Stay Close: A Mother's Story of Her Son's Addiction

STAY CLOSE is an intense account of what a child's drug addiction feels like from a parent's point of view—of what the family did wrong, of what they did right, of how they often thought they were supporting Jeffrey but were instead supporting his habit. This is a tough, honest, and intimate tale told by a mother about her son, Jeff Bratton, who is a heroin addict. Through reflective narration and personal diary entries she tells about loss, family suffering, and death. Hers is a deeply emotional story that chronicles her son's severe addiction, one that corrodes all relationships from the inside out. It is a story of deep trauma and deep hopelessness, but also deep hope.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Libby
• Cataldi
• heroin
• addiction
• hope
• rehab
• book
• interview
• Stay
• Close
• calverton
• school
• Jeffery
• Bratton
• Jeff

[libbycataldi]

Dear Steve, Thank you for your kind words and for reaching out here. Jeff is a special young man and a great son and we are all grateful that he 'came home.' He was lost for many years, but he made the decision to live. We're working together and growing stronger.

You are 38 and good and sober! Congratulations!! Addiction suffocates life. It takes great courage to fight. Jeff will be glad to hear from you and I'll forward your message.

Our love to you. Thanks for staying close,

Libby

[libbycataldi]

Thanks to all for your support. To my former student: Love you, angel.

[srwoodward13]

Ms. Cataldi,i met you once a few years back(bloomingdales boca raton),i was friends with your son and still keep in contact.I have traveled a similar path to him and now I am doing well,I am 38 yrs old...in all my travels,very few people have stuck in my mind,Jff is an infectious ball of personality,his warmth, love and personality are unlike anyone i have ever met.When i watched this i was brought to tears,both of you are an inspiration!!!god bless you!,  Steve Woodward

[lmollot]

i dont no anybody who stop habits w/o longterm support- i did aa and na for 90 days straight-just listened to ppl-this is serious even if so many have habits (reflex behavior) compulsion- nothing is more imp than yr support-its yr life-not job not school not love-only yr support to have in stressful time-longtime members of aa can be there -u can od so fast-"just one time more"-take care-take magesium/calcium every 2 hrs for life-im way calmer "relief" is what i feel-keep on-get friends in aa

[Nerdfighter21]

I went to Calverton when she was a school head there. We all loved her, and cried when she left. I was so surprised to find out she'd gone through all this, when she was so beautiful and loving to all of us students. Maybe it was just my naive way of seeing things, as a child, but I loved, and still do love, her. <3 GO COUGARS!

[CarolynHimes]

Your courage and life-work inspire me! I would enjoy connecting with you. Carolyn Himes, So. Cal.

[valeriebliss]

Thank you for having the courage to write this book. You are an amazing woman to share your family's pain. You give families hope. ODAT