Manda's Beast: A True Life Addiction Story to Help Parents Protect Their Sons and Daughters From Self-Abuse with Drugs by Mann Spitler Published by Independently Published on March 5, 2024
Genres: Non-Fiction
Pages: 130
Format: ARC, eBook
Source: Booksirens
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Two parents lost their only child to drug addiction-their story could save yours from the same fate.
As parents, the thought of our children falling into the abyss of drug addiction is a nightmare we all desperately wish to avoid. To be successful, it will take consistent preventive measures that parents never thought would be necessary. Raising your son or daughter to be free of alcohol and other drugs requires parents to shed the optimistic mindset that "my child would never do drugs," and replace it with the more protective mindset of "it
could be my child, so I must be vigilant about their activities."
Wanting to prevent others from enduring the excruciating agony of watching their son or daughter succumb to drug or alcohol abuse, Mann Spitler wrote Manda's Beast. In a heart-wrenching memoir, he shares Manda's haunting journey into the "beast" of heroin addiction, culminating in her tragic death at age 20 from a self-administered lethal dose. This guide was lovingly crafted with your kids and teens in mind, with the preventive measures he and his wife Phyllis wish they had taken.
Protect your child from the abyss of addiction as you discover:
The pervasiveness of drug addiction as you read anonymous notes from parents, adolescents, and young adults.
The cunning ways our kids funnel money to drug dealers, as revealed through Manda's bank statements.
The progression of drug addiction, seen through hospital intake notes. These include nicotine, alcohol, hallucinogens, methamphetamine, and prescription drugs like depressants and narcotics.
Behavior associated with street drugs: meaninglessness, secrecy, lying, low self-worth, chaos, purposelessness.
How to develop a strong drug prevention plan and follow through with its strategies.The culture of drugs doesn't discriminate by social background, geography, or education. Read Manda's Beast today and find the courage and motivation to deter the influence of drugs and its culture on your son or daughter and help them escape the catastrophic consequences of self-abuse with consciousness altering drugs.
My Thoughts
“I looked in the mirror today but I’m not quite sure who was looking back. Sometimes I’m not sure who I am supposed to be , who I want to be, or for that matter who I need to be. I find it so hard to be just me.“
—Manda Spitler
I had to read this since this little girl was from Valparaiso, Indiana, and I reside in Indiana, not far from there.
Wow, talk about pulling at the heartstrings read. This book broke my heart, especially for her parents! Spitler does an excellent job telling Manda’s story through his own words as well as sharing Manda’s journal entries. This is an excellent book for all parents with children still at home, or adult children who may be in crisis.
Thank you to the author and Booksirens for allowing me to read and review this book.
About Mann Spitler
Mann Spitler is a raconteur, author, and drug addiction preventionist. In the 20 years since he and his wife, Phyllis, lost their only child, Manda, to heroin addiction and her subsequent death, he has been narrating her story to every public and private group that has invited him. Manda’s story is ultimately one of hope, as her father’s goal is to prevent self-abuse with drugs and the catastrophic consequences of their use.
Mann speaks to any group wanting to protect their young, but mainly to middle and high school students as well as parent groups. He remains committed to telling his daughter’s story because he believes it can help young people protect themselves from drug addiction and motivate parents to take the specific actions he outlines to shield their children. Mann trusts that prevention begins with knowledge and insight into drug addiction, and Manda’s story provides both. His overarching message for young people is, “Life CAN BE Good… Live with meaning… Live with purpose.®”
The first time Mann told Manda’s story was at a community meeting in the administrative section of the Porter County Jail in Indiana, where he demonstrated how drug addiction begins, evolves, and kills. He was president of the Community Action Drug Coalition of Porter County, Indiana, and was a certified prevention professional with the Indiana Association of Prevention Professionals until that organization dissolved. He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Porter County Substance Abuse Council (now referred to as The Hub Coalition), and local newspapers have covered his drug prevention efforts.
A doctor of Podiatric Medicine for 30 years, Mann earned his BA degree from DePauw University and his DPM degree from Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine. He enjoys long-distance running and has run 21 marathons, including five Boston Marathons. Mann has been married to his beloved Phyllis for more than 52 years.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
