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Off the Rails: One Family's Journey Through Teen Addiction
In this award-winning memoir, you’ll meet Hannah, a young girl who has a promising future until she suddenly spirals into sex, drugs, alcohol, and other high-risk behaviors. Off the One Family’s Journey Through Teen Addiction narrates Hannah’s decline and subsequent treatment through the raw, honest, compelling voices of Hannah and her shocked and desperate mother―each one telling her side of the story.
Fearing that they couldn’t keep their teen safe, Hannah’s parents make the agonizing decision to send her to a wilderness program, and then to residential treatment. Off the Rails tells the story of the two tough years Hannah spent in three separate programs―and ponders the factors that contributed to her ultimate recovery.
Written for families facing challenges and those that wish to support them, Off the Rails is an inspiring story of love, determination, and a last-resort intervention, as a mother and daughter lose, and then try to find each other again.
Fearing that they couldn’t keep their teen safe, Hannah’s parents make the agonizing decision to send her to a wilderness program, and then to residential treatment. Off the Rails tells the story of the two tough years Hannah spent in three separate programs―and ponders the factors that contributed to her ultimate recovery.
Written for families facing challenges and those that wish to support them, Off the Rails is an inspiring story of love, determination, and a last-resort intervention, as a mother and daughter lose, and then try to find each other again.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 30, 2025
10 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 9, 2018
I was just like Hannah Burrowes as a teenager, so it might make my review a little biased. I thought this book was AMAZING!! It captured the feelings of Hannah and her mother, Susan perfectly!!
September 23, 2018
Spoilers maybe, idk:
The book was too long. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. A little less than halfway through, I decided I didn’t want to read it anymore, but I finished anyway, because I had read too much of it to let it defeat me.
There was a lot of crying, self-pity, yelling, some slurs, threats, and lots of manipulating (by both mother and daughter). I’m not impressed. This is basically a book about where entitlement, a lack of parental discipline, zero boundaries, and zero humility gets a person in life. The outcome is not always drugs, no, but it IS always some form of outward-facing destruction. There’s nothing new here. We knew all of this already.
However, I’m glad for the growth reported by mother and daughter, if only because that lessens the chance of them poisoning the people they come into contact with socially. Continue to pray for Burrowes’s youngest daughter, who was so obviously neglected by the family, as indicated early on in the story, that her emotional issues at the end of the book came as no surprise.
Tedious and trite. Two stars because I liked the DBT shoutouts.
The book was too long. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. A little less than halfway through, I decided I didn’t want to read it anymore, but I finished anyway, because I had read too much of it to let it defeat me.
There was a lot of crying, self-pity, yelling, some slurs, threats, and lots of manipulating (by both mother and daughter). I’m not impressed. This is basically a book about where entitlement, a lack of parental discipline, zero boundaries, and zero humility gets a person in life. The outcome is not always drugs, no, but it IS always some form of outward-facing destruction. There’s nothing new here. We knew all of this already.
However, I’m glad for the growth reported by mother and daughter, if only because that lessens the chance of them poisoning the people they come into contact with socially. Continue to pray for Burrowes’s youngest daughter, who was so obviously neglected by the family, as indicated early on in the story, that her emotional issues at the end of the book came as no surprise.
Tedious and trite. Two stars because I liked the DBT shoutouts.
August 5, 2019
This book was incredibly difficult at times but was ultimately beautiful and touching. Understanding Hannah and her Mother’s perspectives through the difficult journey of Hannah’s recovery was insightful and powerful. It was shocking at times to see how much they didn’t see eye to eye and how they experienced the same story so drastically differently. This book appeals to the need for us to empathize, understand, and stay strong in our convictions even when it feels impossible.
On another note, it’s so concerning how little insurance covers drug treatment programs and how prohibitively expensive they are for most families. There is also the interesting ethical conversation about treatment programs and how some states like California require patient consent as a minor, while other states like Utah do not. While Hannah’s parents didn’t send her to the wilderness program until she consented, there were times throughout her two year journey that she wanted to go home but was not allowed. It definitely got me thinking and I still haven’t quite decided how I feel, but can see how long term treatment from 15-17 was beneficial for Hannah and her family’s healing.
