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We All Fall Down: Living with Addiction
In his follow-up to his bestselling memoir Growing Up On Methamphetamines, Nic Sheff reveals a brutally honest account of a young person's struggles with relapse and rehab.
In his bestselling memoir Tweak , Nic Sheff took readers on an emotionally gripping roller-coaster ride through his days as an addict. In this powerful follow-up about his continued efforts to stay clean, Nic writes candidly about eye-opening stays at rehab centers, devastating relapses, and hard-won realizations about what it means to be a young person living with addiction. By candidly revealing his own failures and small personal triumphs, Nic inspires readers to maintain hope and to remember that they are not alone in their battles. A group reading guide is included.
Nic Sheff's Tweak , We All Fall Down , and his father's memoir about him ( Beautiful Boy ) are the basis of the film Beautiful Boy starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet.
In his bestselling memoir Tweak , Nic Sheff took readers on an emotionally gripping roller-coaster ride through his days as an addict. In this powerful follow-up about his continued efforts to stay clean, Nic writes candidly about eye-opening stays at rehab centers, devastating relapses, and hard-won realizations about what it means to be a young person living with addiction. By candidly revealing his own failures and small personal triumphs, Nic inspires readers to maintain hope and to remember that they are not alone in their battles. A group reading guide is included.
Nic Sheff's Tweak , We All Fall Down , and his father's memoir about him ( Beautiful Boy ) are the basis of the film Beautiful Boy starring Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet.
345 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2011
232 people are currently reading
7,072 people want to read
About the author
Nic Sheff
8books849followersNic 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 364 reviews
June 20, 2018
I began to adore Nic Sheff when I read Beautiful Boy, written by his father. From that, I went straight to Nic's first book Tweak. I loved Nic even more. The courage that it must have taken for him to take such a stark look at his life, then put it on paper for all to see, simply astounding. Oh yeah, and at the age of 23.
We All Fall Down took us a bit further into Nic's life. Where Tweak made me feel sad and sympathetic. We All Fall Down made me furious and empathetic. In this book, Nic seems to be a bit more harsh when looking at his life. He seems more disappointed and hopeless.
By all accounts (reading his books, listening to interviews, reading articles)Nic seems like such a good person. He doesn't seem to believe this. He appears to be down on himself, shouldering all of the blame.
This is where I get angry. Nic is clinically depressed. It never seems as if that part of his persona is addressed. Having a very clear understanding of what it truly means to be clinically depressed, I feel let down that Nic didn't have better help. It seems that all of the "help" focused on his drug addicition and consequences thereof. My feeling is that if the depression was properly treated and managed, Nic wouldn't have the addiction problem. If that could happen, then maybe Nic could see himself the way his readers do: as an extremely brave, honest, kind and generous soul. I truly believe that if he had only the shirt on his back, he'd take it off to warm someone that needed it more.
We All Fall Down took us a bit further into Nic's life. Where Tweak made me feel sad and sympathetic. We All Fall Down made me furious and empathetic. In this book, Nic seems to be a bit more harsh when looking at his life. He seems more disappointed and hopeless.
By all accounts (reading his books, listening to interviews, reading articles)Nic seems like such a good person. He doesn't seem to believe this. He appears to be down on himself, shouldering all of the blame.
This is where I get angry. Nic is clinically depressed. It never seems as if that part of his persona is addressed. Having a very clear understanding of what it truly means to be clinically depressed, I feel let down that Nic didn't have better help. It seems that all of the "help" focused on his drug addicition and consequences thereof. My feeling is that if the depression was properly treated and managed, Nic wouldn't have the addiction problem. If that could happen, then maybe Nic could see himself the way his readers do: as an extremely brave, honest, kind and generous soul. I truly believe that if he had only the shirt on his back, he'd take it off to warm someone that needed it more.
February 26, 2012
Former meth (and everything else he can lay his hands on) addict goes to rehab for the 400th time, makes terrible life choices, starts abusing booze, pot and relationships, writes a memoir about his supposed sobriety that becomes a hit, lies and manipulates everyone around him...jeez, why did I even bother reading this book? If you'd asked me three-quarters of the way through, I would have said that Nic was an irredeemable jerk, a narcissistic douchebag with an overinflated ego who hates himself. How could this book have been written by the same person as the guy who wrote Tweak? For a start, his editor must have had a fairly heavy hand back then, since this book is peppered with annoying vocal tics. Cut out the numerous 'uh's, play a drinking game (or rather, don't) for the times these words are used: stutter, serpentine.
Follow Nic as he basically chooses the worst choice in any decision-making scenario. Drop out of rehab to shack up with a girl he just met? Check! Decide you are too good for your minimal wage coffee shop gig and so start necking vodka before and during shifts? Check! Your junkie ex who you are still madly in unhealthy love with wants to meet up, should you go? Hells, yes!
And yet, and yet. At first, I thought the guy was an arrogant arsehole...actually, I kind of still do. He bitches about his father placing all his trust in the rehab counsellors - who are obviously only in it for their own paycheck agenda - and leaving him with no money is his pockets, and rehab or the streets as his only option. (Don't worry Nic, I'm sure you'll find a vulnerable woman to manipulate!) He moans that things like 'having a job' get in the way of his loafing movies-books-weed-hiking lifestyle. And he's basically horrendous about any woman who crosses his path, be they girlfriend, therapist, co-worker, or mother. Plus there's the cringe-worthy descriptions of his great love Zelda (aka Lala Sloatman)...I mean, she's old and all, but he'd still totally hit it. (Also, the circular sex anecdote left me equal parts confused and bemused. I mean, really.)
