Chapter 13 Summary and Analysis

After another frightening User Dream, James continues to work privately on the seemingly impossible task of looking into his own eyes. The stronger he becomes, the closer he comes to looking into the darkest part of his eyes and facing himself. James relies so much on his own strength that he tells Joanne that he will know he has recovered only when he has tested himself. He plans to confront drugs or alcohol as soon as he leaves the clinic and measure himself on how well he can resist the temptation. Joanne strongly disapproves of this plan because she has seen many other addicts attempt to do the same thing, only to relapse with even greater addiction. Unfortunately, because James has such a strong aversion to AA and to authority, he completely disregards Joanne's warnings.

James learns that his parents will...