Unchained
The riveting true story of a young man’s descent into opioids and alcohol addiction, homelessness and violence, and his recovery journey told by a son, now seven years sober and a co-founder of a substance abuse treatment program and his mother, a spiritual director and youth minister with more than twenty-six years of sobriety. Unchained: Our Family’s Addiction Mess Is Our Message is the inspiring story of one family’s efforts through their faith, 12-step program, and tough love approach to help their son return home – as the Prodigal Son of the Gospel did – to forgiveness, love and a renewed life. This book will provide hope for families grappling with the dark world of addiction.
Nancy McCann Vericker is an author, speaker, spiritual director and youth minister. She holds a master’s degree in Spiritual Direction from Fordham University. She has worked as parish coordinator of family faith-building programs and teaches a Bible study for women in her parish. She and her husband, Joe, a professional photographer, have been married since 1983. The couple has four children and live in Westchester County, New York.
JP Vericker is co-founder of Northeast Addictions Treatment Center in Massachusetts. He is board certified in the treatment of substance use disorder. He began his work in the substance abuse treatment field as a night shift technician and has worked his way up in his career through a variety of positions including halfway house manager, detox counselor, detox manager, licensing consultant, and therapist. He lives in Massachusetts.
Unchained: Powerful. Riveting.
“Addiction is a family disease, and often, family members in the orbit of an addicted person are looking for help, hope, advice, and assurance that they’re not alone. Unchained is the best book I know of to share with a family dealing with addiction. It’s honest, it’s accurate, and it’s a powerfully told story from a gifted writer and her son who know there’s hope, because their family is living proof.”
– BRIAN D. MCLAREN, author of The Great Spiritual Migration
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Looking for help?
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction please reach out to the support line at Northeast Addictions Treatment Center to speak to a specialist.
888-852-4320
Additional Resources
Alcoholics Anonymous
Twelve Step groups are free and available at the local level at a variety of convenient times and locations. For further information, visit the Alcoholics Anonymous website at aa.org.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a national helpline providing free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families suffering from substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment centers, support groups, and community-based organizations. Call 1-800-662-HELP or visit their online treatment services locator.
National Council on Alcholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD)
The National Council on Alcholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD) website offers three simple tests aimed at determining if an individual has a substance abuse problem. These tests comprise three categories: “Are you wondering if you have an alcohol problem?”, “Are you wondering if you have a drug problem?”, and “Self-Test for Teenagers.” Visit their website at ncadd.org.
