Book SummaryDopesick, by Beth Macy

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Dopesick

The escalation of the opioid epidemic in the United States, along with the participation of pharmaceutical companies.

This section will delve into the progression of opioid use in the United States, beginning with the initial acceptance of opiate-based substances like laudanum and connecting it to the current rise in opioid addiction, which has been fueled by the vigorous marketing and widespread distribution of pain relievers like [restricted term].

Opiate consumption in the United States has its origins in the nation's formative years.

In the 19th century, laudanum was commonly utilized.

During the 19th century, a concoction known as laudanum, which combined opium with alcohol, served as a common remedy for various conditions, ranging from mild headaches to serious tropical illnesses and substantial gastrointestinal problems. It was readily available without a prescription and widely accepted by the medical community. Beth Macy uses the medical attention provided to Alexander Hamilton after his fatal duel as an example in her discussion. In an effort to alleviate his suffering, physicians administered laudanum, but this intervention scarcely delayed his demise.

The widespread addiction that emerged following the Civil War was largely attributed to [restricted term] consumption.

Following the Civil War, administering [restricted term] through injections for various medical conditions grew in prevalence, especially when the hypodermic needle made its debut in 1853. The Civil War, characterized by a high number of deaths and wounds, led to a substantial rise in the reliance on [restricted term], often referred to as '[restricted term] addiction'. Doctors frequently issued [restricted term] along with the necessary equipment for self-administration to injured veterans, recommending that they control their own pain management. The prevalent medical protocols led to roughly 100,000 veterans becoming dependent on [restricted term]. During this time, Bayer Laboratories marketed heroin, a substance obtained from [restricted term], as a treatment for [restricted term] addiction, claiming it would not result in dependency. As the 20th century commenced, there was a marked uptick in the dependency on heroin, challenging earlier claims.

The introduction and marketing of [restricted term].

[restricted term] received aggressive marketing for a range of medical conditions not limited to cancer-related pain.

Macy details how Purdue Pharma aggressively promoted [restricted term] for pain management beyond cancer-related cases, emphasizing outreach to doctors in rural regions where disability rates were high and Medicaid was widely used. The company's representatives, driven by lucrative incentive programs that favored the promotion of higher doses, persuaded doctors to write [restricted term] prescriptions for an array of painful conditions, such as backaches, swollen joints, respiratory issues, and issues related to the jaw. The company lured doctors with a range of perks including free meals, trips, and marketing gifts such as clocks, pens, and...

Dopesick Summary The crisis involving opioids has inflicted severe devastation, especially in rural regions already facing economic hardships.

This section of the narrative delves into the significant impact that the widespread misuse of opioids has had on specific regions, especially those grappling with joblessness and economic decline, underscoring the susceptibility of the residents to the widespread dissemination of opioids and their eventual shift to using heroin.

The crisis first escalated within Lee County, Virginia.

Central Appalachia was already facing considerable difficulties with the misuse of prescription medications prior to the arrival of [restricted term].

The incidence of prescription drug misuse has traditionally been more pronounced in the central Appalachian region due to the physically strenuous and dangerous jobs like logging and coal mining. The economic decline in these industries led to monetary hardships and a rise in claims for disability, making the region more vulnerable to forceful marketing strategies for powerful painkillers like [restricted term].

[restricted term]'s impact deeply infiltrated the communities.

Purdue Pharma concentrated its promotional strategies on doctors in the Appalachian area, which had a high rate of joblessness and a considerable number of...

Dopesick Summary Community members and local organizations are actively working to address the crisis and the challenges that arise in this effort.

This segment of the narrative delves into the ways in which local individuals confront the widespread drug crisis, chronicling their successes and the various political, ideological, and economic hurdles they encounter in their efforts to advocate for an approach centered on rehabilitation instead of punishment.

Citizen activism

A group called Relatives Opposing Purdue Pharma (ROPP) came together.

Family members of those who succumbed to opioid overdoses were at the forefront of urging legal entities to ensure Purdue Pharma faced consequences. In 2003, Ed Bisch and Lee Nuss, hailing from Philadelphia's Fishtown and mourning the passing of their sons due to overdoses of [restricted term], founded an organization to challenge the pharmaceutical company that produced [restricted term].

Ed Bisch established the website Oxykills.com to commemorate those who perished as a result of opioid intoxication.

Bisch, grieving as a parent, established an online memorial to commemorate individuals who succumbed to [restricted term] overdoses, which led to the formation of RAPP and evolved into an extensive collection of information and media coverage on the growing...

Dopesick Summary The opioid crisis is exacerbated by a range of social factors and the challenges faced by efforts to control and regulate it.

This part of the text examines the deep-rooted and pervasive problems fueling the opioid epidemic, underscoring the lack of firm political intervention and the fragmented operation of America's medical and legal systems, which have permitted powerful entities to profit amid the chaos while the most affected communities suffer and the wealth of the Sackler family grows.

Economic desperation's influence

The decline of coal mining led to a substantial decrease in manufacturing jobs throughout Appalachia.

Macy highlights how individuals in manufacturing and mining-focused towns are particularly susceptible to becoming addicted to opioids, especially during times when disability claims rise and job prospects decrease.

People have resorted to filing more disability claims as a means to secure their financial future.

Beth Macy's work chronicles the surge in disability claims across the country, linking this trend to the economic slump that began in 2008 and as a tactic used by those facing challenges in finding work. The authors argue that the structure of federal disability programs unintentionally promotes a situation where individuals who were once employed are...