Prescription-Drug-Abuse Books

I had no interest in medical marijuana when I first picked up Prescription Pot, but I soon discovered this book is not some hippie diatribe. It is one of the most heartfelt, amusing and intriguing biographies I've ever read, with the ability to teach people the value of civil political discourse. This is an underdog's tale that every person dealing with pain, disability and death should experience. And the groundbreaking clinical study contained in the appendix is convincing evidence of official wrongdoing.

...because it exposes their myths, humanizes a pressing political issue, and reveals hidden casualties of prohibition. And it accomplishes this through a creative narrative that appeals to politicians, churchgoers, law enforcement officials, and ditch-diggers alike.

This book has more potential for changing public policy than a thousand pot rallies. That's exactly why some government officials hope Prescription Pot will "go gentle into that good night".

So take my advice. Be a good citizen. Become informed in your mind and heart. Just say NO to ignorance. And read this book!

Prescription Pot chronicles the amazing true life of George McMahon, one of five U.S. citizens who can legally smoke marijuana in every state. A recipient of the National Certificate of Heroism, George receives 300 pre-rolled cigarettes each month through a little-known FDA program, to treat pain, spasms, and nausea. Prescription Pot examines the medical marijuana issue through a unique account of George's courageous struggle with death, his victorious battle with daunting federal bureaucrats, his hilarious and harrowing escapades with police officers, and his journeys in search of America. George's story is encompassed within a wild and poignant trip across four states to the Arkansas State Capitol, Elvis Presley's Graceland, and Uncle Sam's marijuana farm at Ole Miss. The book includes the landmark clinical study on the federal cannabis patients.

Im George's oldest daughter Linda.
This book is the storie of my father and mothers long struggle to obtain a medicine that would give my father a quality of life he never would've attained hadn't he obtained this medicine, his family wouldnt have any kind of life either hadnt we found medicinal marijauna , who wants to grow up with a sick father ...or no father at all???
My father is a wonderful , caring man who just wants to help others with life threatning diseases..he is not a pothead on some high...he actually has a quality of life no Dr.'s wonder drugs gave him!!! He is here to see his family succeed, and his grandkids blossom ...

What if you had an illness that caused you pain, made you unable to eat, and was going to cut your life short, but there was an herbal medicine that could provide relief of the symptoms? Would you use it? What if using the medicine was a crime? George McMahon doesn't have to worry, much, about that. He has a strange congenital illness called Nail Patella Syndrome (NPS), which clogs his kidneys, causes his bones to break with little stress, and brings on muscle cramps and chronic pain. The federal government provides McMahon with the medicine he needs to ease the symptoms and live a relatively normal life. Only six other patients get it, because the federal government frets about the medicine - it has no worrisome side effects on McMahon, but the government worries that others will use the medicine as a drug to get high. McMahon is one of seven people in the United States who can legally smoke marijuana. How this came about, the difficulties it has presented for him, and the problems of other patients who could use the drug if they could get it, are the subject of _Prescription Pot: A Leading Advocate's Heroic Battle to Legalize Medical Marijuana_ (New Horizon Press), which McMahon wrote with his friend Christopher Largen. Read it and you might not think of marijuana in the way you do now.

Demerol and Percodan worked for the pain of NPS (codeine made him throw up) but they also put him into a brain-addled haze. In the sixties he smoked pot; although his fellow tokers got intoxicated and giggly, he simply got... better. The spasms eased, the pain was not so debilitating, and he could move around more. But it worried him. He didn't want to have a problem with drugs. Looking back on it, he knows he should have been concerned by the prescription pills he was swallowing which made him a junkie. He eventually found a doctor who jumped through all the paperwork hoops to enroll him into the Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program. Eventually, the doctor started receiving shipments of McMahon's medicine, ten joints a day. It continues to be his regimen, and he continues to do well.

