. A great example
    would be Nic Sheff, the author of TWEAK. At an early age, just a babe himself, Nick had his first taste of drugs
    and alcohol. Drug use escalated in Nic’s case – he went from just smoking pot to abusing cocaine, heroin, and
    crystal meth. For over a decade, on and off, Nic used drugs. The book opens up with a bang - Nic relapsing after
    18 months of being clean and sober.

    You can call TWEAK a young adult book if you like, since Nic is a young adult, just in his twenties, but in actuality
    it is a book that will appeal to any age level, young and old alike. Teens will definitely gravitate to Nic’s story
    because of the fact that it is someone about their age using drugs, and they can relate to it (maybe not completely
    but on some level). The general public may find it of interest, because it will give them an insight into the mind of an
    addict. Perhaps a reader may find comfort in this story, knowing that he is not alone.

    It occurred to me as I was reading TWEAK that the book was like a cleanser for Nic; a way to cleanse his soul.
    Writing TWEAK couldn’t have been easy for him, as Nic had to relive everything he did and put it down on paper.
    Some of what I read admittedly shocked me. I can't imagine what goes inside an addict's mind. The book was so
    honest; at times I ached for him.  Other times I wanted to strangle him for what he was doing to himself and his
    family.  I hate to say that I didn't think his clean and sober status was going to last very long.  It was as if it was too
    good to be true.  At the end of the book, we learn that Nic is now clean and dealing with his demons on an
    everyday basis. I expect that this is not going to be an easy road for him or for his family.

    Everybody participates in addictive behavior in some way or another. Some people believe that people get involved
    in addictive behaviors because they are reckless, self-absorbed, and have no self-control. For the most part, I
    stand in the camp that believes that drug and alcohol addictions are diseases. You may choose to get treatment, but
    once an addict always an addict.  Nic is never going to escape the addict label even if he does remain clean the rest
    of his life.  

    Nic’s father, David Sheff, also has written a book about meth addiction. BEAUTIFUL BOY looks at Nic’s
    addiction through the eyes of a parent. Mary Pipher, a psychologist and the renowned author of the book
    REVIVING OPHELIA, says on the jacket of David Sheff’s book: “When one of us tells the truth, he makes it
    easier for all of us to open our hearts to our pain and that of others.”  Good reason to read Nic’s book and
    his father’s. Pick up your copies today.