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pattipie's review
2.0
The content is important and the author thoroughly researched every little detail, however I felt that Dreamland could have been edited down. There was a lot of repetition and maybe this was to make his point? Really drive the story home? For me: I lost interest.
meadforddude's review
4.0
A sobering analysis of the opioid crisis, that takes a more expansive view on the problem than "Dopesick" did (although that book does post-date this by a bit, and is marginally more current in its findings). Overall, a much less purely punishing thing to read, with a weirdly hopeful conclusion.
This is less an analysis of heroin and Oxycontin's debilitating effects on the lives of those who've become dependent on them. It's much more a call to action and, by its conclusion, a rousing reminder of the capacity for evolution we possess as a species.
This is less an analysis of heroin and Oxycontin's debilitating effects on the lives of those who've become dependent on them. It's much more a call to action and, by its conclusion, a rousing reminder of the capacity for evolution we possess as a species.
tlwatterson's review
4.0
4.4 out of 5 stars.
A really captivating book weaving together two distinct but inexplicably linked stories... Purdue Pharma and the import of black tar heroin that led to the perfect storm of the opioid epidemic. Growing up in PA on the West Virginia border, where I've known several folks who have both suffered from opioid addiction and passed away, where I worked in a pharmacy and a doctor down the road was recently arrested for operating a pill mill... this book hit incredibly close to home. The author provided several perspectives and jarring histories of the events that unfolded regarding opioids in America.
Slightly repetitive at times, this book sometimes lost me in the narrative..although perhaps indicative of the sad, cyclical nature of the opioid epidemic. There were also some time jumps that threw me off. By the end, the "heroin was delivered like pizza" metaphor was used so many times it felt like nails on a chalk board. There were some sections that felt somewhat fatphobic, but it's hard to tell if that was the author's editorial or the source perspective.
Overall, worth the read and I'm excited for future colleague and institution discussions!
A really captivating book weaving together two distinct but inexplicably linked stories... Purdue Pharma and the import of black tar heroin that led to the perfect storm of the opioid epidemic. Growing up in PA on the West Virginia border, where I've known several folks who have both suffered from opioid addiction and passed away, where I worked in a pharmacy and a doctor down the road was recently arrested for operating a pill mill... this book hit incredibly close to home. The author provided several perspectives and jarring histories of the events that unfolded regarding opioids in America.
Slightly repetitive at times, this book sometimes lost me in the narrative..although perhaps indicative of the sad, cyclical nature of the opioid epidemic. There were also some time jumps that threw me off. By the end, the "heroin was delivered like pizza" metaphor was used so many times it felt like nails on a chalk board. There were some sections that felt somewhat fatphobic, but it's hard to tell if that was the author's editorial or the source perspective.
Overall, worth the read and I'm excited for future colleague and institution discussions!
chrisjonesish's review
3.0
+++ New outlook on how we prescribe pain medication and the proliferation of heroin.
--- Takes the clinical outlook on drug abuse. Links everything to chemical hooks rather than environmental factors as well. Wanted more explanation.
--- Takes the clinical outlook on drug abuse. Links everything to chemical hooks rather than environmental factors as well. Wanted more explanation.
blainewajdowiczblinked's review
5.0
PLEASE READ THIS BOOK PLEASE READ THIS BOOK PLEASE READ THIS BOOK PLEASE READ THIS BOOK PLEASE READ THIS BOOK PLEASE READ THIS BOOK PLEASE READ THIS BOOK PLEASE READ THIS BOOK PLEASE READ THIS BOOK PLEASE READ THIS BOOK
sideshowjill's review
5.0
This is one of the most important books written in the last 20 years.
I can't stress enough how essential this book is to understanding American society today. Quinones tells the story of modern opiate addiction via several narratives. There's the story of the Xalisco Boys, a brilliant criminal enterprise in supplying heroin to many American cities utilizing the eagerness of poor Mexican farm children. There's the story of Purdue Pharmaceutical, a corporation who trained pharma reps with the mantra "opiates aren't addictive" to launch the modern-day OxyContin dependent culture we have. And there's the stories of addicts and the parents of dead addicts.
In the mental health field, opiate addicts are some of the hardest to work with. They're convinced they need these pills for their back/knee/whatever pain. Even when I get the persons with addiction on board with the idea of pain management, there's no coverage for it under Medical Assistance. I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. It's much easier to pop a pill for pain than it is to make the lifestyle changes, or attend the physical therapy necessary, to manage the pain. Insurance companies don't want to pay for the long-term, just the short-term.
Read this book.
I can't stress enough how essential this book is to understanding American society today. Quinones tells the story of modern opiate addiction via several narratives. There's the story of the Xalisco Boys, a brilliant criminal enterprise in supplying heroin to many American cities utilizing the eagerness of poor Mexican farm children. There's the story of Purdue Pharmaceutical, a corporation who trained pharma reps with the mantra "opiates aren't addictive" to launch the modern-day OxyContin dependent culture we have. And there's the stories of addicts and the parents of dead addicts.
In the mental health field, opiate addicts are some of the hardest to work with. They're convinced they need these pills for their back/knee/whatever pain. Even when I get the persons with addiction on board with the idea of pain management, there's no coverage for it under Medical Assistance. I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. It's much easier to pop a pill for pain than it is to make the lifestyle changes, or attend the physical therapy necessary, to manage the pain. Insurance companies don't want to pay for the long-term, just the short-term.
Read this book.
lottie1803's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0