We Grow Accustomed to the Dark

A fierce, luminous memoir about the life and death of a young woman who struggled with addiction, the systems that failed her, and her sister’s quest to understand what might have saved her—and could still save others

Like many Americans, Madelyn Linsenmeir fought for years to recover from opioid and stimulant addiction—attending 12-step meetings, going to inpatient treatment, attempting to access medications. But no matter how hard she tried, or how much her family tried to help, Maddie continued to relapse; each time, the consequences were more severe.

So her oldest sister, Kate O’Neill, was relieved when Maddie was arrested. She’d been unhoused for months, and every day brought new headlines about overdose deaths. If her sister was in jail, O’Neill believed, at least she was safe. A week later, Maddie was dead, not of an overdose but a treatable heart infection.

Grieving not just Maddie’s death but everything she’d endured while she was alive, O’Neill wrote an obituary that openly addressed Maddie’s addiction. It went viral as people recognized themselves—or their children, siblings, parents, partners, or neighbors—in Maddie’s story. Soon after, O’Neill quit her corporate job and began reporting on addiction, trying to answer the questions that haunted her and her family: Why couldn’t Maddie recover, despite how hard she’d tried? Why did she die? What might have saved her?

Blending intimate family narrative with an investigation into the forces that shape the lives of people who use drugs, O’Neill reconstructs her sister’s life and examines the systems that led to her death. In so doing, she challenges how we understand addiction and define recovery, finding hope in approaches that are already saving lives and sharing hard-won wisdom for surviving systems meant to punish instead of protect.

We Grow Accustomed to the Dark is the unforgettable story of one family, a devastating account of our national addiction crisis, and an urgent call to replace stigma and punishment with compassion and care.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs