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Dopesick

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Dopesick

By: Beth Macy
Narrated by: Beth Macy
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About this listen

A Times book of the year.

Beth Macy reveals the disturbing truth behind America's opioid crisis and explains how a nation has become enslaved to prescription drugs.

This powerful and moving story explains how a large corporation, Purdue, encouraged small-town doctors to prescribe OxyContin to a country already awash in painkillers. The drug's dangerously addictive nature was hidden, whilst many used it as an escape, to numb the pain of of joblessness and the need to pay the bills. Macy tries to answer a grieving mother's question - why her only son died - and comes away with a harrowing tale of greed and need.

©2018 Beth Macy (P)2019 Head of Zeus Mental Health Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences Health

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Critic reviews

"A shocking investigation...[Dopesick] is essential." (The Times)

"Shifting effortlessly between the socio-political and the personal, Macy weaves a complex tale that unfolds with all the pace of a thriller." (Observer)

"Dopesick is a deep - and deeply needed - look into the troubled soul of America." (Tom Hanks)
All stars
Most relevant
This is a well written and well researched account of the causes and effects of the OxyContin and heroin addiction problems in the US. It is a first person account and I thought that the author read it well. The victims and their families are described with sympathy and compassion. I haven’t seen the Disney drama of the same name, but I think that this focuses on certain chapters of the book. I enjoyed this, particularly the parts dealing with the drug company’s ethics and the complexities of health care in America (I work for NHS in UK). I bought this when it was the daily deal. I am not sure if I would have paid full price.

Gripping journalistic account of America’s opioid crisis

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Beth has investigated the opiate crisis and critically analysed how opioids medicine took over normal lives. Overall, Beth talks about history, marketing, crime and treatment package into this book.

Opiate Crisis

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This book brings to life the opioid crisis, but needs re-recording with a professional narrator.

Interesting, but don't recommend the audiobook

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I downloaded this after watching the TV show.

Unlike the TV this isn't as focused on the Sackler Family.

I found it a bit distressing at times and especially the epilogue.

I see some people have remarked on the narrator but I had no issue and it can be a thing which annoys me.

At the end of the book I'm firmly of the view the author needed to be the narrator.

A soild 5 from me.

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This is a heartbreaking read, you often can't believe what you're hearing. It's just so unreal how much large companies like Purdue get away with, and continue to get away with. The narrator is clear.

Makes you angry

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