{"id":17268,"date":"2022-09-06T19:58:49","date_gmt":"2022-09-06T23:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/?p=17268"},"modified":"2022-09-06T20:14:59","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T00:14:59","slug":"mental-health-representation-in-books-addiction-and-eating-disorders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/archives\/17268","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health Representation in Books: Addiction and Eating Disorders"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Addiction<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

There are several different kinds of stories that deal with addiction.<\/p>\n

One is watching a main character spiral until they hit bottom and work to achieve their sobriety.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not an alcoholic.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I asked you right now to go one solid week without a single alcoholic drink, would you be able to?\u201d<\/p>\n

The idea of facing his mother without that barrier, of trying to sleep without the pillow of numbness, made James\u2019s insides squirrelly. He didn\u2019t know because he\u2019d never tried. He\u2019d never had a reason to try.<\/p>\n

— A.M. Arthur<\/a>, Getting It Right<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I think some of the books that do this best are the ones where you follow a character over the course of a series, so you have time to see the dawning of awareness that they have a problem, as well as the struggle and work to gain and keep their sobriety.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

He couldn\u2019t lie anymore about using alcohol as a way to cope with his anger and pain. Maybe he wasn\u2019t addicted, but his behaviour was just as self-destructive. Time would tell if stepping outside of his life in Cardiff for a few months would actually change anything for him.<\/p>\n

— Dahlia Donovan<\/a>, The Lion Tamer<\/em> (Sin Bin)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The thing about the Sin Bin series is that although only the final two stories are about Scottie, you watch him slowly get worse in the preceding books, which makes his recovery in the final book satisfying.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A second kind of story is where a character struggles with their sobriety over the course of the story.<\/p>\n

Medlock gave him an appraising glance. \u201cIt\u2019s like that, is it?\u201d And then he took the bottle and the glass and poured the contents of both out the window.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the hell are you doing?\u201d He could ill afford another bottle.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you wanted to drink it, you would have done so hours ago. I think you wanted not to drink it, so I helped.\u201d<\/p>\n

— Cat Sebastian<\/a>, The Ruin of a Rake<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Beyond the importance of routine, it was vital to stay healthy in times of stress. Swift had badly abused his body for most of his life. His current state of health required consciousness and commitment.<\/p>\n

— Josh Lanyon<\/a>, Come Unto These Yellow Sands<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

This was what I did. Things got bad, I didn\u2019t want anyone to see me weak and broken, so I decided I\u2019d wait until I was just a tiny bit stronger, and then I\u2019d call. But in the space between shame and a public face lay the ocean of demons just waiting for the drop of blood that would set it churning. And I nicked myself with pride every time.<\/p>\n

— Roan Parrish<\/a>, Riven<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I feel like these struggle are incredibly important\u2014they remind us that sobriety is work. Sometimes you fail, but that as long as you\u2019re alive, you can try again and again.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"Lifes<\/a>A third type of story is where a main character doesn\u2019t struggle with their sobriety, yet their past still affects their actions as well as how they see themselves.<\/p>\n

He hated telling people about his drinking problem, hated the way it changed how they looked at him, how it colored every interaction from that point onward.<\/p>\n

— Annabeth Albert<\/a>, Arctic Sun<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cLaudanum.\u201d He allowed the word to settle into the conversation, waited for her face to slowly change to a mask of confusion. \u201cI don\u2019t refuse it because it makes me muzzy-headed, because it gives me vivid dreams, or even because I dislike the taste. I refuse it because I developed an addiction to it when I was young. It was so severe that when I was at Eton, I took a dose that nearly killed me. I stopped breathing.\u201d<\/p>\n

She inhaled and tried to pull her hand away. Christian held on tightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was\u2026 imbibing, I would set my day by my doses. It took over everything I was, everything I wanted. There is no safe dose, not for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

— Courtney Milan<\/a>, Once Upon a Marquess<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/a>If an author is going to do this, I want to see the work. Representation is good, but I want it to be more than lip service. Just a mention with no further discussion of the struggle feels like a disservice to those who are currently struggling and want to gain \/ maintain sobriety.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Just as important is where the main character has to deal with a family member who is an addict\u2014either sober or actively using.<\/p>\n

