Addict Child: A Mother's Journey

by Lesley Sefton

I wrote a blog which helped to save my daughter's life.Has your life been affected by addiction? Are you questioning if there is hope for recovery?Lesley Sefton's daughter, Laura, is an alcoholic drug abuser. Before addiction, Laura was a professional, beautiful woman. Longing for catharsis, Lesley began to write a blog charting Laura's life. Through layers of laughter and tears their mother and daughter relationship, disrupted by addiction, was explored.'There are times when my daughter is sober, when she is welcomed back in my life, but she drifts back out, taking my broken heart with her.'The feedback from the blog was huge and had an unexpected effect -- it opened Laura's bleary eyes to her condition and the love that surrounded her. It helped stop her spiralling descent and saved her life. When the blog was cut short due to police intervention, Laura urged Lesley to put the story into a book in the hope that it would help others in similar distress.Addict Child charts Laura's path and explores some of the contributing factors such as the role of genetics and the question of whether addiction is a disease or a life choice. It is a tale about fear, deceit and hopelessness, but also about love, grace and gratitude. And most of all, it is a shimmering testament to the restorative power of a mother's love.

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2017

Reviews

[MR BOWDEN · Rating 1 out of 5]

I lived opposite Laura Sefton on Partington Court, Glossop. Laura struggled with Alcohol addiction and her Parents didn't bother with her. Laura was frequently in trouble with the Police and myself and other neighbours use to help her and try to stop the Police arresting her. All the people on Partington court, Hillwood drive and Dovedale court, Glossop use to look out for Laura. We would cook her meals, clean her house, do her gardening and try and sort her life out, every day a team of neighbours would try and help her. I'm Amazed at Lesley Sefton's comments about this area and the People that live here. Lesley Sefton wrote a load of lies and false information to sell her book, she covered up neighbours names but spread vicious rumours about individuals in the area. Lesley Sefton ignored all phone calls to her about Laura's problems at the time and didnt want to know. Laura lost her job at Shirehill hospital as a nurse and the neighbourhood helped with her finances, helping Laura to pay her bills and we all donated time, money and care to Laura when both her parents just didnt want to know her. Her parents treated Laura appalling during this period and ignored any contact. Laura was eventually moved to a rehabilitation centre in Sheffield and each week the neighbours would visit her and take her out for a meal. I feel very annoyed at what Lesley Sefton has wrote about me and my neighbours on Partington court, Glossop. We could have taken liable action against this book as it's all lies and paints a bad picture of Glossop. Lesley Sefton should never have been allowed to write this book about her daughter Laura Sefton, she only did this for money but isnt the caring mother she makes out to be!.

[Gillian Celyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is absolutely untrue and i lived next door to Laura Sefton, all the neighbours on the close use to help her and her Parents weren't bothered about her at the time. The neighbours names in this book are covered up and the actual gentleman opposite Laura's house on the close was a kind hearted individual and helped her out with problems with the Police and her addiction. The girl next door wasn't a base ball bat wheeling maniac but a hard working vet who was a good friend to Laura Sefton and tried to help her through her problems and troubled times. The man behind Laura's house was a retired Police sergeant for the Derbyshire constabulary. Im very surprised the residents on Partington court, Shirebrook park, Glossop, Derbyshire, haven't taken liable action about this book. Most of these stories in the book are made up nonsense and are nothing like the true events that went on. Lesley Sefton has made up all these stories, so she can sell her book!.
Laura's parents just use to ignore her Alcohol and drug problems and it was left to all her neighbours and friends to sort out the mess and all the problems. Laura was eventually moved to an Alcohol and rehabilitation centre in Sheffield. Her parents finally took notice after she became worse with drink and eventually moved her away. This book is fiction and should never have been written about Laura Sefton.

[mrs a tibbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant ❤

I am giving this book an 100% brilliant review although it does feel strange giving someone's pain , heartache & absolute despair a brilliant review . This book touched me as a mother myself of two teenage daughters and also as a daughter . Lesley has been 100% honest & written down pure raw emotion from herself , family & Laura , a terrible time in their lives ended as positively as it could . A brilliant read , it only took me 1 day too read as I couldn't put it down . I am looking forward too Lesley's next book x my love goes out too Lesley , Laura & Family xxx

[Sandra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, but I did not like them, except for her husband and other daughter and family.

Spoiled, selfish,rich girl, had everything handed to her on a platter! Her parents are enablers. Bought her several houses, cars, home furnishings, and bailed her out financially. They should have let her fall. I was married to a addict, at 18. Tried to help him, but after two prison stints, cheating on me, stealing, lying, I had enough. Wasted 13 years on him. I had no one to help me, became an adult at 15. Bought my own home, cars, furnishings, college education, everything! She and her Mom, are weak. I see Laura turning back into the drunk, selfish person she was.

[Rita Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Mom Dad Wow

I have become mad at mom and dad why keeping on helping Laura. And Laura why you do so much pain to your parents . I know the feeling of addiction myself is a addict to drugs. No help or nothing from my family. So reading what parents did for Laura I can say LOVE LOVE which I crave so much. So yes write a book. Mom you did good on blog. I hope you all the best for your family.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping

At times I was shocked but the author was so honest about the things she experienced. It was very eye opening to show what its like to have a child who has an addiction. Well worth the read

[Lottie Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book. Definitely a gripping read and very enlightening to, to see many different sides to a story. It was great to see it from a families perspectives yet also great for the bits that Laura herself had input in to.
Well done all :)

[DES SWALE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Reading this book made me realise that I am not alone. I have a 25 year old cross addicted daughter. My heart is breaking for this beautiful person I have life to and knowing there so nothing we can do is the hardest bit. My soul is being destroyed

[samantha taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking

This is an amazing book full of both heartbreak and courage. I have laughed and cried reading this . You are an amazing family .