On another note, it’s so concerning how little insurance covers drug treatment programs and how prohibitively expensive they are for most families. There is also the interesting ethical conversation about treatment programs and how some states like California require patient consent as a minor, while other states like Utah do not. While Hannah’s parents didn’t send her to the wilderness program until she consented, there were times throughout her two year journey that she wanted to go home but was not allowed. It definitely got me thinking and I still haven’t quite decided how I feel, but can see how long term treatment from 15-17 was beneficial for Hannah and her family’s healing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2018
This book gives a raw and honest look at how addiction affects a family and especially a relationship between a mother and a daughter. The author did an amazing job of capturing the sides of both mother and daughter and allowing the reader to feel the raw emotions of both.
August 25, 2018
Perspective is a funny thing. Two people can live in the same house, follow the same routine, share the same experiences, but when later asked, their memories and feelings can be on opposite ends of the spectrum. This is Off the Rails.
With input from her daughter, Susan Burrowes writes of the struggles her family undertook when her eldest daughter, Hannah, veered off the rails. As a young teen and budding artist, Hannah become wrapped up in the wrong crowd and found herself an addict. An addict to drugs, alcohol, and sex. Not to mention an addict to lying, deceit, and anger. This vulnerable memoir voyages through the pain and unconditional love of a mother trying to bring her daughter back. With the back and forth perspectives of both Hannah and Susan, the reader becomes quickly engrossed in the raw and devastating journey this family traveled down- ending with a sense of accomplishment and hope.
I truly, truly enjoyed this memoir. Burrowes eloquently expressed the painful journey of her daughter’s addictions without mincing words. Not only did I feel a kinship to Susan as a mother, but I also found I was standing in Hannah’s corner rooting her on and begging her to find her family’s support again. It takes a strong person to write of such hardship, and Burrowes did so beautifully. She shared her own shortcomings as a mother and a wife, as well as her anger towards her daughter. She was honest in her husband’s perspective and her own guilt towards the lack of attention her youngest daughter Camilla. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Burrowes shares with us another story about Camilla and her perspective, because unfortunately, siblings of addicts can quickly go unnoticed.
Burrowes truly showed how a mother will do anything to save her child. And Hannah, even as she experienced therapies, rehabs, and group homes didn’t hesitate to show her battle between appreciation for her family as well as her anger for her lack of control.
This is a memoir that anyone suffering familial pain can appreciate.
With input from her daughter, Susan Burrowes writes of the struggles her family undertook when her eldest daughter, Hannah, veered off the rails. As a young teen and budding artist, Hannah become wrapped up in the wrong crowd and found herself an addict. An addict to drugs, alcohol, and sex. Not to mention an addict to lying, deceit, and anger. This vulnerable memoir voyages through the pain and unconditional love of a mother trying to bring her daughter back. With the back and forth perspectives of both Hannah and Susan, the reader becomes quickly engrossed in the raw and devastating journey this family traveled down- ending with a sense of accomplishment and hope.
I truly, truly enjoyed this memoir. Burrowes eloquently expressed the painful journey of her daughter’s addictions without mincing words. Not only did I feel a kinship to Susan as a mother, but I also found I was standing in Hannah’s corner rooting her on and begging her to find her family’s support again. It takes a strong person to write of such hardship, and Burrowes did so beautifully. She shared her own shortcomings as a mother and a wife, as well as her anger towards her daughter. She was honest in her husband’s perspective and her own guilt towards the lack of attention her youngest daughter Camilla. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Burrowes shares with us another story about Camilla and her perspective, because unfortunately, siblings of addicts can quickly go unnoticed.
Burrowes truly showed how a mother will do anything to save her child. And Hannah, even as she experienced therapies, rehabs, and group homes didn’t hesitate to show her battle between appreciation for her family as well as her anger for her lack of control.
This is a memoir that anyone suffering familial pain can appreciate.
September 8, 2018
This is a really heart-wrenching story about a family whose lives are turned upside down when their teenage daughter, Hannah, becomes addicted to drugs.
Like a lot of families, they thought they were leading a fairly normal life and were happy for the most part. When their daughter started acted moody and withdrawn, they weren't sure how to handle it and they didn't realize what was going on for a time. This story is told from the viewpoint of both Susan (the mother) and Hannah (the daughter). It's interesting to see how they were both feeling about things as they were going through this.
There isn't an over night solution to a drug problem, especially when ecstasy and psychedelics are involved. It's a process and I realized that it's not just the addict who has to heal - it's the family. This is something that affects everyone in the family in very profound ways.
