FDS Insight - Feb/May 2016

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gave Natalie and Steve’s plight some
ironic respite.
As Professor Lewis says, it simply
became harder and harder to resist the
temptation. So Natalie was caught and
hauled in: a quite generous plea bargain
was accepted and involved thrice-
weekly therapy sessions. For some time
she remained clean but very unhappy
with, it seems, no support as we might
imagine it.
In she went again and this time got a
month in a dump run by some reformed
addicts. The lousy aftermath of that,
and her further time in jail, left her
wondering how she could ever get out
from under. And after some
enlightening techno/clinical detail,
we’re told that Natalie cannot find
control until she finds self-control. And
to do that she first has to find self. In
other words, as every phone volunteer
for FDS has heard during training and
then applied in practice, you can’t
really do anything with an addict until
she is ready. This is so well put in the
book I’d urge anyone who cares about
modern humanity to read it.
This book contains a massive world of
information, ranging from the
narratives such I just used to whet your
appetite, to specific and clear
explanations of aspect of neuroscience
(Dr Lewis’s special area of study). The
underpinning theme of self-control
(meaning taking responsibility for
yourself and wanting to change) is the
basis for the stories, whether or not it is
achieved. The narcotic or stimulant
effects on the brain and its ability to
change represent the parallel theme.
It would be difficult to overestimate the
importance of this book, and anyway
why would anyone try?
Not My Family Never My Child
A guide for families affected by drugs
Members $20; Non-members $24.95 plus $6.60 postage
Please phone/fax or email/mail us in the office.
Phone (02) 4782 9222 to pay by credit card.
Fax: (02) 4782 9555; Email:
Mailing address: PO Box 7363, Leura NSW 2780
Signed copies are available upon request.