We All Fall Down Chapters 9-16 Summary

In Chapters 9-16, of Nic Sheff's memoir, We All Fall Down, Nic describes his journey through rehab, detailing his struggles, expulsion, and life after. Nic starts out making great progress in his rehab center and is told by his counselor that he is ready to take the next step into the Day Program. This all changes when Nic is caught kissing his secret girlfriend, Sue Ellen. Nic is immediately expelled and given the choice to be transferred to an all male sober house in New Mexico or be kicked to the curb. Nic refuses to go to the all male sober house, instead focusing on finding a way to be with Sue Ellen. After his parents refuse to fund his travel expenses to be with Sue Ellen in South Carolina, he reluctantly agrees to attend the sober house in New Mexico. Here, Nic attends a twelve step meeting, but abruptly leaves because he has given up on the process. He realizes he is unable to abide by their rules and leaves on his third day. Sue Ellen buys him a bus ticket to South Carolina, and he boards a bus, starting the next chapter of his life.


Nic Sheff, the author of We All Fall Down




Sheff, Nic. We All Fall Down: Living with Addiction. New York: Little, Brown, 2011. Print.