The months of stress and social isolation from the Coronavirus pandemic created a “national relapse trigger” for thousands of individuals in substance abuse recovery. For those wrestling with active opioid or other narcotics addiction, finding help became even more difficult because COVID-19 meant reduced hours, cancellation of programs, or closures of facilities. It was a bad movie: the pandemic meets the epidemic.

Nearly 72,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2019, compared to the 200,000 American deaths to COVID-19 in the first 9 months of 2020. Both numbers are devastating statistics. Drug-related deaths impact people of all ages, including teens.

Swallow the Rainbow by Khristina Chess

Swallow the Rainbow by Khristina Chess is a new release in a small but growing list of YA books about the opioid epidemic that is predicted to claim hundreds of thousands of lives over the next decade. Inspired by the actual storms of April 27, 2011, this novel is the story of Savannah Young, a teen soccer star who is stranded with the neighbors following an outbreak of devastating tornados. The worst part isn’t the car on her roof, the isolation from her friends, or the fact that her mom is missing.

She’s out of pain pills. And when withdrawal sets in, she’s going to get very, very sick.

Wow! Swallow the Rainbow hooked me from the first page and never let me go. What I love most about this book is Savannah’s voice and unique way of looking at the world, especially in the aftermath of the tornadoes. I love the tree stuff! And the romance with the neighbor boy. And the cat. This isn’t the usual stereotypical teen addiction story.

You won’t want to miss this important YA book featuring characters dealing with substance abuse, recovery, and grief. Fans of Heroine will enjoy this one.

Why Books?

Despite the tragic toll of the opioid crisis on young people, few YA novels exist that actually feature characters dealing with substance abuse and recovery. Why? Reading these stories gives important insight into understanding how addiction can take hold of friends, siblings, children, or other loved ones and forever change life for everyone.

Reading books about heroine and pain pill abuse can help save lives by illuminating what the symptoms and behaviors of narcotics abuse looks like. Through the dramatic power of story, someone may recognize that something is wrong in their own life or in the lives of one of their friends or loved ones. Reading stories through the character’s viewpoint may also grant an additional level of compassion for someone wrestling with addiction. In the best scenario, holding up a fictional mirror leads someone to seek help.

In addition to Swallow the Rainbow, you can also find YA Drug & Substance Abuse Novels on Goodreads, but those lists are broad and do not necessarily focus only on characters wrestling with opioid addiction.

Khristina Chess is the award-winning author of several YA novels about troubled teens turning corners. You can find her on Amazon, Goodreads, and Twitter as an active daily contributor in the #5amwritersclub.