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Mum, Can You Lend Me Twenty Quid?
- What Drugs Did to My Family
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Burton-Phillips
- Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins
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Mum, Can You Lend Me Twenty Quid?
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Summary
Elizabeth Burton-Phillips is a teacher, an ordinary middle-class mother who had always tried to do the best for her children. She never imagined that her identical twin sons, who had been doing so well at school, would become involved in drugs. She was shocked when they were suspended from school for smoking cannabis, but this was just the start of a terrible, unimaginable journey - culminating in the knock on the door in the early hours by the police.
They gave her the devastating news that her son Nick had killed himself in despair at his heroin addiction. Since his death, Elizabeth has campaigned tirelessly to make parents aware of the pain and suffering caused to families by drug addiction and her surviving twin, Simon, now drug-free, has contributed his own thoughts to this inspiring and moving book.
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What listeners say about Mum, Can You Lend Me Twenty Quid?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- George Hobbs
- 05-06-23
Heartbreaking read.
Although I thankfully have never had to deal with these issues, I found it the most moving, sad but inspirational story that I have listened to in a long while. Quite a few tears were shed and I also found myself thinking of my own grown up boys and how possibly by the skin of my teeth I have managed to avoid such trauma.
It very much brought it home, how such horrendous addictions could affect our own lives at any point.
I did find Elizabeth’s voice quite hard to connect with at first as it is quite clipped and unemotional. However, I would encourage people to stick with it as you soon do connect very much with her pain, sorrow, bravery, trauma and utter love for her sons even thought that love didn’t always help matters.
A wonderful book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- James Drewett
- 20-05-22
Shocking, devastating and inspirational
I would highly recommend this to everyone. None of us know if or when our lives might be affected by drugs. Addiction not only affects the addict but the people who love them and support them.
An inspirational read.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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- Amy
- 27-06-24
Very honest
The narrators voice grated on me, I think it was a bit robotic, with pronunciations being excessive at times, it took away some warmth from the story, it was also difficult at times to immediately recognise who she was narrating as the voice is the same the whole way through with no real emotion or change of tone.
Overall a really good read, highlighting the unspoken and perhaps taboo areas surrounding drug/ alcohol use, the affect on everyone involved and the seriousness of the outcomes.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- N R Boyles
- 05-02-24
Thank you for writing this
My only son is a drug addict and we are trying to navigate our way through this. The support of Drugfam has been so valuable and helpful to me. I’ve still got so much to learn to help myself and I appreciate Elizabeth’s frank disclosure about the reality of addiction for us as a family. Thank you again.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Moxy
- 16-08-24
This was brilliant in a very sad way. Such a harrowing true story but very informative and interesting.
This title is a must listen! It was so sad and I cried at times but it was so very informative and interesting and I couldn’t stop listening. I’ve listened to this title in 2 sittings. Just wanted to hear how things went. The narration was fantastic and it’s hard to find any fault with this story whatsoever. It is worth more than 5 stars for everything about it. I wish the family every success and luck for the future and hope many people suffering can learn from this book. So sad but it was excellent.
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- Lesley
- 26-06-24
Heartbreaking reality of parenting an addict!
Thank you for breaking down stereotypes that addiction only happens to certain families. it's happening to all of us. The stigma that accompanies it is born out of nothing more than ignorance! my AS remains respectable and thus far it's not visibly evident it has however landed him quite the criminal record. I've broken my heart along with you as you've described so many situations. I'm so sorry that Nick couldn't fight the fight anymore. I believe some people just need to return to the mothership. Massive well done to Simon and his recovery. We know it's a daily fight and he's winning his battle. Your husband must be quite the man to have stayed around the devastation.
Thank you for sharing 💔
Love one another
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- KM Greenway
- 05-08-24
Sad but inspiring story
Heart breaking but important to hear story . Unfortunately the reading of it was somewhat stilted but I persisted as I realised this was the mother herself not a voice actor .
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Moira
- 17-07-24
honesty
My heart goes out to Elizabeth, Steven and family. What a heart wrenching,wonderful book.
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- Bambam
- 16-07-24
true grit and honesty!!!
amazing hard read but, shouldn't this be taught in school we talk often about. it will stop the desire for drugs... it may stop more importantly potential drug offenders
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- GOS
- 30-05-24
Eye opening and harrowing tale. Forget Of Mice and Men in our Secondary Schools this should be read and analysis!
The reality of the devastation drug addict causes laid bare. A must read for anyone struggling with a loved one with substance misuse or anyone looking for knowledge on the subject.
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