McMahon's story isn't proof that marijuana works as medicine; it is actually just one anecdotal case history, though it is told with appealing humor and modesty. There are the stories of others told here, just as anecdotal (and some from those who have to get the pot illegally), but also just as affirming. However, there have been a limited number of studies on the few patients who get the drug legally, and the data is not just anecdotal: glaucoma, chronic pain, anorexia, nausea, and spasms can all be helped by it. That seems to make little difference to the government. In 1992, the legal medical marijuana program was closed to new applicants by the first Bush administration. The problem, as the White House saw it, was that there were too many new applicants because of the AIDS epidemic. The real problem is that the government has trouble accepting that marijuana can be anything but bad. It does not seem to matter that these patients could all be getting prescription joints, grown in a federal facility, rather than being doped up on other medications. Marijuana cannot be made easily available as a medicine, because non-patients enjoy it for fun. Given the sorts of scientific studies reported in books like _Understanding Marijuana_, continued heavy criminalization of pot use makes little sense, but as _Prescription Pot_ shows, denying it to patients who need it is simply immoral. McMahon goes out on the stump to try to convince legislators of the benefits of the marijuana he is lucky enough to get legally, and his and Largen's book is yet another part of that program. It is hard to disagree with it; patients simply deserve this option.

I investigate RX fraud by profession. This book addresses a common sense approach to life not only for the addict, but for friends and family of addicts as well. Anyone who reads this book will be moved by the stories contained within, if they have been affected by prescriptions drugs or not. I have used the advice in this book in dealing with the addicts I have encountered. Many have shown interest in reading Ms. Mogil's book and attending RxA meetings. Finally, there is a book that addresses a very significant problem in our society. Thank you.

I think the book is an excellent reference book for anyone addicted to prescription medication and their family and friends. It offers real life stories so that you realize that it (prescription drug abuse) happens to people from all walks of life for different reasons. I liked the that the book explained warning signs for recovery relapse.
The book offers practical,easy to read guidance. I also believe that the author really wants to help others and her insight to the problem makes her advice so much better than a doctor's clinical answers.

This book is so accurate. As an addict you dont feel there is anyone else like "you", but after reading this book you feel a support, because you know that others have and are feeling the same. I would have thought it was written about me at times. This book gives many tools that you need for recovery. I think everyone should read it that has a problem or knows someone with one, but also just to familiarize themselves with the dangers of prescription and over the counter drugs, because the most normal of people can get caught up and out of control before you know it. Thank you Cindy Mogil for such a wonderful insightful-hope giving book.

This is the best book I have ever read having to do with prescription drug addiction. It deals with every aspect of addiction - not only the addict but the families of the addict. It gives wonderful truelife stories and it encourages hopefuleness to overcome addiction. I would like to thank the author for sharing her story and founding Prescriptions Anonymous.

If you suspect(or know) that you or someone you love has a problem with prescription and/or over the counter medication then this is a must read for the addict as well as those who love them. In reading what I feel is 99% of substance abuse literature available, including medical and clinical sourcebooks this is the only one that truly focuses on RX abuse. Not to say that NA and AA are not wonderful and very much needed programs,but to many,myself included feel they cant relate to the people and stories shared in the meetings. This is the first book of its kind to foucs not only on RX abuse but on the person as a whole. There is a definite need for attention to Prescription Drug abuse and more importantly the Prescription drug abuser, and this book is the perfect start for those who wish to lead a life free from addiction. And, to the Author on a more personal note, I thank you for this book for with it came the start of my recovery and the start of a better life. Best Wishes to all those who are in search of help this a a perfect place and time to start.

As a former resident of CT, I find this book over the top funny! Rocks shows a well known part of CT society that has nothing to worry about on a daily basis except what pill to take and when the next social gathering will be held. This book is a must read for anyone who lives in Fairfield county, or lives in the rest of the nutmeg state.

