Amy Caruso was a junior in the medical plan at Boston College and appeared to have everything choosing her–brains, beauty, athleticism, career goals, a adoring family, and many wonderful friends. But in November 2009, she admitted she was a heroin addict and voluntarily entered treatment. Five weeks later on she died from an overdose at the procedure facility on the day after Xmas, weeks timid of her twenty-first birthday.

“Melissa Weiksnar’s detailed and bravely honest accounts from the years about Heroin’s Puppet: The Rehab Journals of Amelia F.W. Caruso (1989-2009) leading up to her daughter’s tragic loss of life brings true understanding into the issues and angst of parenting a child suffering from obsession. Amy’s phrases and spirit could be felt through her journal entries and allow visitors to immerse themselves within the mind of the person attempting to get sober. This tale is usually ammunition towards fighting the stereotype of the ‘typical’ addict and it is evidence that neither a loving family, education nor socioeconomic status can save a person from the powerful grasp of habit. May this book help others to find meaning within their deficits and increase understanding about the most effective methods to support a loved one with an obsession.” — Sarah Allen Benton, M.S., LMHC, therapist and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic.

Melissa Weiksnar attended Wellesley University and is a graduate of MIT, Harvard Business College, and the College or university of Houston. After two decades in the high-technology sector, she changed professions to high-school teaching. Since Amy died, Melissa has been telling Amy’s tale to school, college, community, and spiritual groups to help others know how addiction is an similar opportunity disease. She and her husband have two teenagers and reside in Massachusetts.