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“Only one in ten addicted Americans gets any treatment at all for his or her substance use disorder”
The word "Dopesick" refers to the sickness that a drug addict experiences when they are coming down off their drug of choice. This is the point in time that addicts are at their worst. They will usually do anything to get their hands on drugs to prevent that feeling. Hence, the circular trap - they are no longer seeking that 'high', but seeking a fix to prevent being dopesick.
Here in the UK, we are fortunate to not face an opioid crisis, and as an NHS nurse, we uphold strict regulations regarding opioids and prescriptions. I've had a profound interest in and closely followed the opioid crisis unfolding in America, as well as its ramifications for the public, those grappling with addiction, and healthcare professionals.
@Bethmacy has done excellent work and crafted the most harrowing stories relating to the crisis. @Bethmacy gives the narrative of personal, tragic stories from those addicted, the family of those addicted, health care professionals and then those who volunteer. Through each story, the more harrowing it becomes and you can see the effect this epidemic has on the different states in the USA.
The whole book is an emotional rollercoaster, you feel the sadness and desperation and the anger and fury of those in power, those who created the drug and those in sales who are representing the drug. @Bethmacy gives examples of the countless voices that warned of the impending and escalating crisis and epidemic and how they were consistently ignored whilst addiction overtook each area.
I’ve seen addiction in a personal and professional environment and I’ll be forever grateful and will defend the NHS right until the end. From this experience, it is hard to understand and comprehend the American health care system, it feels as though it is set up to punish and fail those who are in need and then they are left to try their best, but how are people supposed to overcome these challenges and get better when the support and health isn’t there.
Dopesick will keep you reading and keep you shocked until the very last page. @Bethmacy fills you with enlightening and invaluable knowledge. This is not a feel-good read, nor is it a solution or a book with an ending where the problem is fixed. This epidemic will not end quickly, or easily and will continue until those in power see the bigger picture. The stories of those affected have been humanised and treated with dignity throughout.
“We need to support this as a chronic disease the same as we support cancer and other diseases”.
I’ve been blown away by Beth Macy's work on this book and I would happily look into more of what she has done. This will be another book I’ll be recommending.
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