From a psychiatrist on the frontlines of addiction medicine and an expert on the history of drug use, comes the landmark history of the flower that helped to build—and now threatens—modern society.
Part history text and part cultural commentary, this is essentially a biography of opium. The story, however, is far from over; there is much work to be done in addressing the opioid crisis. In this informative, insightful, and ultimately hopeful work, the authors offer concrete solutions to an epic problem.
Halpern identifies misunderstandings about opioid addiction that fuel well-intentioned but ultimately futile social and government interventions, especially in our era of the Dark Web, Mexican drug cartels, and medical breakthroughs like OxyContin. Authoritative, engaging, and accessible, this call for action offers solutions—insurance and criminal justice reforms, alternative treatments, and eradication of punishment—and avenues to greater overall understanding.
A breezy history of a substance that 'is reluctant to give up its secrets' and a somber account of futile efforts to discourage its abuse ... A fine account of opium and its misuse, which so far seems to be an insoluble problem.