And yet. For all my bitching, the guy can write. For all my mockery, his story obviously got under my skin. And for all the evidence thus far as to his ace manipulation, I did feel that Nic had - forgive the cheesiness - grown as a person by the end of the memoir. Dude's young, and there has to be some sense of self-awareness to basically write a memoir that paints you as a prime dickhead for many of the pages. I kind of hope that Nic chooses to write a further memoir. I hope it's all about hiking with his dogs and loafing. Damn him.
Follow Nic as he basically chooses the worst choice in any decision-making scenario. Drop out of rehab to shack up with a girl he just met? Check! Decide you are too good for your minimal wage coffee shop gig and so start necking vodka before and during shifts? Check! Your junkie ex who you are still madly in unhealthy love with wants to meet up, should you go? Hells, yes!
And yet, and yet. At first, I thought the guy was an arrogant arsehole...actually, I kind of still do. He bitches about his father placing all his trust in the rehab counsellors - who are obviously only in it for their own paycheck agenda - and leaving him with no money is his pockets, and rehab or the streets as his only option. (Don't worry Nic, I'm sure you'll find a vulnerable woman to manipulate!) He moans that things like 'having a job' get in the way of his loafing movies-books-weed-hiking lifestyle. And he's basically horrendous about any woman who crosses his path, be they girlfriend, therapist, co-worker, or mother. Plus there's the cringe-worthy descriptions of his great love Zelda (aka Lala Sloatman)...I mean, she's old and all, but he'd still totally hit it. (Also, the circular sex anecdote left me equal parts confused and bemused. I mean, really.)
And yet. For all my bitching, the guy can write. For all my mockery, his story obviously got under my skin. And for all the evidence thus far as to his ace manipulation, I did feel that Nic had - forgive the cheesiness - grown as a person by the end of the memoir. Dude's young, and there has to be some sense of self-awareness to basically write a memoir that paints you as a prime dickhead for many of the pages. I kind of hope that Nic chooses to write a further memoir. I hope it's all about hiking with his dogs and loafing. Damn him.
October 10, 2024
I have been reading a lot of memoirs on addiction for book research but what really stood out to me on this one was how Nic doesn't reflect back on the experience, rather relives it, taking the reader on an unsuspecting ride through his experience.
September 28, 2011
I was a big fan of Tweak and Beautiful Boy. Tweak is Nic Sheff's story about his addiction to meth, and Beautiful Boy is his dad's book about what it is like to have an addicted son. Both of those books are hard core, disturbing and graphic. I cried while reading Beautiful Boy.
"We all fall down" is Nic's story about what happened after the events described in Tweak. He goes to a bunch of treatment centres, and relapses. He ends up drinking heavily and smoking pot every day. He struggles with despair, bad relationships, depression, manic depression and suicidal thoughts.
At times, Nic isn't very likeable. He's hugely judgemental and snobby and doesn't seem to want to help himself. He is INCREDIBLY manipulative and lies a lot. But for some reason, I find his writing compelling. He's honest and he doesn't hold back from sharing his feelings of hopelessness and self hatred.
There were some passages in here that caused reactions from me. In one scene, Nic goes to a treatment centre where he isn't allowed to have any books, writing materials, a computer or a guitar for an entire year. I was appalled by this. Not being able to write or read would torture ME and I don't even have a drug problem. I understand short periods of deprivation so that one can focus on oneself, BUT A YEAR. Even I wanted Nic to get on the bus and run away.
I also felt sorry for Nic since he has to go on tour and promote the new book, while he is relapsing. The first time that someone offers him cocaine after his relapse, I actually yelled, "Oh, hell no!" out of concern and frustration.
By the end of the book, Nic has made incredibly brave strides towards a drug-free, happy and productive life. This is a good, fast follow up to Tweaked. Nic Sheff, I hope you stay clean. I'm rooting for you.
"We all fall down" is Nic's story about what happened after the events described in Tweak. He goes to a bunch of treatment centres, and relapses. He ends up drinking heavily and smoking pot every day. He struggles with despair, bad relationships, depression, manic depression and suicidal thoughts.
At times, Nic isn't very likeable. He's hugely judgemental and snobby and doesn't seem to want to help himself. He is INCREDIBLY manipulative and lies a lot. But for some reason, I find his writing compelling. He's honest and he doesn't hold back from sharing his feelings of hopelessness and self hatred.
There were some passages in here that caused reactions from me. In one scene, Nic goes to a treatment centre where he isn't allowed to have any books, writing materials, a computer or a guitar for an entire year. I was appalled by this. Not being able to write or read would torture ME and I don't even have a drug problem. I understand short periods of deprivation so that one can focus on oneself, BUT A YEAR. Even I wanted Nic to get on the bus and run away.
I also felt sorry for Nic since he has to go on tour and promote the new book, while he is relapsing. The first time that someone offers him cocaine after his relapse, I actually yelled, "Oh, hell no!" out of concern and frustration.
By the end of the book, Nic has made incredibly brave strides towards a drug-free, happy and productive life. This is a good, fast follow up to Tweaked. Nic Sheff, I hope you stay clean. I'm rooting for you.
