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.