This is a raw memoir that isn't easy to read but it's definitely eye-opening. This book does use some foul language, so be aware of that. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me by BookSparks. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.
Like a lot of families, they thought they were leading a fairly normal life and were happy for the most part. When their daughter started acted moody and withdrawn, they weren't sure how to handle it and they didn't realize what was going on for a time. This story is told from the viewpoint of both Susan (the mother) and Hannah (the daughter). It's interesting to see how they were both feeling about things as they were going through this.
There isn't an over night solution to a drug problem, especially when ecstasy and psychedelics are involved. It's a process and I realized that it's not just the addict who has to heal - it's the family. This is something that affects everyone in the family in very profound ways.
This is a raw memoir that isn't easy to read but it's definitely eye-opening. This book does use some foul language, so be aware of that. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me by BookSparks. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.
September 16, 2018
Intimate story of a family ( mother and father and sister) stumbling through the behaviors of the oldest daughter as she falls deeper and deeper into dysfunction. It is told in two voices, mother and daughter, taking the reader into the lives of this family-the car, therapists and the streets of Santa Cruz where they almost lose their battle to save her, to save themselves. Self-discovery, trying teen programs Utah, (financially capable family BTW), but despite that it’s the voices, real voices of doubt, fear, worry and hopelessness and strength ...a fabulous ending. Good discussion guide at end, too. Pass it on. Counseling courses? Child Family and Community? Adolescent development? I feel as, though I moved into their home and ridden every wave with this family. Literary and honest. Wow.
November 6, 2018
A terrific read. Ideal for anyone touched by teen addiction. Luckily, I have avoided that nightmare but I still found this book very compelling. Like most stories I enjoy, it’s about love under pressure. And there’s nothing more pressurized than mother and daughter relationships. Add drugs and you've got drama.
I also loved the structure of the book — dueling voices. Made it a page turner for me.
Pick this one up if you’re interested in family dramas or interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the rough and tumble world of recovery.
I also loved the structure of the book — dueling voices. Made it a page turner for me.
Pick this one up if you’re interested in family dramas or interested in a behind-the-scenes look at the rough and tumble world of recovery.
December 20, 2018
Although I am not a mother, I care about teens and wanted to discover the path this family took through teen addiction. It was a riveting read. I couldn’t put the book down and read it in a few days. Although I didn’t know if I would like the format, which is that of giving both the mother’s and daughter’s journal entries (edited), I got right into this and it flowed very well. I was invested in the emotional ups and downs, successes and failures from the start. I cried when there was relief and laughed at some of Burrowes’ witty ways of looking at things. A dynamite book.
November 23, 2018
Interesting read into one family's journey through teenage addiction. This family obviously has resources that not everyone has and was able to spend thousands of dollars on their daughter that not every family could. Interesting how much work and money they had to put towards this and how sad that so many other families don't have any options for their children. Mental health care in this country is so sad. Wish there were better answers.
September 19, 2019
An important look into one family’s struggle of having a child addicted to drugs. Burrowes gives an honest account of the effects on the entire family and the struggle to make the Leigh’s” decisions for her child at every turn. I greatly appreciated the back and forth chapters between the author and her daughter while on the journey through drug rehab. Eye-opening to say the least and an important read for anyone let alone anyone going through similar struggles.
May 8, 2020
Award-winning author Susan Burrowes has written a bracing memoir of her family’s struggle with addiction. Written through the lens of a mother-teen daughter relationship, she offers us an honest recounting of struggles with a broken treatment system, with the ins-and-outs of recovery, with integrity.
Honest and gritty.
Honest and gritty.
August 23, 2018
I actually rated this book 4.5 Stars. Check out my review at the link below:
https://readerthenblogger.wordpress.c...
https://readerthenblogger.wordpress.c...
November 30, 2018
3.5/5 stars. A story about the consequences of teenage addiction within one family. Told from alternating viewpoints of the mom and the daughter. I found it both fascinating and sad.
July 12, 2019
I have mixed emotions about this story, at one point I was wishing she had my upbringing because this book would have never been made.
December 12, 2022
A book of hope and journey mostly insight from a mothers point of view.
January 2, 2019
An interesting look at teenage addiction from the perspective of the addict and her parents.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews