"Sing no sad songs for Christopher Kennedy Lawford. We are fortunate to have his story in prose that is jazzy, rocking, sometimes dark but, in the end, bright with hope."  --- Frank McCourt

Born into enormous privilege as well as burdened by gut-wrenching family tragedy, Christopher Kennedy Lawford now shares his life story, offering a rare glimpse into the private worlds of both Washington politics and the Hollywood elite.

As the firstborn child of famed Rat Pack actor Peter Lawford and Patricia Kennedy, sister to John F. Kennedy, Christopher Kennedy Lawford grew up with presidents and movie stars as close relatives and personal friends.

In spite of a seemingly idyllic childhood, Lawford's early life was marked by the traumatic assassinations of his beloved uncles, Jack and Bobby, and he soon succumbed to the burgeoning drug scene. With compelling realism mixed with equal doses of self-deprecating wit, youthful bravado, and hard-earned humility, Symptoms of Withdrawal chronicles Lawford's deep and long descent into near-fatal drug and alcohol addiction, and his subsequent formidable path back to the sobriety he has preserved for the past twenty years. Symptoms of Withdrawal is a poignantly honest portrayal of Lawford's life as a Kennedy, a journey overflowing with hilarious insider anecdotes, heartbreaking accounts of Lawford's addictions to narcotics as well as to celebrity and, ultimately, the redemption he found by asserting his own independence.

I read only biography's. And many so called celebrity's have written thier life story, with little or no substance. Just a who's, who I slept with.....with a borish lackluster appeal for the one tortured to have to read it...some I never even finish. Few I look forwad to continue reading. This book was the latter. What an amazing life story this man has to tell. A well written life, worded with respect for the Kennnedy family. Might I add, extrememly honest and touching. He has lived an extrodinary life. Every page is an adventure into the soul of this man. Without knowing it, with this book, he has lived up to and the Kennedy expectations, by leaving footprints in the hearts of those who have mattered the most. Ordinary people. This book is a landslide victory for those in need of inspiration, hope and just an all around good read. I highly recommend it! :)