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“From Binge to Blackout: A Mother and Son Struggle With Teen Drinking” is an especially gripping cautionary tale on this subject. And it is unusual in that it does not follow the standard story template, from downfall to miracle cure. Instead this account is divided between two narrators: Toren Volkmann, who slid with scary ease from fun-loving party guy to desperate alcoholic, and Chris Volkmann, his mother, who bought Toren’s assurances that he was fine. He had a secret, and she hadn’t a clue.---Janet Maslin, The New York Times, September 8, 2006 That alcohol is the number one drug problem among our youth snuck up on this "perfect family," as it does on so many parents and young people. The anguish and loss that alcohol addiction brought to this young man
and his family, powerfully portrayed in this book, stand in stark contrast to the glamour and fun promised by much of alcohol advertising. ---David Jernigan, PhD, Executive Director, Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth, Georgetown University I recommend this book to parents, students, and anyone interested in the current alcohol culture in which many of today's young people have become entrenched. The dangerous attitudes and behaviors toward alcohol that many are exhibiting are a threat to the future of our children. I admire the courage it took Toren to recognize and overcome the devastation that alcohol was having on his life before it was too late. We challenge each of you to be aware of alcohol abuse and to educate yourselves and your children about the potential deadly consequences. It cost our family the ultimate, as our daughter, Samantha, died in September, 2004 of acute alcohol poisoning. Our goal is to prevent another family from having to endure the pain of losing a child in such a senseless and preventable manner. ---Patty Spady- Mother of 19-year-old Samantha Spady, a student who died of alcohol poisoning, September 5, 2004 at Colorado State University This is an important candid book by a mother and son who had to reconstruct all the warning signals they missed as alcohol and drugs invaded the perfect American family. I urge parents and their teen age children to read it together so they avoid the same fate. ---David Rosenbloom, Director Join Together, professor of public health at Boston University, Director of Youth Alcohol Prevention Center In the course of my professional career I have participated in, and chaired, a number of studies that have examined at the local, regional and national level the extent of adolescent and young adult use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs as well as the most effective strategies for combating the problem and for providing therapeutic assistance to those who suffer from unhealthy or addictive patterns of involvement. From Binge to Blackout can serve as an excellent primer for those unfamiliar with the literature of teenage and young adult substance abuse. It is very practical and user friendly in structure and orientation. I recommend it for those who, like the Volkmann family, need to make a fresh start from binges and blackouts to health and happiness. ---Reverend E. Malloy, President Emeritus of Notre Dame, Board Member, the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
An important book for every parent of a teenager. This fearless and searching diary brings the reality home that alcohol does not care who it conquers. From Binge to Blackout offers honesty, hope and hands-on guidance for parents and teens to make empowering choices. -- Marci Shimoff, Co-Author, Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul
In the length of time it takes to leave a voice message, a family is thrown into the abyss. How could an adolescent turned young man have kept the symptoms of binge drinking from discovery by two intelligent, accomplished parents? The answer is easy! It happens all of the time. The story you are about to read will burn through the fog. From Binge to Blackout calls us all out. --- Cardwell C. Nuckols MA, PhD
…Toren's gut-wrenching descriptions of hangovers, blackouts, attitudes and withdrawals were incredibly touching, honest and real to me. The torment of a loved one around the disease, as shared in Chris's open and honest writings, is equally on target. OUR DRINK (Binge to Blackout) gives a rock-honest snapshot of feelings and symptoms of the disease of alcoholism that can be trusted to open people's eyes and, in all hopes, reach our youth and families in time to restore relationships and save lives." ---Susie Vanderlip, CSP - International prevention specialist and speaker, creator/presenter of Legacy of Hope and author of 52 Ways to Protect Your Teen There are many books written about drinking problems and alcoholism, but it's always someone else's family. Chris and Toren bring us inside a family as if it were our own. The struggles, denial, confrontations, lying, and eventually hope are all there as they attempt to reach other families. This book teaches and touches the reader. I recommend it to everyone who wants help for their family and to those who help families everywhere. ---Robert J. Ackerman, Ph.D, Co-author of Chicken Soup for the Recovering Soul, Director, The Mid-Atlantic Addiction Training Institute
Binge to Blackout...... underscores why it is so important to address underage drinking issues with our children at a very early age. This book gives us a candid, often heartbreaking revelation of what the "perfect" family experiences when coping with an alcoholic adolescent. The Volkmann family is to be commended for giving us such an honest and sometimes heartbreaking glimpse into their lives. --- Mikey L. Hoeven, First Lady of North Dakota
This book is a treasure of education, insight, and experience about alcoholism. The authors have captured the essence of the struggle millions of families go through to get out of the alcoholic system and into recovery. Reading this book will open your brain, your guts, and your heart to an effective way of processing this diabolical disease. ---C.J. Kirk, LICSW, senior alcohol and drug consultant to Peace Corps Office medical Services (1984-2004)
A profoundly honest and real story that all families could benefit from. The back-and-forth dialogue between parent and child about the pain, fear, and destructive consequences makes it feel like you have witnessed a ten-round boxing match. ---Stephen Bogan, MA, chemical dependency professional division of substance abuse, State of Washington nationally certified addiction counselor, youth treatment lead
There aren’t many books written in this style. Families, particularly parents, will find this book a helpful tool to understand addiction. This book will help move our society toward acceptance, which in turn will open doors for higher-quality treatment and decrease the tendency to look at the disease as a moral issue. I will definitely recommend this book to my patients! ---Katie Revenaugh, BS, CDP, chemical dependency professional
Because college is such a life-changing experience and drinking such a big part of it, [this book] will have an impact on campuses everywhere. I learned a lot, I cried, and the honesty was touching. ---Susan Fiksdal, Ph.D., The Evergreen State College | |