April 29, 2011
This is Nic Sheff's second memoir about addiction. Basically, while riding the wave of success on a book tour for Tweak , Nic makes a series of selfish and predictable moves. He leaves rehab with a girl he meets in rehab, quits taking medication for bipolar disorder, lives off his girlfriend, starts drinking alcohol, smoking pot, and lying. Add a three month stint back to Los Angeles, two emotional affairs, and a lot of crying to the mix, and you pretty much have it. He still uses the word "whatever" too much, but has added a heavy dose of "for sure"s, "you know?"s, and "right on"s. Oh, and he seems to refuse to use the word "and". He writes the word as "'n'". As in, "So I just try 'n' stay high forever." I am starting to wonder if Nic Sheff is relapsing to have more material for books, 'cause I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to have a real job n' stuff, or whatever.
Lest I sound like a totally insensitive jerk, his message of getting back up again is good ('cause we all fall down, you know?), especially since this book is marketed as 'Young Adult'. I am returning this book to the library, so it can be stolen and passed around teen rehab centers.
*Note, if you read Nic Sheff's blog "New Dawn Transmissions" a few years ago, you'll notice some of the writing made its way into this book.
Lest I sound like a totally insensitive jerk, his message of getting back up again is good ('cause we all fall down, you know?), especially since this book is marketed as 'Young Adult'. I am returning this book to the library, so it can be stolen and passed around teen rehab centers.
*Note, if you read Nic Sheff's blog "New Dawn Transmissions" a few years ago, you'll notice some of the writing made its way into this book.
May 2, 2017
Where was the EDITOR on this one? Man, Sheff gets away with repeating entire paragraphs/thoughts/PAGES almost verbatim at points! Also, like most people (I'd imagine) I read this book because I loved his 1st memoir, TWEAK so much...well, this is no . For starters, there is simply LESS STORY and could have easily been trimmed down by 100 pages. Argh- there are so many reasons I am disappointed with this book, primarily that I spent $$ on a hard copy to add to my shelf next to his 1st (better) book...Maybe his *novel* will be more structured and tight. I gave it 2 stars as opposed to 1 because I AM interested in the subject matter of addiction/rehabs, and he DOES write with pretty brutal honesty at times, which is good. It's not the story idea/memoir format I dislike- in this case, it was simply the lack of proper editing + poor structure. I feel like, due to his prior success, he had free reign to publish a bunch of unedited journal entries.
ALSO-- Did he fall in love with EVERY 'pixie like' girl his age in the book? I think he did.
ALSO-- He stopped using the word AND in favor of 'n' throughout this entire book. Ex: "I simply had to get up 'n' get out of bed". This made him seem like his writing had REGRESSED, even.
OK- rant over, sorry. -Jen from Quebec :0)
ALSO-- Did he fall in love with EVERY 'pixie like' girl his age in the book? I think he did.
ALSO-- He stopped using the word AND in favor of 'n' throughout this entire book. Ex: "I simply had to get up 'n' get out of bed". This made him seem like his writing had REGRESSED, even.
OK- rant over, sorry. -Jen from Quebec :0)
June 7, 2011
I absolutely loved and . This book was a little disappointing. I still love Nic Sheff's first-person, brutally honest storytelling. This time around, though, I really wish his editor(s) had worked harder to get rid of the "uh's" (just because he says it doesn't mean it should be written down) and some of the profanity. It was distracting. That being said, this is an interesting followup to Tweak and is clear about the struggles faced by a recovering addict. I am a little obsessive about following Nic's recovery and I wish him the best. I would love to see him branch out into fiction...
March 6, 2012
I know I shouldn't do a review a quarter of the way thru the book, but I just had to write down how I'm feeling right now. I'm very frustrated with Nic Sheff in this book. After being completely captivated by his father's book and his first memoir, "Tweak", this book is sorely disappointing so far. I feel like everything I read in Tweak was completely bogus or something, or the drugs have seriously screwed this guy's head up. He is coming across as an arrogant, spoiled brat that doesn't know how to type a sentence without the word "uh" and several profanities. I'm hanging in there hoping this book turns around but I feel like it's not even by the same person that wrote "Tweak". It almost feels like this book was written for drug money after riding the success of "Tweak", as other readers have suggested. Nic was such a beautiful intelligent person but now it just feels like he is whining on and on b/c he doesn't want to face grown up life. I hope my opinion changes soon and I can correct myself.
February 7, 2013
Again, another from Nic Sheff. He never ceases to amaze me. This book was written with such perfection that I didn't want to put it down, but so much realism I had to set it down at points. He doesn't cut away any parts of his life, no matter how tough they were. He truly gave us a diary of his life and his perspective, and that's something like I've never read before. I truly enjoyed this book because in some ways, not his lifestyle, but his perspective seemed similar to my own. He digs into your insecurities and throws his painful experiences in your heart. You can truly feel his pain. I enjoy Nic Sheff's line of work because he truly sets aside the fact that millions will be reading his books. He tells his experience regardless, he tells the cold truth, his cold perspective, even if he was wrong. He tells it, and I think that's something that everyone could get accustomed to. Telling our feelings as we feel them. I truly respect him, and his books are always going to capture his audience.
January 17, 2011
Kudos for being an honest account of the manipulation involved with addiction and the constant struggle to figure out what is "normal." The moments when Nic struggles with whether or not he even wants to be sober if it means just existing rather than living are the most compelling and interesting parts of the book. However, I'm not sure that the author has enough sober time to be able to honestly look at his own behavior. There's still quite a bit of ego in the writing which at times can make it hard to read, and the writing feels a bit like a dictated story rather than a fully edited memoir with lots of "And then"s and "Anyway"s.