The new second edition of Drug Abuse Sourcebook updates and expands details on illicit substances of abuse both over the counter and illegal, from depressants and hallucinogens to marijuana and more. From symptoms and effects both long- and short-term to prevention programs, addiction terms, and a directory of resources, chapters delve into all the physical, psychological and social ramifications of drug abuse, covering all the basics of intervention, treatment, and prognosis. An excellent library reference for libraries.

As a family member of someone struggling with prescription drugs I feel like I cannot have enough information. I have read and read and read many books. Colvin's book has stood out to be one of the most useful books I've come across. It is full of information but written in an easy to read way that in my desperation to learn I could get through the book easily and effectively. He includes many real life stories. Even though they are words in a book you immediately relate to the personal stories. This takes the defenses down and my family member was willing to read the book - opening doors for huge change. The word "Addiction" is scary. This book breaks things down to explain so much and gives insight on how addiction doesn't just happen to the drug dealers on the street corners - it happens to good, honest people, who just happened to have an injury or surgery that required narcotic pain meds....it could happen to my family...and it did.
I STRONGLY recommend this book to anyone who is, or knows someone who is, struggling with Pain meds.

This book gave me some excellent insights on recovery from prescription drug addiction. It was very helpful, since very little has been written about this topic.

This book is a must for anyone coping with prescription drug abuse in the family. As Rod Colvin points out, this type of addiction is a hidden problem in the U.S., yet it is so destructive to so many people. Unfortunately, the news media doesn't give it nearly the attention it deserves. This book provides a lot of good information and a lot of answers.

This book explains addiction in real life terms...no fancy medical terminology or diagnosis. The author opens with his own personal story regarding the loss of his brother to perscription drug addiction. The book is also full of other personal stories which reveal the horrors not only endured by the addict, but by the addicts family, friends, and co-workers. This book is a must for anyone who is an addict, or for anyone who's life is being affected by one.

An outstanding piece of work about a very serious drug problem. This book would be helpful to addicts who wish to recover. It would also be enlightening to family members who suffer due to a loved one's addiction.

..just wish he would read it now! It does no good for me to read it and badger him about all i discovered that could help him fight his addiction. He needs to realize he has a problem first and WANT to change!!

Addiction-Free Naturally has been an incredible resource. I have suffered from addiction for many years, and I find Mar's book an incredible resource. She encourages a program of recovery, including support networks, nutritional info, aromatherapy, acupuncture and pressure and herbal therapy as well. I had the delightful opportunity to meet Brigette when I lived in Boulder. I see that she had continued her studies and practice of her healing arts. I look forward to more books by Mars.

The Scientific Method has alluded the author. Without it, the "Gracer Method" is no different than snake oil.

This book is very informative and forward thinking. It goes beyond the 12 Step Program which is not effective for most people. Once you read the book, I suggest you contact Dr Gracer in San Ramon for a personal interview. Prometa has been a gift to our family.

This is an excellent book with facts on addiction and drugs that cause addiction. I would recommend this book to anyone that knows or has an addiction to drugs or alcohol.

This book seems more like an info-mercial for a licensed drug protocol than a researched-based factual presentation.

Dr. Gracer clearly explains how addiction happens and why it is a medical condition that REQUIRES medical treament. Written in laymen's terms, it is easy reading and the diagrams and analogies are a great help! If you know someone suffering from addiction, the best way to help might BEGIN with reading this book and SHARING it with that person, as well as family members, friends, and physicians.

Although the author was addicted to benzodiazepines, the book does address other drug dependencies as well.

Because of the serious consequences associated with benzo addiction, this book should be among the first books you buy when ready to address the issue.

The author, Joan Gadsby, is intelligent, articulate and compassionate. Because she personally fought the benzo-addiction battle, she is never judgmental or condescending. (This is why I am loathe to buy addiction books by "experts" who have not experienced the problem themselves.)

I would recommend this book without reservation to anyone who wants the advice of a real expert on what steps to take in the conservative use of benzos or in quitting altogether.

