Journal Two Response: "My Addicted Son"

In reading David Sheff's "My Addicted Son" I learned a great deal about writing a powerful memoir that contains numerous elements that appeals towards an audience. Sheff's article was extremely powerful and moving, containing exponential amounts of pathos, an emotional appeal, which allowed for an easy feeling of empathy to encumber its reader. Sheff detailed his son’s battle with multiple drugs and addictions throughout his article, often including the grisly details and descriptions that go along with any addiction. Sheff did not sugarcoat the topic or make it any easier to take in and understand, which I believe added to the article's commanding message.

This story is extremely relevenat to today’s society in that addiction is all around us, everyday. So many celebrities are glorified in magazines and articles for their drug addictions and attempts at rehabilitation. Ask anyone and I guarantee they know someone, somehow that is currently battling or has battled an addiction in the past. Addiction is ruthless and apathetic and will stop at nothing to destroy a person from the inside out. Addiction is universal and it is for this reason that the audience of this article is everybody. Every person knows addiction, whether they themselves are the addict, struggling daily to overcome incredible temptations, or if the reader is the observer: the person that is stuck, helplessly watching another struggle with an internal battle raging inside, leading to their own self-inflicted demise.

The point of David Sheff’s story is to illustrate addiction, in its most raw and gruesome state. However, Sheff’s story carries a deeper meaning. Sheff not only portrays his son’s addiction but also details his own involvement with the disease. The author never gave up on his son and continued to reach out and provide help and support when the opportunity arose and that is the true underlying meaning of this article. Sure, addiction of any kind can tear a person apart. It can ruin a person’s life, destroy dreams and even become fatal. However, the deeper meaning of Sheff’s article strongly resounds past the debilitating affects of addiction described: it can be overcome. Through patience and dedication to his son’s wellbeing, Sheff aided in his son’s hopefully long lasting recovery. The article proves an addict often needs support from others to overcome their disease and Sheff illustrates how to go about offering that support.

Overall, the article was very powerful and moving. It was well written and the author leaves his audience on a hopeful note, one that leaves you with chills but also leaves a smile across your face. He leaves the audience with an optimistic quote and a chance for a better tomorrow for all addicts.