December 10, 2012
It’s a while since I finished Sheff’s first memoir, (which I liked a lot) - in which he chronicles his descent into meth and heroin addiction - so I was curious to see if he could wow me a second time. Unfortunately not.
In this memoir we’re now privy to Sheff’s journey through the world of rehab and recovery. The follow up memoir seems a fairly transparent publishing industry-driven attempt to capitalise on the New York Times Bestseller success of the first, a ‘what happened next� instalment, a ‘We’ve done addiction, now let’s write about recovery�. This seems to be a common feature of addiction memoirs; Augusten Burroughs did it, as did James Frey, and James Brown. I was kinda sorta interested in what happens next, but the trajectory of Sheff’s addiction journey is fairly predictable in the end. I agree that there’s courage in telling one’s story at this level of honesty though and I applaud him for that.
My main problem with this memoir is its glaring lack of personal insight, and an almost exclusive reliance instead on present-tense reportage. Even when Sheff later learns something about his mental health status (quite likely a driver for many of his addictive behaviours) his ability to self-reflect and articulate what this means, in relation to his addictions, appears extremely limited. His passing nod to the science behind addiction is reduced to a micro commentary on lab addicted flies. Now that’s a new one. This could have been humorous if properly handled. Instead it comes off as slightly juvenile in its dearth of detail, and lack of finesse.
All good memoir works by revealing the narrating self learning from experience, translating these insights to the page. In universalising experience, memoir seeks to touch the reader and change them in some small way. This is its shining, defining feature. Without this it runs the risk of straying too far into the domain of self-indulgence. Does Sheff have one foot in this domain? You betya.
I was left with the feeling that Sheff never actually achieves that much insight into himself, and that’s a shame because I certainly have compassion for his struggle. I was much more interested in his period of abstinence, and what worked to keep him there, but there’s not much of that here. We probably didn’t need another drugalogue. We get that it’s tough.
Sheff writes about his time in an Arizona rehab, his near miss with another, and his relationship with a new love. It won’t be giving much away if I say that relapses continue to be a feature of Sheff’s recovery journey because his revelation of character sets us up for them from the outset. You can see them coming like a flipping runaway train.
Ultimately, I had mixed feelings about this book because, despite empathy for his battles, I wasn’t enamoured with Nic the narrator. Yet somehow, in my thesis-driven memoir frenzy, I kept turning the pages, in spite of the truly irritating constant “f� expletives, the all too frequent “uh’s�, and the liberally littered Americanisms such as “like�, as in “So, uh, yeah, that’s the way I play it this morning�. I was eventually able to look over them and accept them as part and parcel of the personality of the narrator. Sheff's tendency to self-deprecate doesn’t always balance with his self-centredness, but this works to illustrate the mindset that drives addiction at least. Yes, I have compassion for the battle, but I can’t say this book particularly endeared me to him. Sheff is thin on humility.
What he does do well is convey the relentless compulsion to ‘use� which characterises addiction. He’s a living, walking example of how addicts cross-addict to other substances, and this powerfully illustrates that it doesn’t matter what substance you use, it’s all addiction. William Burroughs famously said, ‘Whether you sniff it smoke it eat it or shove it up your ass the result is the same: addiction�.
As his many counselors and twelve step buddies try to emphasise, Sheff’s recovery ultimately depends on abstinence. Does he get there? God, you’d hope so because active addiction is clearly a sure-fire route to death for this guy. He may be running out of chances.
In this memoir we’re now privy to Sheff’s journey through the world of rehab and recovery. The follow up memoir seems a fairly transparent publishing industry-driven attempt to capitalise on the New York Times Bestseller success of the first, a ‘what happened next� instalment, a ‘We’ve done addiction, now let’s write about recovery�. This seems to be a common feature of addiction memoirs; Augusten Burroughs did it, as did James Frey, and James Brown. I was kinda sorta interested in what happens next, but the trajectory of Sheff’s addiction journey is fairly predictable in the end. I agree that there’s courage in telling one’s story at this level of honesty though and I applaud him for that.
My main problem with this memoir is its glaring lack of personal insight, and an almost exclusive reliance instead on present-tense reportage. Even when Sheff later learns something about his mental health status (quite likely a driver for many of his addictive behaviours) his ability to self-reflect and articulate what this means, in relation to his addictions, appears extremely limited. His passing nod to the science behind addiction is reduced to a micro commentary on lab addicted flies. Now that’s a new one. This could have been humorous if properly handled. Instead it comes off as slightly juvenile in its dearth of detail, and lack of finesse.
All good memoir works by revealing the narrating self learning from experience, translating these insights to the page. In universalising experience, memoir seeks to touch the reader and change them in some small way. This is its shining, defining feature. Without this it runs the risk of straying too far into the domain of self-indulgence. Does Sheff have one foot in this domain? You betya.
I was left with the feeling that Sheff never actually achieves that much insight into himself, and that’s a shame because I certainly have compassion for his struggle. I was much more interested in his period of abstinence, and what worked to keep him there, but there’s not much of that here. We probably didn’t need another drugalogue. We get that it’s tough.
