Life has a way of unveiling its darkest secrets in the most unexpected moments. For writer Sophie Calon, it was Boxing Day 2021 when her world was shattered by the loss of her father to alcoholism. A sudden death at just 55 years old, his demise was as inexplicable as it was devastating for those left behind. The tragic fate of this once successful equity partner and pillar of his community highlights a harrowing reality: addiction knows no boundaries.
In an era where mental health has become increasingly visible, stories like Calon's serve as poignant reminders that substance abuse can strike anyone, regardless of social standing or family background. Her memoir, Long Going, chronicles the complex bond she shared with her father, whose struggles with addiction began to unravel his life – and ultimately took it away from those who loved him.
As Calon navigates this dark period in her own life, she finds solace in writing – a therapeutic outlet that allows her to confront the questions she's been too afraid to ask. How could someone so full of life succumb to the all-consuming grip of alcohol? What can we do to help those struggling with addiction? These are the very questions Calon grapples with, forcing readers to confront their own understanding of this complex issue.
Memories of her father resurface in the pages of Long Going – moments that showcase both his bravado and vulnerability. It's in these intimate scenes that Calon reveals the devastating impact of addiction on those left behind: family members who struggled to cope with the erratic behavior, friends who felt powerless against a loved one they could no longer save.
Beyond Calon's personal story lies a deeper narrative – one that underscores the pivotal role that recovery memoirs can play in breaking cycles and fostering empathy. By sharing their own struggles and triumphs, writers like Sophie Calon create windows into worlds both familiar and alien, forcing us to confront our own biases and misconceptions about addiction.
In recent years, books like Always Winning by Ashley Walters, In the Blood by Arabella Byrne and Julia Hamilton, and From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle have emerged as powerful testaments to the human spirit's capacity for resilience. These stories remind us that sobriety is not just a destination but a journey – one that requires courage, vulnerability, and support.
What unites these writers is their ability to distill the complexities of addiction into moments of profound clarity: life would be better without alcohol. For each of them, this conviction marks a turning point in their story – a moment when they began to let go of destructive patterns and forge new paths forward.
As we reflect on Calon's memoir, we are reminded that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to addiction. Ego and societal expectations can create cycles that are difficult to break. Yet, it is precisely in these moments of vulnerability – when writers like Sophie Calon share their own stories of struggle and recovery – that we find the power to empathize and connect.
Ultimately, Long Going is more than just a memoir about addiction; it's a testament to the enduring bonds between loved ones and the transformative power of words.
In an era where mental health has become increasingly visible, stories like Calon's serve as poignant reminders that substance abuse can strike anyone, regardless of social standing or family background. Her memoir, Long Going, chronicles the complex bond she shared with her father, whose struggles with addiction began to unravel his life – and ultimately took it away from those who loved him.
As Calon navigates this dark period in her own life, she finds solace in writing – a therapeutic outlet that allows her to confront the questions she's been too afraid to ask. How could someone so full of life succumb to the all-consuming grip of alcohol? What can we do to help those struggling with addiction? These are the very questions Calon grapples with, forcing readers to confront their own understanding of this complex issue.
Memories of her father resurface in the pages of Long Going – moments that showcase both his bravado and vulnerability. It's in these intimate scenes that Calon reveals the devastating impact of addiction on those left behind: family members who struggled to cope with the erratic behavior, friends who felt powerless against a loved one they could no longer save.
Beyond Calon's personal story lies a deeper narrative – one that underscores the pivotal role that recovery memoirs can play in breaking cycles and fostering empathy. By sharing their own struggles and triumphs, writers like Sophie Calon create windows into worlds both familiar and alien, forcing us to confront our own biases and misconceptions about addiction.
In recent years, books like Always Winning by Ashley Walters, In the Blood by Arabella Byrne and Julia Hamilton, and From the Ashes by Jesse Thistle have emerged as powerful testaments to the human spirit's capacity for resilience. These stories remind us that sobriety is not just a destination but a journey – one that requires courage, vulnerability, and support.
What unites these writers is their ability to distill the complexities of addiction into moments of profound clarity: life would be better without alcohol. For each of them, this conviction marks a turning point in their story – a moment when they began to let go of destructive patterns and forge new paths forward.
As we reflect on Calon's memoir, we are reminded that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to addiction. Ego and societal expectations can create cycles that are difficult to break. Yet, it is precisely in these moments of vulnerability – when writers like Sophie Calon share their own stories of struggle and recovery – that we find the power to empathize and connect.
Ultimately, Long Going is more than just a memoir about addiction; it's a testament to the enduring bonds between loved ones and the transformative power of words.
. It's so sad that her dad had to go through what he did with his addiction. But what really gets me is how it's affected people around him - family and friends who just wanted to help but didn't know how 
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. It's not just some issue that affects 'crazy' people, it's something that can happen to anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances 
But at the same time, I'm grateful for writers like Sophie who are willing to share their experiences, because it's definitely helped me see things from a different perspective 
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I'm glad Sophie Calon shared her story in 'Long Going' but honestly, how can we expect people to tackle their own demons when they're barely honest with themselves? Addiction knows no boundaries and yet we still judge those who struggle with it 
. Recovery memoirs are a great start but what about the support systems that fail them? We need to be more than just empathetic listeners - we need to help create sustainable change 
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. Writing seems to be helping her cope with her feelings and maybe even find some answers 
. Recovery is hard, but sharing our experiences can make all the difference 
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. I mean think about it, rich people like Sophie Calon's dad can still end up losing their lives to booze 
. It's like we're all human, you know? We all have our struggles 
. I'm not saying it's easy or that we should just start writing about it or something 
but sharing our experiences can really help break the stigma around addiction 
. Anyway, Long Going is on my to-read list now 
!
Like it really helped her process all those emotions after losing her dad. Her story is super raw and honest, it's like a punch to the gut in the best way possible 
. We need more writers sharing their struggles with addiction, it helps break down stigmas and gives people hope for recovery. 
And I love how she highlights the importance of empathy and understanding – we can't just pat people on the back and say "get help" without really listening to what they're going through 
. It's crazy how one moment can change everything and I feel like we should be doing more to help people struggling with addiction 
. I mean, it's not just about the person who's addicted, but also their loved ones who suffer too 
. I mean, 55 years old is way too young for someone to go through that kinda struggle with addiction. It's like, what even is the point of having a plan B when you can just have no plan at all? 
I mean, don't get me wrong, more voices sharing their stories are exactly what we need - it's time to break down those stigmas & show people that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness 
. If we really needed education on addiction, we'd be reading about it in medical textbooks, not from memoirs written by people who are basically 'I'm shocked that my rich dad died of booze'. It's time to stop coddling the egos of writers and start having real conversations about the root causes of addiction.
A writer sharing their story about addiction can really help us understand how complex it is. We should be proud of people who are brave enough to talk about it. I love how the book isn't just a sad story, but also shows how her dad's struggles affected those around him and how she found healing through writing.
. Her book seems like a really powerful tool for sparking conversations & creating empathy. But what bothers me is the stigma surrounding addiction, making people feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk about it 
. I love how her memoir is more than just a story about addiction - it's about the human connection and the power of words to heal 
. Her story is so brave & raw 
. The fact that writers like her are sharing their stories is so powerful - it helps break the stigma & creates a safe space for people to open up about their own struggles 