This book had a profound affect on a loved one going through withdrawl, and a severe life crisis after 20 years of Benzo addiction. Over twenty years, regular physician prescribed this drug even the doctor didn't realize how severe the addition had become. We found Joan's book an accurate description of the severe life crisis that can happen after long term prescription to this class of medications. This book has helped our family and changed the course of our life. The book includes helpful information that can assist professionals - Doctors, lawyers in helping their clients who suffer from benzo addiction. This book has helped several members in our family understand the events that caused a loved one to "crash" to the lowest point in their life. Thank you Joan for writing this book and sharing your own crisis with us.

I give this book 5 stars on everything except in one area--giving hope. If you are currently suffering depression from acute withdrawal symtoms from benzodiazepine use, this book will make you feel horrible! The first half of the book was incredible. I could not put it down. Having taken prescribed benzodiazepines for 7 years by a doctor I could relate to a lot of what she was saying. I am currently suffering from acute withdrawal symptoms described in this book. However, half way through the book the author started citing evidence how benzodiazepines cause permanent brain damage. Some of the evidence she presents states that benzodiazepines actually shrink the human brain. This was devastating to me and I believe could be detrimental to many people who are suffering. I suggest people research and read the Ashton Manual instead. You can read it for free on the web. It will give you a very clear picture of the side effects of benzodiazepine withdrawal, but instead will give you some hope. Dr. Ashton, who is a leading expert on benzodiazpine withdrawal, and has done a plethora of research herself, says there is no evidence that shows benzodiazepines cause permanent brain damage. Instead her evidence shows that symptoms decline over time. Nobody should give up hope in the very difficult process of withdrawal. That is why I give everyone a big WARNING who is suffering not to read this book!

In 1966, Joan Gadsby's four-year-old son died of a brain tumour and her trusted family doctor prescribed her a "chemical cocktail" of tranquillizers, sleeping pills and anti-depressants. Each time she visits her doctor, he gives her new prescriptions or tells her to increase her daily doseage. Soon, she sees her marriage slowly falling apart after she catches her husband with another woman. Again, her doctor adds on another prescription and sends her & her husband to a psychiatrist.

Soon enough, Joan is addicted to benzodiazepines. As a result of the drugs, she was arrested, sedated, jailed and was even told that she had a psychiatric disorder. In 1990, after an unintentional overdose that almost killed her, Joan had enough. Over a two year period, Joan slowly stopped taking the pills and survived to tell her story. This is a real eye opener for anyone who is currently on anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications. It's 2003 and I have yet to hear from a doctor that the pills they prescribe to me are addicting. I had to find out on my own.. just like Joan.

With Winona Ryder, Rush Limbaugh, and Ozzy Osbourne making headlines for their addictions to prescription drugs, this book--published three years ago in Canada--is as timely as ever and serves as a reminder that legal drug addiction is a widespread problem. Likewise, those who read Andy Behrman's best-selling "Electroboy" might see his clinical diagnoses in a whole new light after reading "Addiction by Prescription."

All too often, patients place far too much trust in their overworked doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists; take tranquilizers, benzodiazepines, and other mind-altering substances for temporary emotional problems; and ultimately find themselves trapped in a cycle of habit and despair. To make matters worse, many doctors then diagnose their newly addicted patients with clinical psychiatric ailments and minimize or neglect the source of the trouble--the drugs themselves. And, since the 1950s, this problem has disproportionately plagued women, stereotypically regarded as prone to "hysteria" by their male doctors.

Joan Gadsby's book is both a memoir and a book of advocacy. On the latter score, it is a triumph: Gadsby has gathered a mountain of evidence regarding the careless dispensation of drugs, the shady marketing practices of pharmaceutical companies, the undeniable seriousness of the symptoms caused by prolonged use, and the dangers that confront patients who try to discontinue their prescriptions. In the past few years, Gadsby's goal--to publicize the dangers of these drugs--has been made much easier by an avalanche of media attention, but her book is still valuable as a one-stop resource for the layperson looking for information on the topic.

