43 pages • 1 hour read
Tweak: Growing Up On Methamphetamines
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Book Brief
352
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
California • 2000s
2008
Adult
18+ years
HL770L
Super Short Summary
Tweak by Nic Sheff narrates the author's struggle with substance use disorder during his early 20s, recounting his severe relapses into methamphetamine addiction, numerous treatment programs, and the profound challenges of recovery. Through reflections on his troubled childhood and toxic relationships, Nic strives for sobriety, grapples with mental illness and faith, and ultimately learns that recovery is an ongoing process. Explicit descriptions of substance use, overdose, and mental health crises are present.
Dark
Challenging
Emotional
Unnerving
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
48,913 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Nic Sheff’s memoir, Tweak, is an unflinchingly raw account of his descent into addiction and subsequent journey towards recovery. Critics praise its brutal honesty and immersive narrative, though some find the relentless depiction of drug abuse harrowing. The book’s candid portrayal of relapse and the struggles of sobriety resonate deeply, offering a gripping yet distressing read.
Who Should Read Tweak?
A reader who would enjoy Tweak by Nic Sheff is typically drawn to raw, honest memoirs detailing personal struggles with addiction and recovery. Comparable to James Frey's A Million Little Pieces and Augusten Burroughs' Dry, this audience appreciates gripping, real-life stories that delve into the complexities of overcoming substance abuse and the journey toward redemption.
48,913 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Zelda
Zelda
An older woman from Los Angeles involved with Nic, recognized for her celebrity connections and her complex, tumultuous past.
Spencer
Spencer
Nic's dedicated sponsor in a 12-step program who offers guidance and support, despite Nic’s occasional resentment.
Nic’s Father
Nic’s Father
A prominent journalist whose changing relationship with Nic greatly influences Nic's life and development.
Nic’s Mother
Nic’s Mother
Also a journalist, she lives apart from Nic and influences his romantic choices and emotional struggles.
Karen
Karen
Nic's stepmother, valued by Nic for her personal and parental qualities, though her presence alters his dynamic with his father.
Lauren
Lauren
A high school love interest of Nic who struggles with sobriety and shares a complex relationship with him.
Gack
Gack
A friend and business partner of Nic in San Francisco, linked by shared drug use and aspirations.
352
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
California • 2000s
2008
Adult
18+ years
HL770L
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