Comment from jmdg1954

Excellent

As I read this chapter, Brian appears to have his wits about him and is coherent. Was he already on the "weening down" schedule?

I couldn't tell...

Good chapter. Let's see what and how Brian reacts!

Cheers, my friend,
John

 Comment Written 02-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 02-Sep-2024

Thanks very much, John. Yes, the doctor would have started him right away on it. It has to be taken down slowly, though, perhaps by 10% less each day. It just depends on how long you had been on it and how high a dose you were taking.

Comment from Neonewman

Exceptional

What a great friend Brian has in Daniel. This piece had brought me to the brink of crying. I can be a little sensitive sometimes, and you got me here with these friends. Great job, Jim!
God bless,
Steve

 Comment Written 02-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 02-Sep-2024

Thanks so much, Steve. He is, indeed a great friend. He doesn't even know the history of Brian's drug problem, but he just jumps right in without question or comment.

Thanks very much for those 6 stars too!

reply by Neonewman on 04-Sep-2024

Yes, everyone needs a friend like that.

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

I think Fran saying about the impact on her and Jules if he doesn't get under control has good impact. A good read in this emotional chapter Jim, and well written.
Cheers
Valda

 Comment Written 01-Sep-2024

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reply by the author on 01-Sep-2024

Thanks very much, Valda. Fran is using everything she can think of to get Brian to look beyond just himself. Making him feel guilty while he's alive might just be the way to make him realize his actions, which will eventually kill him, will have consequences for others.

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

This is very scary. I'm sure most people would tell themselves they are capable of controlling what they are taking even when they know in the past they controlleld it. The papers are full of stories of people who think they quick but end up dying instead.

 Comment Written 31-Aug-2024

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reply by the author on 31-Aug-2024

Yeah, he was fooling himself to think he could control it. There were too many things about it he failed to take into consideration, and he wasn't aware of the extent of the lacing that is often done. He was lucky this time, but will his luck hold up?

Comment from Teri7

Excellent

Jim, I enjoyed reading this chapter. It is very hard to get off some medication without decreasing it slowly. I have been there due to meds my doctors had me on for so long. Thank you for sharing. Great dialogue and imagery. Looking forward to the next chapter! Blessings, Teri

 Comment Written 31-Aug-2024

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reply by the author on 31-Aug-2024

I've been there too, Teri, and it is difficult. The worst is over--for now--but we know from the Prologue that his addiction is still there and probably always will be. I think the good periods are like going into remission.

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

Let us hope that this near death experience changes Brian's drug habit, we will see. He is surrounded by caring people, but even so, it is only him who can make the change. Being addicted to anything is a hard habit to break. Another fine chapter in your story of close relationships and addiction and the ups and downs of life, a well written story Jim, love Dolly x x x

 Comment Written 31-Aug-2024

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reply by the author on 31-Aug-2024

Thanks very much, Dolly. You're absolutely right; it's only him that can finally decide to make the change and stick to it. You can have all the support in the world, but unless you commit to it completely, you'll never break the addiction.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Excellent

It is great think Brian has such a good relationship with Daniel. As an addict, he could easily take just a little bit more. As a diabetic I always want just one more cookie. (Which is just about as dangerous.) Addictions are really hard to live with.

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2024

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reply by the author on 30-Aug-2024

They are indeed. I'm addicted to sweets and when they are in the house, they call to me, and I can't seem to resist them. I can do without, but I can't seem to moderate. This was part of my motivation for writing this story because I find addiction such a fascinating subject.

reply by Carol Hillebrenner on 30-Aug-2024

You are right about addiction. And the things people are addicted to are so many different things.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

You've cleverly and sensibly addressed Brian's problem in a literary sense, but you have to develop and navigate Brian's journey through this.i guess you must have thought deeply, or done some research, on this problem, beautifully written, my friend, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2024

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reply by the author on 30-Aug-2024

Yes, indeed, I've put a lot of thought and research into coming up with a plausible-sounding way to address the problem. I say plausible-sounding because I don't know if what I will have Brian work on is really feasible, but the fact that the talking glasses in my last book got invented almost exactly the way I conceived of them 15 years later, makes me hopeful that what I will be proposing here isn't too pie-in-the-sky either and might actually work.

reply by royowen on 30-Aug-2024

No, not at all, it takes a great deal of humility to submit to this solution, it will challenge him as much as the those that care.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

It's so good that Brian has a support group like Fran and Julia and Daniel. Hopefully, Daniel will know how to hide the pills and dole them out on schedule.
I wonder when Brian will tell his Organic Chemistry professor the truth...

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2024

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reply by the author on 30-Aug-2024

Good question that last. Coming right up in the next chapter believe it or not.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Only two chapters to go, we'll see if Brian can beat this addiction, and I also want to see if Julia's parents will allow her to continue seeing him. Thank you for sharing this with us. It's a good write.

 Comment Written 30-Aug-2024

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reply by the author on 30-Aug-2024

I don't know if an addict can ever truly beat an addiction. Perhaps he only goes into remission from it. But he's certainly going to try.

We may see a new Julia when we get to Part 2--one who may finally decide to stand up to her mother. Now that she's 18, her mother's only trump card that gives her power over Julia's life is financial support. Maybe that won't be enough.

reply by barbara.wilkey on 31-Aug-2024

I agree addiction stays with one forever. It's a constant battle.