Dad had not had a good day. He\u2019d woken up from a nap to a war movie playing on TV that had triggered some memories and anxiety he\u2019d tried to walk off. Walks helped when he wanted a drink,<\/p>\n

— R Cooper<\/a>, Jericho Candelario’s Gay Debut<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

I knew what was coming, like following a script written specifically for us. And yet every time I hoped this time<\/em> would be different. This time<\/em> he would really mean what he said. This time<\/em> he would give up his brandy. So when he failed and I stumbled upon him defiantly swigging from a flask or passed out in his chair, an empty bottle at his feet, it was doubly painful.<\/p>\n

— Anna Lee Huber<\/a>, Secrets in the Mist<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a disease. It\u2019s not my fault. I can\u2019t help it!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is your fault! The disease didn\u2019t decide to drink. The disease didn\u2019t go find your purse. The disease didn\u2019t walk out the door and down the street to Lucky\u2019s. The disease didn\u2019t walk to the back row where the vodka is and pick the bottle up off the shelf\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t go to Lucky\u2019s. You never understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014 and walk up to the register and pay for it. The disease didn\u2019t open the bottle, Mom. The disease didn\u2019t drink it, either. You did. It is your fault. It\u2019s always your fault.\u201d<\/p>\n

— Heidi Cullinan<\/a> & Marie Sexton<\/a>, Family Man<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of the things I appreciate about the last two quotes is that they allow the characters to be angry<\/em>. And that anger is complicated.<\/p>\n

Why do I want to read about the struggles of other people? It\u2019s multi-fold, really. It is nice to read about problems that are not my own, and because it reminds me that others might not be going through what I am, but they may be going through their own struggles\u2014ones I don\u2019t see.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(SAMHSA)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

National Helpline: 800-622-4357<\/strong><\/p>\n

Help4WV<\/a><\/p>\n

Substance Use Resource Center<\/a> (Blue Cross Blue Shield)<\/p>\n

Mental Health and Substance Abuse<\/a> (USA.gov)<\/p>\n

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism<\/a> (NIAAA)<\/p>\n

Resources<\/a> (WVU)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

Eating Disorders<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In some ways, eating disorders are similar to addiction. Except you cannot avoid the substance you have a troubled relationship with.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, so Maxine. Coke and booze. Plus she had issues with food. She ditched the coke and the booze, right? Went to meetings, did the whole bit. Took her a while, but she did it. After she\u2019d been clean for about five years, you know what she told me? She said that she didn\u2019t talk about it much at meetings because people didn\u2019t take it serious, but the hardest thing for her to get under control\u2014 harder than coke and booze? Her eating disorder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n

He nodded. \u201cYou can draw a clean line with coke and booze. Say never again, and stay away from them, period. Food? You gotta eat that shit three times a day every day for the rest of your life, and you gotta make choices about it every time.<\/p>\n

— Riven,<\/em> Roan Parrish<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

NEDA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

(800) 931-2237<\/strong><\/p>\n

National Institute of Mental Health \u2013 Eating Disorders (NIMH)<\/a><\/p>\n

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders<\/a><\/p>\n

Eating Disorder Resources<\/a> (WVU)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

Books with Characters Dealing with Addiction<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
\n\u00a0<\/strong>Characters seek help:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Lion Tamer<\/em><\/a> (2018) Dahlia Donovan (Sin Bin series) main character [alcohol] (Contemporary Romance)<\/p>\n

The Gentleman\u2019s Guide to Vice and Virtue<\/em><\/a> (2017) Mackenzi Lee, main character [alcohol] (Historical Fantasy)<\/p>\n

Open for Business<\/em><\/a> (2016) Angel Martinez (Brandywine Investigations) main character [alcohol] (Contemporary Fantasy)<\/p>\n

Black and Blue<\/em><\/a> (1997) Ian Rankin (Inspector Rebus) main character [alcohol] (Contemporary Mystery)<\/p>\n

Characters are sober, but sometimes struggle:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Secret, Book, & Scone Society<\/em><\/a> (2017) Ellery Adams (The Secret, Book, & Scone Society) main character [alcohol] (Contemporary Mystery)<\/p>\n

Arctic Sun<\/em><\/a> (2019) Annabeth Albert (Frozen Hearts) main character [alcohol] (Contemporary Romance)<\/p>\n