As autobiography, however, the book stumbles. There's no arguing with Gadsby's courage or with the misfortune she has endured, and her accounts of drug withdrawal and subsequent legal battles are riveting. Her writing is technically precise, but she's no memoirist. Far too often, her recollections read like excerpts from a resume: "I was responsible for managing multi-million dollar budgets and leases, and recommended, directed, and coordinated major capital repair and upgrading projects for many Crown-owned properties." "She later moved to the operational side of WCB as director of client services and was responsible for ten area offices throughout British Columbia, traveling extensively." And there's a certain cringe factor when one reads the treacly Rod McKuen-influenced poetry that adorned her refrigerator in times of need--and which she reprints in whole, with lines like "When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever" and "Love yourself first and most." (A few people in situations similar to Gadsby's might find such inspirational material worthwhile, but bad poetry is bad poetry, and there's little benefit for the rest of us.)

Fortunately, though, Gadsby sticks mostly to her main themes, and presents a compelling and irrefutable case for the dire situation created by these prescription drugs. Hers is a voice of sanity that should--and must--be heard in order to thwart this legally perpetuated epidemic.

"When Painkillers Become Dangerous" is a book that should be read by, pretty much, everybody and anybody. In this day and age, and given the staggering statistics of the use/abuse of painkillers, it should not come as a surprise that we all will either know someone - directly or indirectly - who develops an addiction to painkillers.

This is an extremely resourceful book - one written without all the medical jargon. Drew does a phenomenal job covering an important topic in a concise and clear manner.

The book was great. Very informative. I craved the information contained about dealing with addiction, especially as a family disease. However, specifically I was looking for information about a specific drug, Oxycontin. With oxycontin in the title I was assuming there was a wealth of information contained within regarding the perscription painkiller. However, there was not. So although I enjoyed the read, it wasn't really what I was looking for.

This book is readable in one night. It is informative. It is interesting. It is helpful. And most of all, imho, it is not written like nor does it read like a text book, which can sometimes be difficult to get through. I felt, as I read it, that Dr. Drew or one of the other authors were sitting across from me talking to me about this subject! It was incredibly easy to get through and it doesn't have a lot of mumbojumbo that can be confusing to comprehend! I highly recommend reading this book and passing it on.

This is the best overview of substance abuse, its history and current treatment options that I have ever read. It is easy to read yet very thorough and easily understood by even my non-reading rehab trudging buddies but also very informative to my most sophisticated and jaded medical and mental health professional colleages. This is a must-read for everyone intested in understanding substance abuse. This was my third copy! The other two disappeared in the lending out to family, friends and colleagues. I'm tempted to just buy this by the dozen!

First, if you have read Dr. Drew's book "Cracked: Putting Broken Lives Back Together" then I would recommend this book if you are further interested addiction.

This book definitely has a different tone, as some of the other reviews complain, but don't let that turn you away! It may not be a compassionate look into a doctor's world of addiction treatment, but it's not meant to be. This book is a nice introduction to addiction, how it happens, how treatment works, and how it is genetic. It's meant more as a reference for people who struggle with addiction through a family member, friend, etc and not as something to be necessarily entertaining.

The reason I rated this book a four is because of some of the terminology thrown around in it. If not familiar with the brain structure and some basic psychology, this book may have some people doing a little more research for a better understanding. Though, if you want to learn about addiction and many of the concepts emerging today, this is a great book and has many great references included in it.

Another note, this is not a Dr. Drew book entirely. This book is simply composed of six different writers (Drew included) who discuss many different aspects of addiction.

I was able to view this article, but it is not well written. It is as a type of high school report, not being able to support research. It certainly is not worth the price, and looks like the author(s) copied most of the material from the package insert provided by the company that makes it. I have a surprise for them...the drug is not bad..it is the parents fault of leaving meds out where their children can get to them. Save your money on this one. guyairey