President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, will have a memoir about his life published in April from Gallery Books, Simon & Schuster’s imprint. Titled “Beautiful Things,” the memoir will focus on the 51-year-old’s lifelong struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, which he’s become notorious for amid the 2020 election. Over the last few years, former President Trump has used Hunter and his troubled past to damage President Biden’s reputation and thwart votes.
To say that Hunter has faced his share of obstacles is an understatement. He and his older brother, Beau, were both injured as children in 1972 in a car accident that killed their mother and baby sister just after Joe Biden was elected as a Delaware senator.
While his own father abstained from alcohol his entire life, Hunter began drinking regularly and abusing drugs, including cocaine, as a young adult and has been in and out of rehab for relapses since 2003. His struggle with sobriety led to him being dishonorably discharged from the Navy Reserves in 2014, and in 2015, he lost his brother Beau to brain cancer. His 2017 divorce from his wife, who he’d been married to for over two decades and has three children with, was highly publicized.
Despite his tumultuous life, Hunter has received public support from his family, including his father.
“We admire our son Hunter’s strength and courage to talk openly about his addiction so that others might see themselves in his journey,” the Bidens said in a statement relayed by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.
Gallery Books’ press release calls “Beautiful Things” a “deeply moving memoir of addiction, loss, and survival.” Horror author Stephen King, who is a recovering alcoholic, has delivered advance praise for the book in its unflinching honesty and portrayal of the darkness of addiction.
How to Recognize an Addiction
Recognizing addiction in someone you love or even yourself can be harder than anticipated, especially since some addictions aren’t immediately obvious and can develop slowly over time. However, there are some clear signs that may point to a substance use disorder that should be addressed sooner than later. If your family has a history of addiction or you’ve been exposed to alcohol or drugs at an early age, for example, you’re at a higher risk of developing an addiction.
Some warning signs to be aware of include:
- Turning to drugs or alcohol to cope with challenges or life events: Many people develop addictions when they use drugs as a coping mechanism for significant life changes like unemployment, breakups, and more.
- Needing more of the substance to achieve the same high: You know your body has developed a tolerance to the drug or alcohol you’re using when you need to consume more of it to get the same high as before. This behavior is a slippery slope that often leads to addiction.
- Social withdrawal: The more your mind becomes consumed with thoughts of drugs and using drugs, the more you’ll begin to withdraw from the people you love. One common side effect of addiction is strained relationships with friends and family members.
- Lying about using drugs: You may have an addiction if you’re lying to others about where you’re going, what you’re doing, and how much you’re actually drinking or using. Some people with addictions will also steal money from loved ones to fund their drug habit.
Asking for Help is a Sign of Strength
Admitting you have an addiction and need professional help is a difficult first step towards healing. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, of the 22.5 million people who reported needing treatment for addiction, only 4.2 million received substance use treatment – just 18.5 percent. But when you finally acknowledge that you have a problem, The Carter Treatment Center is here to lend you resources, support, and compassion. We’re a CARF accredited and LegitScript Certified organization that treats a variety of addictions, including cocaine addiction, heroin addiction, and more, and our outpatient programs can be tailored to best treat our patients’ needs.
The Carter Treatment Center can make recovery possible. With two facilities in Georgia that offer the same holistic treatments for alcohol and drug addiction, we strive to help as many individuals heal from addiction and cope with daily life as possible. Contact our team online or call us at (470) 616-7274 to learn about our programs.