Christine Pisera Naman - About Natalie: A Daughters Addiction. A Mothers Love. Finding Their Way Back to Each Other.

About Natalie is groundbreaking. It doesnt preach or pretend to offer a panacea. Instead, it offers a refreshing, authentic look at one familys struggle with addiction, easily the most powerful book published on the subject in the 21st century.

Dr. Maryel McKinley, PhD, CADCII, syndicated reviewer, addictions expert, former co-host/co-producer All Talk Recovery Radio CBS 97.1 FM KLSX

About Natalie

A Daughters Addiction.

A Mothers Love.

Finding Their Way Back to Each Other.

Christine Pisero Noman with Natalie Anno Noman

About Natalie is a candid, eye-opening look at what it really feels like to be the parent of an addict. A courageous memoir that will tug at your heart, make you grin, and fill you with hope.

Jack Canfield, international bestselling author of The Success Principles and co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series

Bold, brave, courageous, and captivating, About Natalie is Christine Namans masterfully written memoir of what it is like to wake up one day to find out your beautiful, beloved fifteen-year-old little girl is a heroin addict.

Namans book takes the reader into the mind, heart, and soul of how to love unconditionally when faced with addiction, a cunning and baffling disease based on denial. She shows how her family experienced ups and downs in this uncharted territory, remained loving while living with an addict, and never gave up hope.

About Natalie is groundbreaking. It doesnt preach or pretend to offer a panacea. Instead, it offers a refreshing, authentic look at one familys struggle with addiction, easily the most powerful book published on the subject in the twenty-first century.

Dr. Maryel McKinley, PhD, CADCII, syndicated reviewer, addictions expert, former co-host/co-producer All Talk Recovery Radio CBS 97.1 FM KLSX Los Angeles Arbitron rated #1 in Southern California

About Natalie is a testimony of motherhood. Sometimes heartbreaking and raw. Sometimes insightful and brave. But always hopeful. About Natalie spreads the message that you are not alone.

Patty Aubery, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available through the Library of Congress

2021 Christine Pisera Naman

ISBN-13: 978-0-7573-2385-0 (Paperback)

ISBN-10: 07573-2385-5 (Paperback)

ISBN-13: 978-0-7573-2386-7 (ePub)

ISBN-10: 07573-2386-3 (ePub)

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

HCI, its logos, and marks are trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.

Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.

1700 NW 2nd Avenue

Boca Raton, FL 33432-1653

Cover and interior design by Larissa Hise Henoch

Formatting by Lawna Patterson Oldfield

This book is dedicated to my beautiful, fearless, funny, quirky, talented, brilliant, best thing that ever happened to me daughter, Natalie. Thank you for making me better and more than I ever thought I could be. Being able to call myself Natalies mom is when I am proudest. It is the best title I will ever have.

Forever and always, Mom

This book is for everyone suffering from addiction of any kind. We hear you. We feel your pain and acknowledge your struggle. And while we may not have perfected our methods of helping you just yet, we are trying our best and are hurrying to your rescue. We promise.

This book is also dedicated to all of the parents who suffer, struggle, and fight right along with their children. We are in this together. You are not alone.

There are so many people to whom I am grateful

T hanks to everyone who is traveling the journey of Natalies life with me.

First and foremost, as always, thanks to my husband, Peter, my one true love, who said, Yes! Lets! When I said, Want to have a girl?

Thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Highmark Health, Allegheny Health Network, East Suburban Obstetrical and Gynecological Associates, who cared for me during my pregnancy, and for helping the miracle that I know as my daughter into the world.

First you said, Yes, you are pregnant! introducing me to Natalie when she was only a wink on an ultrasound screen and a swish on a Doppler. Then, when she was born, saying, Look! Its a girl. She looks like a winner! Shes beautiful! You were right every time. None of us had any idea just how beautiful she would be.

By name they are:

Dr. Mark Rubino

Dr. Michael Pelekanos

Dr. Bernie Petticca

Dr. Elizabeth Knepp

Dr. Leonard Selednik

Dr. James Duggan

Dr. Traci Wojcik

Thank you to Dr. Elizabeth Knepp and Dr. Diem Nguyen from Highmark Health, Allegheny Health Network East Suburban Obstetrical and Gynecological Associates for helping Natalie through some difficult times.

Thanks go to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Premier Pediatrics who cared for Natalie as she grew.

By name they are:

Dr. Jeffrey Ubinger

Dr. Stephen Greene

Dr. Christine Patti

Thanks for saying, Shes a spirited one! Little did we know just how much spunk Natalie would have and how well it would serve her.

Thanks go to the people who helped Natalie grow, providing her with safe places to learn. We still speak fondly of all of you and look back on the memories created there during more innocent times.

The Rainbow Connection School, especially, Miss Tami, Miss Dana, Miss Libby, and Miss Loraine.

North American Martyrs Church and School, especially, Mr. John Marino.

St. Bernadette Church and School, especially, Sister Carol Arch.

The administration and staff of Gateway High School.

The Community College of Allegheny County, especially, R.J.

Thanks to all of you for allowing Natalie a soft place to land while embracing her with kindness and understanding.

Thanks go to the Monroeville Police Department and the Monroeville paramedics who helped keep Natalie safe and rescued her.

Thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Highmark Health, Allegheny Health Network, Forbes Regional Hospital Emergency Department who told Natalie that she had value, saved her life, and cared for her when she needed it.

Thank you to the many rehabilitation centers and clinics that have treated Natalie. Thank you to all of the therapists, counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists who have offered their care. You have all made a positive impact. I assure you of this.

Thanks go to Highmark Health, Allegheny Health Network Behavioral Health Team who continuously help Natalie through her journey.

Thank you also to Christian Blonshine and Christine Belleris (the other Christine) and everyone at HCI Books for taking a chance on me when I probably didnt deserve it. I will always be grateful to you all for allowing my words to be read.

Thank you to Janet Switzer for your knowledge and guidance.

Thank you to Patty Aubery for starting me off all those years ago.

Thank you to the staff of Kings Family Restaurant, First Watch, and Panera who poured me cups and cups and cups of tea as I wrote this book.