Sheff writes about his time in an Arizona rehab, his near miss with another, and his relationship with a new love. It won’t be giving much away if I say that relapses continue to be a feature of Sheff’s recovery journey because his revelation of character sets us up for them from the outset. You can see them coming like a flipping runaway train.
Ultimately, I had mixed feelings about this book because, despite empathy for his battles, I wasn’t enamoured with Nic the narrator. Yet somehow, in my thesis-driven memoir frenzy, I kept turning the pages, in spite of the truly irritating constant “f� expletives, the all too frequent “uh’s�, and the liberally littered Americanisms such as “like�, as in “So, uh, yeah, that’s the way I play it this morning�. I was eventually able to look over them and accept them as part and parcel of the personality of the narrator. Sheff's tendency to self-deprecate doesn’t always balance with his self-centredness, but this works to illustrate the mindset that drives addiction at least. Yes, I have compassion for the battle, but I can’t say this book particularly endeared me to him. Sheff is thin on humility.
What he does do well is convey the relentless compulsion to ‘use� which characterises addiction. He’s a living, walking example of how addicts cross-addict to other substances, and this powerfully illustrates that it doesn’t matter what substance you use, it’s all addiction. William Burroughs famously said, ‘Whether you sniff it smoke it eat it or shove it up your ass the result is the same: addiction�.
As his many counselors and twelve step buddies try to emphasise, Sheff’s recovery ultimately depends on abstinence. Does he get there? God, you’d hope so because active addiction is clearly a sure-fire route to death for this guy. He may be running out of chances.
May 4, 2011
I thoroughly enjoyed . Like most everyone else, I was gripped by the horrors of Nic Sheff's addiction and the sheer honesty he revealed. It was hard not to read it in just one sitting, and, by the end of the book, I was cheering for Nic's recovery. So, it would be easy to understand why I would desire to read .
Not unlike Tweak, WAFD is a page-turner. There is a quality of Nic's writing which does that. I feel like he's having a conversation with you while you're reading his words. Unfortunately, that's all I can say that's good about the book. He's introduced 'n's as in (Hot 'n' Now) in lieu of "and", which is incredibly irritating and makes me think he's attempting to create his own little signature, like e.e. cummings. It doesn't work, and makes him appear even more narcissistic than before.
I agree with most everyone who's reviewed and written that it seems to be riding the success of Tweak. I too wonder why this book was written and how it was published. I also agree with those who say that this book made them dislike Nic.
Skip it.
Not unlike Tweak, WAFD is a page-turner. There is a quality of Nic's writing which does that. I feel like he's having a conversation with you while you're reading his words. Unfortunately, that's all I can say that's good about the book. He's introduced 'n's as in (Hot 'n' Now) in lieu of "and", which is incredibly irritating and makes me think he's attempting to create his own little signature, like e.e. cummings. It doesn't work, and makes him appear even more narcissistic than before.
I agree with most everyone who's reviewed and written that it seems to be riding the success of Tweak. I too wonder why this book was written and how it was published. I also agree with those who say that this book made them dislike Nic.
Skip it.
December 9, 2010
I've wanted to read one of Nic Sheff's memoirs since I saw him on Oprah with his dad. It was right around the time Tweak came out, because his dad was there talking about his own memoir called Beautiful Boy.
This book is not for the eaily offended. It is an honest account of an addict's life: complete with relapses, bad language (mostly the f-word) and sexual situations. Nic tells it like it is, which is what makes this book so powerful and moving. You are right there with him as he's going through differnet situations: rehab, relapsing, family drama, relationship troubles, getting clean, and finding balance.
I found We All Fall Down hard to read at times, just because the things Nic goes through are so sad. There's no way I would have given up on the book though. It was too good and I had to keep reading to find out what happens to Nic. If you've ever wondered what an addict is thinking, or what drives them to use, you should read We All Fall Down. Parents could use the book as a cautionary tale for teens as well. Drug use is in no way romanticized, but parents should read the book first before letting their children read it. I'm not a huge fan of non-fiction, and I really enjoyed this book so I think that says a lot about the quality of the writing and the poignancy of the story.
Just One Gripe:
Some of the writing is conversational. It makes the book feel more real but I found myself slowing down at times to really get the full meaning and tone of what Nic was conveying.
The Best Thing About This Book:
The honesty.
Appropriate for a younger audience:
Hmm. Parents should most definitely read it first.
This book is not for the eaily offended. It is an honest account of an addict's life: complete with relapses, bad language (mostly the f-word) and sexual situations. Nic tells it like it is, which is what makes this book so powerful and moving. You are right there with him as he's going through differnet situations: rehab, relapsing, family drama, relationship troubles, getting clean, and finding balance.
I found We All Fall Down hard to read at times, just because the things Nic goes through are so sad. There's no way I would have given up on the book though. It was too good and I had to keep reading to find out what happens to Nic. If you've ever wondered what an addict is thinking, or what drives them to use, you should read We All Fall Down. Parents could use the book as a cautionary tale for teens as well. Drug use is in no way romanticized, but parents should read the book first before letting their children read it. I'm not a huge fan of non-fiction, and I really enjoyed this book so I think that says a lot about the quality of the writing and the poignancy of the story.
Just One Gripe:
Some of the writing is conversational. It makes the book feel more real but I found myself slowing down at times to really get the full meaning and tone of what Nic was conveying.
The Best Thing About This Book:
The honesty.
Appropriate for a younger audience:
Hmm. Parents should most definitely read it first.
