Review of Dear Heroin

[Catherine Sweet]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Dear Heroin" by Linda Morrison.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Dear Heroin by Linda Morrison is a memoir by a mother whose son had a heroin addiction. Linda Morrison is a speaker and author who advocates for those affected by substance abuse.
The book cover is stunning and gives a powerful message about the book’s content. I don’t often feel so drawn to a book cover. The title is clever and meaningful, and the interior design is appealing.
At the beginning of the book, police officers tell Linda that her youngest son, Mike, has committed suicide, and they believe he died of a heroin overdose. Linda, her husband and their two other sons are devastated. Linda takes us back to earlier times and describes Mike’s lovable, sociable personality and close relationship with his brothers. She tells some lovely stories from his childhood. When he was growing up, Mike suffered from anxiety, and this would later become a trigger for drug use.
When Mike starts taking heroin, he begins a journey of rehabilitation and relapses. He has some periods when he is clean and sober, but relapses eventually occur. The complexity of recovering from an addiction is painfully apparent. Linda writes about this time and describes Mike’s life and experiences. After his death, she shares what happens when she grieves and how she tries to manage it. Throughout this time, she is comforted by her faith.
This book is beautifully written and immerses the reader in the narrative. Mike, Morrison, and their family are relatable and authentic. It is a heartbreaking story, and I sometimes cried while reading it. However, there is humour at times, and the story is uplifted by Linda and her family’s love for Mike, which always shines through. I have gained more awareness of addiction and its effects on individuals and their families and friends. I haven’t any negative comments to make about this book.
Reading this book would benefit anyone open to raising their awareness of drug addiction. I think it would interest substance abusers, their family and friends and people who work in this field. I have described the reasons for valuing this story in the paragraph above. This is an impressive book, and I have awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.

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Dear Heroin
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[Ami Sanghavi]

This review really touched me. Dear Heroin sounds like a powerful and emotional read; a mother’s way of honouring her son and sharing her journey through grief and love. I appreciate how you pointed out both the heartbreak and the moments of light. Your words have made me want to read the book and understand more about addiction and its impact on families. Thank you for this thoughtful review.

[Gerry Steen]

It is difficult to understand and deal with drug addiction. Those who recover from drug addiction are indeed very strong and have benefited from a great support network. Willpower and coping mechanisms to deal with pain, both physical and emotional, are needed. I tip my hat to Linda Morrison who shares this story about her son's fight with drug addiction. Thank you for this review.

[Kibet Hillary]

The book handles an important topic, and hence I am glad the author's delivery was topnotch. The fact that Linda shows the complexity of recovering from drug addiction is amazing. Thank you, @Catherine Sweet, for the review.

[Catherine Sweet]

This review really touched me. Dear Heroin sounds like a powerful and emotional read; a mother’s way of honouring her son and sharing her journey through grief and love. I appreciate how you pointed out both the heartbreak and the moments of light. Your words have made me want to read the book and understand more about addiction and its impact on families. Thank you for this thoughtful review.

Hi Ami,
Thank you for your lovely comments. I think you're right about the book being a way for a mother to honour her son.
All the best
Cath

[Catherine Sweet]

It is difficult to understand and deal with drug addiction. Those who recover from drug addiction are indeed very strong and have benefited from a great support network. Willpower and coping mechanisms to deal with pain, both physical and emotional, are needed. I tip my hat to Linda Morrison who shares this story about her son's fight with drug addiction. Thank you for this review.

Thanks for your comments, Gerry. I tip my hat to Linda Morrison too!

[Kutloano Makhuvhela]

I have read the book and I have also gave it a glowing rating of five out of five stars. So I was happy to find you also share the same sentiments as myself about it. I enjoyed reading your different yet the same perspective. Keep up the amazing job.

[blessa boyoc]

Dear Heroin is raw, honest, and emotional. It gives a powerful inside look at addiction, pain, and recovery. The writing feels personal, almost like reading someone’s journal — heartbreaking at times but also filled with hope. It’s a quick read, but it leaves a lasting impact. Highly recommend if you're looking for something real and moving.

[Onyemuwa-dave]

This is a powerful and touching review of Dear Heroin. You've truly captured the devastation drugs inflict, not just on the abuser, but on the entire family. As an advocate myself, I deeply connect with stories that raise awareness of addiction's painful complexities, like Mike's journey of rehabilitation and relapse, and the comfort Linda finds in faith. Thanks for highlighting this beautifully written review.

[Ruth Shirk]

While my daughter's drug of choice was not heroin, it is heartbreaking to have a cop tell you that your child is addicted. It is even more heartbreaking to see them sent to prison. II am anxious to read this book and see if the mother's experience is similar to mine.