The Lost Years: Surviving a Mother and Daughter's Worst Nightmare

"This book gives an excellent look into the uncertain feelings of a teenage girl, and how her choices changed her life. Her events and life walk are depicted from her view, and then from her mother's view. There is an instant snap back to that awkward teenage time. Where do you belong, how do you fit in, and how do you cope? The popular kids (the IT group) share the same fears as the ones who seem to 'not fit in.' It does not matter the way others see you; what matters is the way you see yourself! The way teenagers find comfort is the turning point...some bully their way through and others turn to substance abuse. Either way, it is a dark place that requires the courage and will to come out of (whether one is using bad behavior or substance abuse) or you will most certainly disappear (end up all alone in this world or die). The selfish part of life allows one to foolishly think he/she is the victim and put the blame on the people around him/her. This true view story illustrates how naive reactions and destructive behaviors can shatter a family. This is a must read for parents of approaching teens. This could happen to you! "
~ Written on 2008-08-28

"Having lost a sibling to alcohol and drug abuse at a very young age, I wish that this book had been available when he was struggling with his addiction. Perhaps our family could have had some knowledge of the help that was available through Al-Anon. This book is a remarkable account of courage, and I encourage any family facing these issues to pay close attention to what Constance went through to heal herself and protect her other children from this terrible disease and the horrors that go along with it. To date, I have not read anything that even comes close to touching my heart and soul the way that Kristina and Constance touched mine when I read this memoir. I could not put it down."
~ Written on 2008-08-10

"Having a brother who is a Meth addict really takes a toll on a family. This book helped in so many ways. It lets you know that there are so many families that are going through the same things you are. It also helped me realize why my brother may have become an addict and how hard it is to recover. I think anyone with an addict in the family should read this book."
~ Written on 2008-08-02

"The Lost Years is a must read for anyone in the counseling/addictions field! I was assigned to read this book for a Substance Abuse course and I was a little bit apprehensive to read another book about addictions, but this was not just another book; it was different. The Lost Years gives remarkable insight into the mind/heart/soul/motivations of a young woman addicted to alcohol and cocaine and also the mother's side of the story. I picked up this book in the morning and by the end of the afternoon, I had finished it. I truly could not put it down. A gripping story and a great read for anyone, but a MUST READ for professionals in the field. I think that I will be a better counselor and a better person for having read Kristina and her mother's story. Thank you so much for this book! "
~ Written on 2008-07-14

"I have read many books on the subject of addiction from both the addicts experience and the parent. This book is the first book that spoke to the path of recovery for both parties interwoven sequentially where you could see the process to recovery for both parties and how they are really the same. "
~ Written on 2008-07-08