Dopesick

by Beth Macy

[ibeforem]

I thought this was a solid book about the opiate crisis, especially in the Appalachia area. In that way, it hit close to home -- I live in the area and recognized many of the places she spoke about, and some of the events (like the TV weathermen who were outed as addicts). It's all a sad situation, and I can't say that this book offers much hope.

You get some of the history of how the crisis began and then pharmaceutical company's part in it, but more than that you get the stories of the people who are affected by it. Addicts, their families, their children, their dealers.

Probably the most important thing I got from this book was how frustrating it can be to find treatment when you are only finding success with MAT (medication assisted treatment). Many people and facilities don't consider you sober when you are taking suboxone or one of the other drugs that are meant to keep you from getting dopesick. Yet for many addicts, it seems to be their only way of staying clean -- and the studies (at least the ones referred to in this book) agree. I wonder how many others could get clean and stay clean if they only had that option.

I've enjoyed Beth Macy's work in the past, and I look forward to seeing what she comes out with next.