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MTV Star Offers Hope and Inspiration to Young People in Recovery
For a printable version of this release, please click here.
July 2005 -  Chris Beckman began drinking Jim Beam at age 11 and smoking marijuana at age 13. By the time he was 22 he was using meth, heroin, mushrooms, straight vodka, and "whatever I could get my hands on." At the age of 24, he was in rehab and starring on MTV's Real World with millions of viewers watching to see if he would relapse.
Now, Beckman shares his story and advice in his new book, Clean: A New Generation in Recovery Speaks Out (Hazelden, September, 2005. $12.95). Written by Beckman with contributions from dozens of teens and twentysomethings in recovery, Clean is part autobiography, part addiction and recovery primer, and part wake-up call about what's really going on in schools, cars, malls, and wherever else kids come in contact with drugs and alcohol.
Because Beckman has lived through addiction and is now in recovery as a young person, he has a unique point of view to share with young addicts who area trying to clean up their lives. He understands the confusion of the early months of sobriety when young addicts must confront hormonal changes, normal adolescent problems, and come to terms with how addiction stunted their maturation process. "We get clean at 20 and feel like we're still 13 emotionally," he writes. He uses his story to illustrate the book's fundamental message that recovery at a young age is very different from recovery in adulthood. Beckman writes, "To suddenly think, 'Hey, wait a minute, I'm 21. I just got sober. I can't drink like all my friends ever again?' I remember thinking my whole life had crumbled."
Clean is the real thing: an honest, non-judgmental, peer-to-peer lifeline for young people thinking about experimenting with drugs, for those who are already experimenting or those who are already addicted, and for families who want to understand and help. Clean examines the vast issues that young people and their families confront when faced with addiction; including, genetics and family history, emotional problems, denial, treatment, Twelve Step programs, relapse, therapy, relationships, and self-care. He offers first-hand accounts of his and other teens' struggles with these issues and their work to maintain sobriety in a tempting world.
Americans got a first hand look at Chris' confusion and pain as he began negotiating life as a sober young man in front of television camera. Millions waited for him to stumble and relapse. But he didn't, and his hard work has paid off. Chris been clean and sober for almost five years and now travels the country, addressing college audiences, grateful to share is experience, strength and hope. He is living proof that recovery works and saves lives, families and dreams.
Constance Carlson
Hazelden Publishing
651-213-4470
ccarlson@hazelden.org
http://www.hazelden.org/bookstore
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