"Close to the Abyss" by Susanne Mahler is a poignant novel based on a true story. The author depicts the devastating effects of GBL (Liquid Ecstasy) and the addiction that plagued her husband. Over a span of five years, she describes the emotional and psychological burdens that she and her children faced as family members. Mahler addresses the challenges associated with codependency and the health consequences this situation had for the entire family. The reader is drawn into the highs and lows of this moving story, which is marked not only by pain but also by the strength of survival and hope. The author reflects on her inner struggles and the decisions she made to free herself and her family. This book is a touching narrative about love, loss, and the quest for a way out of the darkness.