Chronic Chaos

A Son’s Addiction, A Mother's Love, and Her Quest to Find Joy

Chronic Chaos is a memoir about mothering a son through his extravagant addictions, then learning to live, laugh, and love again after his catastrophic death. The force of Ann Marie Farino’s love for her son, Richard, will overwhelm you, as will her faith in the divine nudges that ultimately helped her endure a shattered heart. Her relatable challenges—divorce, single parenting, a blended family, mental health issues, a slew of addiction treatment programs, navigating the criminal justice system, and suicide—exist alongside nearly unbelievably hilarious moments like the FBI attempting to recruit her teenage son as an informant. Through it all, the memoir is a testament to what so many of us desire: to be better, as a parent and a person.

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ISBN: 979-8-90026-011-2
Imprint: Amplify Publishing
SKU: 18-1568-01
Categories:New Releases, Amplify Publishing, Mental Health

“A heart-wrenching read, I found Chronic Chaos impossible to put down. Ann Marie’s son, Richard, takes his mother and their entire family on a surreal ride as he courageously struggles with his mental health issues. In spite of all the chaos, their love for each other prevails and remains pervasive even after his tragic death.”

—EILEEN DAVIDSON, two-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress, author, and television personality

“At its heart, Chronic Chaos is a story of a mother’s love under impossible strain—and the courage to keep going. Ann Marie Farino writes with raw honesty about devastating depression, addiction, and grief, and the bond between mother and son continuing into an entirely new realm—all guided by Richard’s unmistakable spirit and lasting presence. Thread by thread, she turns heartbreak into meaning, and creates a softer place for others to land.”

—KIM MATER GILBERT, consultant on multiple films and tv series, including Challengers (MGM), The Dink (Apple TV), and Netflix

“As an Olympic Gold Medalist, I’ve come to understand resilience, but Ann Marie has redefined it for me. Chronic Chaos is a powerful reflection of loss, love, and the ongoing process of healing. What stands out most about Ann Marie is how deeply proud she is of her children. That pride has never wavered—even after losing her son Richard. She carries him with her every day, honoring him in ways that keep his spirit present and his life meaningful. This book is a testament to enduring love—the kind that doesn’t disappear, but transforms and continues forward with strength and grace.”

—HALEY SKARUPA, 2018 US Olympic Gold Medalist and owner of Core Talent Group

“Chronic Chaos tells the truth about something most people don’t know how to talk about—what it actually means to love someone through addiction, loss, and everything that comes after. Ann Marie Farino doesn’t soften it or clean it up, and that’s exactly what makes this book so powerful. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it forces you to feel the reality of a mother’s love that doesn’t end, even in the face of unimaginable grief. I’m proud to call her my friend—and even more moved by the way she’s chosen to share this story so others don’t have to feel so alone in theirs.”

—RACHEL UCHITEL, host of Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel

Ann Marie Farino

Philanthropist and Mental Health Advocate

Ann Marie Farino has three children—two on earth and one in heaven. In June 2016, her son, Richard, died by suicide. Ann Marie speaks to audiences of all ages about addiction, suicide, grief, and the millions of moments that remind us we are not alone. A noted philanthropist, she committed to service when she was fifteen, and her passion continues. Ann Marie is a volunteer speaker for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention speaker series, has served The Illinois Club for Catholic Women; The Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide Project of Chicago; and Loyola University, among others. A former professional interior designer, she is also a real estate broker with the Trace Team, who have exponentially grown their business each year to become one of the top-producing teams in Illinois. Ann Marie divides her time between a home in Chicago and one near Miami.

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