June 8, 2011
Nic Sheff is an addict. Though his drug of choice is meth, he also abuses alcohol, marijuana, painkillers, and heroin. In his previous memoir, Tweak, you can read about the worst of his addiction. Here he writes about the hard work of trying to stay clean and as the title implies, it's not always easy to stay straight and sober, even when the alternative is a life destroyed.
Though his writing, at times, felt a little mannered to me (aping Holden Caulfield), it didn't really matter. I forgive Sheff all of that because he's so utterly honest about his emotional pain. He gives true insight into the mind of an addict and shows how easy it is for someone to slip away from sobriety.
The best part of the book is that it is, ultimately, uplifting. After reading Tweak I thought about Nic a lot hoping that he managed to stay sober. The reality is so much more complex than being high or being sober. Life isn't binary. Instead it's about making mistakes, faltering, falling down and making sure to pick yourself up again. The more you fall, the more you learn and, hopefully, the faster you pick yourself back up.
This should be required reading for family members who struggle with loved ones with a substance abuse problem.
Though his writing, at times, felt a little mannered to me (aping Holden Caulfield), it didn't really matter. I forgive Sheff all of that because he's so utterly honest about his emotional pain. He gives true insight into the mind of an addict and shows how easy it is for someone to slip away from sobriety.
The best part of the book is that it is, ultimately, uplifting. After reading Tweak I thought about Nic a lot hoping that he managed to stay sober. The reality is so much more complex than being high or being sober. Life isn't binary. Instead it's about making mistakes, faltering, falling down and making sure to pick yourself up again. The more you fall, the more you learn and, hopefully, the faster you pick yourself back up.
This should be required reading for family members who struggle with loved ones with a substance abuse problem.
March 18, 2011
I really loved the book "Tweak"; although, as I read it I wondered to myself "How is this kid going to possibly stay sober?" He hasn't grown much at all as a person and is still very immature. It was a very voyeuristic look into someone's life crumbling down around them.
It's an interesting and quick read but I kind of expect another sequel the next time he needs a paycheck.
It's an interesting and quick read but I kind of expect another sequel the next time he needs a paycheck.
February 15, 2011
Fortunately, Sheff is not as whiny or narcissistic in this memoir as he is in his first, Tweak, though he still manages to be quite unlikeable and astonshingly unsympathetic. Sheff affectively chronicles the ups and downs of trying to overcome his addiction and pull his life together in a raw, honest, and expletive-ridden narrative.
January 28, 2013
I read 'Tweak' some time ago, and enjoyed it a lot, despite how difficult it was to read because of the subject matter. I was excited to pick up this book, Sheff's second, because I expected it to be like 'Tweak.' I was, unfortunately, wrong.
My main issue with 'We All Fall Down,' is Sheff's insistence of including 'um' and 'I mean' and 'like' throughout the memoir. Not just a couple of times, or even a handful of times, but on every page. The 'um' inclusion especially aggravated me. I get that he's trying to make it sound like a stream of consciousness in parts or to write it exactly how he speaks, but it becomes so annoying to read. I had a hard time finishing it, because of it.
The subject matter, once again, was not easy to stomach, but it was interesting to see how he's been doing since the publication of 'Tweak.' I wish him the best, but if he writes another memoir, I'll be sure to flip through and skim the pages before committing to reading it. If there are too many annoying phrases, I will probably have to pass.
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August 29, 2011Absolute waste of time, read a few chapters, it then appeared the whole book is taken up with ego trips, and how to beat the rehab system, even though his own way does not work too well.
Congratulations on your probably, or hopefully more then 2 years of sobriety by now, if not this would not surprise me.
What really blows my mind is how this book ever got published, when there are millions of authors out there with a good stories to tell which may help someone battling addiction out there, but who are obviously turned down.
Congratulations on your probably, or hopefully more then 2 years of sobriety by now, if not this would not surprise me.
What really blows my mind is how this book ever got published, when there are millions of authors out there with a good stories to tell which may help someone battling addiction out there, but who are obviously turned down.
November 8, 2012
This book, We All Fall Down: Living with Addiction, by Nic Sheff with a genre of autobiography. Nic was drunk at the age of eleven for the first time, at age nine Nic was high for the first time. It'll be okay, right? He said. I can't get addicted, it’s just marijuana what’s the worst that could happen? At age 23 years old, Nic had been in several different rehab treatment centers. His journeys through rehab treatment centers, homeless on the streets, living with his family and his girlfriend. He described his emotions and his feelings so well. Nic had been sober for 6 months, soon becoming to relapse and be stuck in another treatment center, Nic soon after getting kicked out of the treatment center, went to go live with his girlfriend all the way across the country of where he'd never been before. Nic began to relapse yet again not knowing it could lead to heartache and depression.
What I enjoyed about this book, was the fact that it just made you want to keep reading it and not put it down, it was such an inspirational book. I really liked everything about it, at some parts I would get confused a little, but I would always catch on quick, I really have nothing bad to say about the book. Being addicted too drugs or alcohol could be a very hard thing, people can really struggle and I think Sheffs story could really help some people that are struggling with their addictions out there. I think it could make those people really realize the hardships that they can begin to struggle with even if they may not think so. I was very inspired by Nic Sheffs book and I would very much read it again. I really enjoyed how he traveled with his father and told his story to thousands of people around the country that was very impressive from a guy that was living on the street with a dream to write a book too fulfilling that dream. What I really think the theme of this book is, is "follow your dreams no matter how many people will tell you that you can't do it, you can."
What I enjoyed about this book, was the fact that it just made you want to keep reading it and not put it down, it was such an inspirational book. I really liked everything about it, at some parts I would get confused a little, but I would always catch on quick, I really have nothing bad to say about the book. Being addicted too drugs or alcohol could be a very hard thing, people can really struggle and I think Sheffs story could really help some people that are struggling with their addictions out there. I think it could make those people really realize the hardships that they can begin to struggle with even if they may not think so. I was very inspired by Nic Sheffs book and I would very much read it again. I really enjoyed how he traveled with his father and told his story to thousands of people around the country that was very impressive from a guy that was living on the street with a dream to write a book too fulfilling that dream. What I really think the theme of this book is, is "follow your dreams no matter how many people will tell you that you can't do it, you can."
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May 3, 2011Once I started reading We All Fall Down, I couldn't stop. I was immediately drawn into Nic's world.
And it's definitely a tough, scary world. You feel like you're right there with him, going through everything with him. This makes parts of it tough to read, because at times it feels like there's no hope for Nic, or any other addict. It was definitely interesting to get inside of the head of an addict, to see the world as he saw it.
I'd definitely recommend this book for an older YA reader. It deals with some pretty heavy duty topics. Nic doesn't hold back talking about the realities of being an addict - it's not pretty.
While the writing wasn't amazing, one thing that I did really enjoy about it was that Nic's voice really came through loud and clear. Some parts almost felt like a conversation between him and I. It felt very genuine and real.
Although I haven't read his previous memoir, Tweak, also about addiction, or his father's book about Nic's journey, Beautiful Boy, I really did enjoy reading We All Fall Down. So if you're wondering if you need to read either of those ones first, I would say no (cause I didn't, and I felt like I understood what was happening). But now that I've read We All Fall Down, I'm kind of interested in the first part of Nic's story.
If you're looking for a book about addiction, from an addict's perspective, I would definitely recommend We All Fall Down.
And it's definitely a tough, scary world. You feel like you're right there with him, going through everything with him. This makes parts of it tough to read, because at times it feels like there's no hope for Nic, or any other addict. It was definitely interesting to get inside of the head of an addict, to see the world as he saw it.
I'd definitely recommend this book for an older YA reader. It deals with some pretty heavy duty topics. Nic doesn't hold back talking about the realities of being an addict - it's not pretty.
While the writing wasn't amazing, one thing that I did really enjoy about it was that Nic's voice really came through loud and clear. Some parts almost felt like a conversation between him and I. It felt very genuine and real.
Although I haven't read his previous memoir, Tweak, also about addiction, or his father's book about Nic's journey, Beautiful Boy, I really did enjoy reading We All Fall Down. So if you're wondering if you need to read either of those ones first, I would say no (cause I didn't, and I felt like I understood what was happening). But now that I've read We All Fall Down, I'm kind of interested in the first part of Nic's story.
If you're looking for a book about addiction, from an addict's perspective, I would definitely recommend We All Fall Down.
December 7, 2015
This book has done so much for me. It's a memoir of a drug addict that I picked up on a whim because I saw it on the shelves at a doomed Borders for 75% off and thought it sounded interesting. I'd never heard of Nic Sheff before. Now I'm so glad I did.
In reading this book and reading through his struggles, I began to recognize myself. Not with the addiction to substances, but the addiction to people, the out of control thoughts, etc. When I got to where he mentioned being bipolar, I was floored. He was exactly like me. Here I had been putting off going to therapy and getting help for so long- years, actually. This book- Nic Sheff himself- inspired me to go get help. And if that's not what a good author does then I don't know what- they inspire people to better themselves. I'm about to read Tweak for the first time, but I have a feeling We All Fall Down is going to remain my favorite.
In reading this book and reading through his struggles, I began to recognize myself. Not with the addiction to substances, but the addiction to people, the out of control thoughts, etc. When I got to where he mentioned being bipolar, I was floored. He was exactly like me. Here I had been putting off going to therapy and getting help for so long- years, actually. This book- Nic Sheff himself- inspired me to go get help. And if that's not what a good author does then I don't know what- they inspire people to better themselves. I'm about to read Tweak for the first time, but I have a feeling We All Fall Down is going to remain my favorite.
June 28, 2019
The Sheff family has written a group of painfully sad, and (I hope) honest books about addiction that are lined with (I hope) a veil of genuine optimism despite intense struggle. Addiction really doesn't end, hence why Nic has battled with addiction and depression between, and even during, his books.
I find his writing conversational and casual, but also well-organized. He is good about portraying a laid-back and authentic voice without scrambling his thoughts, and the chapters read well. I think a big part of growth is understanding others, and while he has made many mistakes, I was shocked by some of the ego-driven "professionals" who worked with him in rehab. Wow. I hope Nic is OK and I wish him the best. As strange as this is, after three books, I actually feel emotionally invested in him and his family.
I find his writing conversational and casual, but also well-organized. He is good about portraying a laid-back and authentic voice without scrambling his thoughts, and the chapters read well. I think a big part of growth is understanding others, and while he has made many mistakes, I was shocked by some of the ego-driven "professionals" who worked with him in rehab. Wow. I hope Nic is OK and I wish him the best. As strange as this is, after three books, I actually feel emotionally invested in him and his family.
