It's Not Gunna Be an Addiction: The Adolescent Journals of Amelia F. W. Caruso (1989–2009)

"Looking back on it, I'm happy I did weed. It's not gunna be an addiction but at least I can say I did it w/out lying. Also, now I won't be so obsessed w/ drugs b/c I've tried em' so I know how they r now!"

-Amy, summer before sophomore year of high school

Amy Caruso left the world the gift of her journals that she kept since middle school. She wrote powerfully about whether to begin using substances, her initiation, and the progression of her substance use disorder in the context of school, family, friends, boys, body image, and self-esteem. Amy's mom edited the journals into It's Not Gunna Be an Addiction so young readers can reflect on Amy's own words about her choices and six-year struggle with her disease.

Amy Caruso was a junior in the nursing program at Boston College and seemed to have everything going for her: brains, beauty, athleticism, career goals, a loving family, and many wonderful friends. But in November of 2009, she admitted she was addicted to heroin and voluntarily entered treatment. Five weeks later, she died from an overdose at the treatment facility on the day after Christmas, weeks shy of her 21st birthday.

Amy's mom, Melissa Weiksnar, also published Heroin's Puppet-Amy (and her disease) as a mother-daughter story so parents, educators, clinicians, as well as young people can learn from Amy's story.