The Duchess Deal<\/em><\/a> (2017) Tessa Dare (Girl Meets Duke) main character [laudanum] (Historical Romance)<\/p>\n

Clean<\/em><\/a> (2012) Alex Hughes, main character (Contemporary Fantasy)<\/p>\n

Come Unto These Yellow Sands<\/em><\/a> (2011) Josh Lanyon, main character [drugs] (Contemporary Mystery)<\/p>\n

Once Upon a Marquess<\/em><\/a> (2015) Courtney Milan (Worth Saga) main character [laudanum] (Historical Romance)<\/p>\n

\"Jericho<\/a>Riven<\/em><\/a> (2018) Roan Parrish (Riven) main character [drugs] (Contemporary Romance)<\/p>\n

Raze<\/em><\/a> (2019) Roan Parrish (Riven) main character [drugs] (Contemporary Romance)<\/p>\n

The Ruin of a Rake<\/em><\/a> (2017) Cat Sebastian (The Turner Series) main character [alcohol] (Historical Romance)<\/p>\n

Two Rogues Make a Right<\/em><\/a> (2020) Cat Sebastian (Seducing the Sedgwicks) main character [laudanum] (Historical Romance)<\/p>\n

Secondary characters with an addiction:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Baked Fresh<\/em><\/a> (2015) Annabeth Albert (Portland Heat) secondary character (Contemporary Romance)<\/p>\n

Jericho Candelario\u2019s Gay Debut<\/em><\/a> (2018) R Cooper, parental [alcohol] (Contemporary Romance)<\/p>\n

Family Man<\/em><\/a> (2017) Heidi Cullinan & Marie Sexton, parent [alcohol] (Contemporary Romance)<\/p>\n

Secrets in the Mist<\/a> <\/em>(2016) Anna Lee Huber, parent [alcohol] (Historical Mystery)<\/p>\n

Jar City <\/em><\/a>\u00a0<\/em>(2000) Arnaldur Indridason translated by Bernard Scudder (Inspector Erlendur) adult child [drugs] (Contemporary Mystery)<\/p>\n

Life\u2019s Too Short<\/em><\/a> (2021) Abby Jimenez, sibling [drugs] (Contemporary Romance)<\/p>\n

The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy<\/em><\/a> (2018) Mackenzi Lee, sibling [alcohol] (Historical Fantasy)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

Books with Characters Dealing with an Eating Disorder<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Getting it Right<\/em><\/a> (2015) A.M. Arthur<\/a> (Restoration) supporting character (Romance)<\/p>\n

Boyfriend Material<\/em><\/a> (2020) Alexis Hall<\/a> (London Calling) main character (Romance)<\/p>\n

Husband Material<\/em><\/a> (2022) Alexis Hall<\/a> (London Calling) main character (Romance)<\/p>\n

Three Stupid Weddings<\/em><\/a> (2018) Ann Gallagher, main character (Romance)<\/p>\n

Arctic Sun<\/em><\/a> (2019) Annabeth Albert (Frozen Hearts) main character (Romance)<\/p>\n

Haven Investigations series by Lissa Kasey<\/a>, main character (Contemporary Mystery): Model Citizen<\/em><\/a> (2016), Model Bodyguard<\/em><\/a> (2016), Model Investigator<\/em><\/a> (2017), Model Exposure<\/em><\/a> (2017)<\/p>\n

The Nobleman\u2019s Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks<\/em><\/a> (2021) Mackenzi Lee<\/a>, main character (Historical Fantasy)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Call or text 988<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Why Representation in Books Is Important<\/a>
\nMental Health Representation in Books: Depression<\/a>
\nMental Health Representation in Books: Anxiety<\/a>
\nMental Health Representation in Books: Grief<\/a>
\nMental Health Representation in Books: PTSD<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Addiction   There are several different kinds of stories that deal with addiction. One is watching a main character spiral until they hit bottom and work to achieve their sobriety. \u201cI\u2019m not an alcoholic.\u201d \u201cIf I asked you right now to go one solid week without a single alcoholic drink, would you be able to?\u201d […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2,1097],"tags":[1101,1102],"class_list":["post-17268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-books-reading","category-mental-health","tag-addiction","tag-eating-disorder"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pefxA-4uw","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17268\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/klishis.com\/notreally\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}