January 6, 2011
In this honest, raw account of dealing with drug addiction, Nic Sheff uncovers the many manipulations, lies and tricks an addict will use to justify their need for a fix to themselves, to their friends and to their frightened families. After all, how much fun can life be if you are truly sober? Unfortunately, for Sheff, his road to recovery is numbed by alcohol and marijuana use even while touring the country speaking on the hazards of drug abuse. This painful memoir reinforces the fact, no matter how hard we try,at times, We All Fall Down.Hopefully,there is someone left to pick us back up.
July 25, 2011
This was so different from his other book it's like night and day. I'm unsure how to word how this book made me feel but I know it did put me into the mindset of an addict, the desperation, the lying to of not only those you love and whom love you but lying to yourself, I have just never been able to put that into words the way he does.I don't know if Nic will ever be well or clean, only Nic knows that but I do believe he's trying and that he was honest in this book, way more than he was in the first. It was an enjoyable read for me.
April 10, 2011
Parts of this book were really good, others, not so much. The weird thing is, most of the time, I was not touched by his story. He glosses over a lot of the actual agony and remorse of coming down and the sheer torment of not being able to control the craving and the self-loathing that it all brings. It's also way too long.
September 20, 2023
As always Nic Sheff succeeded in making me cry a bunch.
I read Tweak and also Beautiful Boy (written by his father) and we all fall down was like checking in with a friend i haven't seen in a while.
Nic wrote about a conversation with one of his girlfriends and she basically said, that his writing is entertainment to the reader and that we all hope he falls down again and again bc thats what makes it interesting.
I don't agree.
I loved reading these books becaus of his growth. Because it showed that recovery is not linear. Relapse is a part of it and for every addict there is a different way to manage being addicted.
Nic Sheffs writing is raw and honest and hypocritical at some points. It's authentic.
At the end i felt proud and happy how live turned out for him.
How he found a way not just to survive but to life.
I read Tweak and also Beautiful Boy (written by his father) and we all fall down was like checking in with a friend i haven't seen in a while.
Nic wrote about a conversation with one of his girlfriends and she basically said, that his writing is entertainment to the reader and that we all hope he falls down again and again bc thats what makes it interesting.
I don't agree.
I loved reading these books becaus of his growth. Because it showed that recovery is not linear. Relapse is a part of it and for every addict there is a different way to manage being addicted.
Nic Sheffs writing is raw and honest and hypocritical at some points. It's authentic.
At the end i felt proud and happy how live turned out for him.
How he found a way not just to survive but to life.
January 29, 2020
I loved Tweak. I'd say the first 3/4 of this book I disliked Nic so much. At times I felt he was patronizing me with "stuff-filler" in this book. Nic seemed arrogant and it seemed more fictional. So these thoughts made me feel less compassionate, hard even towards Nic. The lies, lies and more lies. I think he's very intelligent and I suppose that combined with addiction he can process and blame others or situations to his liking. However, I did like how it ended although it all happened very quickly. It's hard to critique a book like this but to me, this book didn't read the same as Tweak.
March 15, 2022
I looked into this book after watching Beautiful Boy and it was a great way to see the perspective of Nic, an addict, coming from seeing the perspective of his father in Beautiful Boy first. It was raw, not holding back any of the unglamorous ups and downs of addiction. This was not a linear inspirational tale where one learns from their mistakes and never looks back, however it gets into the ugly side of recovery, relapse, and those on the sidelines as collateral damage. This really explains the reality of severe addiction. Will definitely look into reading some of his other work!
August 8, 2018
Nic continues his devastating story of his addiction with this stellar follow up to Tweak. Tweak ended the typical way most addiction memoirs do - with rehab and the implication that everything is okay now. We All Fall Down revealed how that was not the case at all. In fact, it revealed that all of the thoughts he had in Tweak about that Arizona rehab were basically all lies. He's a classic addict, just saying what he knows people want to hear.
Nic is such an interesting character - he continues to make life threatening decisions, drives people away from him, takes advantage of others, lies, manipulates, abuses alcohol and marijuana, quits taking his medication for bipolar disorder, is incredibly arrogant despite his crippling self esteem issues etc. etc., and yet, he's still very likable. I still root for him the whole book. My heart broke for him this whole book even when I felt like screaming at him for how he treated the people around him. He is brutally honest and vulnerable and you just can't help but love him for it.
A lot of people complained about his writing in their reviews and the need for an editor to take out the ums and stuttering, but it actually translated well to the audiobook. Nic writes like he talks, so it worked very well in that format.
Nic is such an interesting character - he continues to make life threatening decisions, drives people away from him, takes advantage of others, lies, manipulates, abuses alcohol and marijuana, quits taking his medication for bipolar disorder, is incredibly arrogant despite his crippling self esteem issues etc. etc., and yet, he's still very likable. I still root for him the whole book. My heart broke for him this whole book even when I felt like screaming at him for how he treated the people around him. He is brutally honest and vulnerable and you just can't help but love him for it.
A lot of people complained about his writing in their reviews and the need for an editor to take out the ums and stuttering, but it actually translated well to the audiobook. Nic writes like he talks, so it worked very well in that format.
December 9, 2023
3.5 stars. Nic was insufferable for most of this book, and the fat phobia was insane. Was really hard to get through it but after he got help and everything it was good again really do love his story and me and my mom had fun listening to the book.
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