Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

This is a good chapter and I enjoyed the banter in the cafeteria before the group session. I think Raffie is right, we all do feel like we don't fit in at times, I know I certainly have. Just one suggestion -Based on the length of time I'd (should it be it'd) been taking them.
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2024

---

reply by the author on 10-Jul-2024

Thanks, Valda. I know the feeling as well. That was part of the reason I changed careers when I was 26.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Wow, you are adding to your cast of characters here. I'm glad that Fran was able to get Brian into such a program right away. Hopefully, he will succeed with the program and I'm guessing he made it through college to get his degree to create his own drug. Wonder if the cute girl will become the wife mentioned in the first chapter...

 Comment Written 08-Jul-2024

---

reply by the author on 09-Jul-2024

We will get a better feel for this group in the next few chapters and lay the groundwork for your perceptive speculations, Helen.

Comment from T B Botts

Excellent

Hello Jim,
you write as if you've experienced this yourself. I can see exactly the scenario play out in front of me. I'm looking forward to see what Julia's story is. Thanks for sharing.
Have a blessed day.
Tom

 Comment Written 08-Jul-2024

---

reply by the author on 09-Jul-2024

I can tell you that I do have a little bit of experience similar to Brian's when I was in a psychiatric hospital for a short time during a bout of anxiety and depression I experienced in my 20s. I can remember attending group therapy something like what I described. Most of the patients were normal folk like me who were just going through a difficult time, and the group therapy helped us realize we weren't alone with our problems.

I think that's what Brian will discover after hearing Julia's story--that many of the circumstances that brought them there may be different, but there is much that is similar in what they all are going through.

Comment from Wendy G

Exceptional

I enjoy the authenticity of your writing, and also its clarity. The plot develops smoothly. The characters are real, diverse, and interesting. This chapter ended with a wonderful hook.Your work is a pleasure to read.
Wendy

 Comment Written 08-Jul-2024

---

reply by the author on 08-Jul-2024

Such a nice, complimentary review, Wendy. Thank you very much. You'll get to see some similarities and some differences between Julia's and Brian's stories.

Comment from Carol Hillebrenner

Exceptional

So far Brian has been all in on his treatment. The program he has entered seems like a very good one. Problems may arise if he can't get his back injury cured before he runs out of oxy to help with the pain. I think the story will be of more interest to young readers when they understand why some of the other youths became addicts. Brian's injury addiction is often an adult problem.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2024

---

reply by the author on 08-Jul-2024

Yep, you're right. Youths usually get into opioids strictly for the high they give. Brian is an exception in this case. We're about to learn of another type of pill and it's potential for abuse as well.

Thanks very much for those 6 stars, Carol.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

So, Brian has started his rehab and describes the first meeting with other inmates in rehab. They are about the same age, 12 through 17, really quite young, I wonder if there will be attractions there, beautifully written Jim, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2024

---

reply by the author on 08-Jul-2024

You know my stories, Roy, so you know there will be an attraction there :)

reply by royowen on 08-Jul-2024

Of course

Comment from Debbie D'Arcy

Excellent

Love the update at the beginning. It just helps to remind readers of recent events whilst also providing a present day perspective on Brian's journey. We also know now that this is still not the end for him and there will be slip-ups along the way. Otherwise the book would never have started with the chaos that hasn't yet been reached for him. My only query is the word 'bussed' with which I'm unfamiliar. Another excellent read, Jim! Well done! Debbie

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2024

---

reply by the author on 08-Jul-2024

Thanks so much for your great review, Debbie, also for the suggestion to add more of those updates from the present. "Bussed" means take care of your own dirty dishes at an eating establishment by putting them in designated spots, rather than rely on a busboy or staff of some kind to do it.

reply by Debbie D'Arcy on 08-Jul-2024

Oh great! I'm going to be using that now with my family:))

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

I had no idea they did classes of rehabilitation for people so young. Let us hope this is Brian's saving grace and there are many people addicted to painkillers these days, another fine chapter Jim, love Dolly x x x

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2024

---

reply by the author on 07-Jul-2024

Thanks, Dolly. I guess, the sooner they can get to kids, the better. I think it's probably the kind of thing that the longer you are an addict, the tougher it is to quit.

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

So far, Brian is making a very good effort to solve this addiction problem, but I know there will probably be some backlashes. It seems to be common. I like this story and you're doing a great job with it.

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2024

---

reply by the author on 07-Jul-2024

As with most things, it isn't a straight road to recovery. Thanks very much, Barbara.

Comment from jmdg1954

Excellent

Okay, so we are still current in time, but provided was a brief interlude about the happening in fifteen years.

Good chapter Jim, let's see how Brian handles school, rehab, possibly peer pressure and the stress involved in tapering off OXY.

See ya next time.
John

 Comment Written 07-Jul-2024

---

reply by the author on 07-Jul-2024

Yep, just bear in mind that 15 years hence is the current time (2024), and this part of the story is a reminiscence of the past, 15 years prior.

Something will happen soon that will greatly aid in handling all those stresses.