
In A Higher Love: A Journey Through Addiction, Cannabis-Induced Psychosis, Suicide and Redemption, Heather Bacchus takes readers on an intimate and powerful journey through the heartbreaking loss of her 21-year-old son to cannabis-induced psychosis and suicide. This true story weaves personal experiences backed by scientific evidence about the underestimated dangers of today's high-potency cannabis products especially on the developing brain.
Heather candidly shares their son's struggles with addiction, his mental health issues triggered by his marijuana use, and the devastating consequences that followed. She also sheds light on the pain, confusion, and guilt that families often endure while navigating a loved one's addiction and mental illness.
More than just a memoir, A Higher Love is educational and a call to action. It combines the Bacchus family's tragedy with research-based insights into the evolving risks associated with modern-day cannabis. Heather draws on her roles as a mother, educator, and advocate to urge parents, teachers, administrators, professionals, and communities to have critical conversations about today's high-potency marijuana products to prevent youth cannabis use.
At its heart, this book is a story of redemption. Heather and her husband, Randy, transform their great grief into a mission to save lives by bringing awareness and sharing a prevention message. They offer hope and healing for others walking a similar path and encourage society to reexamine assumptions about a "harmless" substance.
A Higher Love is a raw, honest, and deeply inspiring book that will resonate with anyone seeking to understand the complex intersections of high-potency cannabis products, addiction, mental health, suicide, and family resilience. Above all, it is a testament to the many types of love, the enduring power of love, and how love, trust, and strength can create resilience and help to find purpose in unimaginable loss.
"Heather chronicles a mother's heartbreaking journey of love and faith when faced with the unthinkable. A Higher Love is a love story like no other, and a must-read for ANYONE who underestimates the dangers of today's marijuana and its ramifications for mental health." - Lynn Bartol
"A Higher Love: A Journey Through Addiction, Cannabis-Induced Psychosis, Suicide, and Redemption is a heartfelt and insightful chronicle of a family tragedy, carrying an urgent warning for parents and teens: There isn't a challenge of being a teenager that cannabis won't make worse. Interwoven with research-based facts, Heather Bacchus describes the downward spiral of her son, Randy Michael, whose initial curiosity about cannabis led to an addiction to THC, the onset and worsening of mental health issues, and ultimately, suicide. This may be a difficult read for parents raising teens in today's landscape of high-potency cannabis, but it also offers hope. Heather provides valuable insights so parents can protect their children from the devastating effects of cannabis addiction and suggestions for those currently living with a loved one in active addiction."
- Dr. Ken C. Winters, PhD
"Heather's vulnerability and deeply intimate approach quickly draws you into her family's personal, yet relatable journey with addiction and mental health. The book gives you an alarming look at the dark underbelly of today's marijuana industry, provides much-needed insight and education, and it also brings hope and faith after unimaginable loss. An important read not just for parents and young adults, but for health care providers and educators, along with anyone who's currently struggling or knows someone who is. Emotional, powerful, and informative, I believe this book will help save lives." - Jenny Schuna