Dopesick

By: Beth Macy

Narrated by: Beth Macy

A Hulu limited series inspired by the New York Times bestselling book by Beth Macy.

Journalist Beth Macy's definitive account of America's opioid epidemic "masterfully interlaces stories of communities in crisis with dark histories of corporate greed and regulatory indifference" (New York Times)—from the boardroom to the courtroom and into the living rooms of Americans.

In this extraordinary work, Beth Macy takes us into the epicenter of a national drama that has unfolded over two decades. From the labs and marketing departments of big pharma to local doctor's offices; wealthy suburbs to distressed small communities in Central Appalachia; from distant cities to once-idyllic farm towns; the spread of opioid addiction follows a tortuous trajectory that illustrates how this crisis has persisted for so long and become so firmly entrenched.

Beginning with a single dealer who lands in a small Virginia town and sets about turning high school football stars into heroin overdose statistics, Macy sets out to answer a grieving mother's question—why her only son died—and comes away with a gripping, binge-worthy story of greed and need. From the introduction of OxyContin in 1996, Macy investigates the powerful forces that led America's doctors and patients to embrace a medical culture where overtreatment with painkillers became the norm. In some of the same communities featured in her best-selling book Factory Man, the unemployed use painkillers both to numb the pain of joblessness and pay their bills, while privileged teens trade pills in cul-de-sacs, and even high school standouts fall prey to prostitution, jail, and death.

Through unsparing, compelling, and unforgettably humane portraits of families and first responders determined to ameliorate this epidemic, each facet of the crisis comes into focus. In these politically fragmented times, Beth Macy shows that one thing uniting Americans across geographic, partisan, and class lines is opioid drug abuse. But even in the midst of twin crises in drug abuse and healthcare, Macy finds reason to hope and ample signs of the spirit and tenacity that are helping the countless ordinary people ensnared by addiction build a better future for themselves, their families, and their communities.

"An impressive feat of journalism, monumental in scope and urgent in its implications."—Jennifer Latson, The Boston Globe

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2018 Beth Macy (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

A New York Times Bestseller

Winner of the 2019 Library of Virginia People's Choice Award in Nonfiction

LA Times Book Prize for Science & Technology Winner

American Society of Addiction Medicine Annual Media Award Winner

2018 Kirkus Prize Finalist

2019 Library of Virginia People's Choice Award for Nonfiction finalist

2019 Ohioana Book Award in nonfiction finalist

Andrew Carnegie Medal shortlist

800-CEO-READ 2018 Business Book Awards Longlist

A New York Times Bestseller

One of New York Times Book Review's 100 Notable Books of 2018

New York Times critic Janet Maslin's Top Five Best Books

An NPR's On Point Top Title of 2018

One of Literary Hub's Ultimate Best Books of 2018

One of ALA's 2018 Notable Books

A Chicago Tribune Best Book of the Year

One of Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Best Southern Books of 2018

One of Newsweek's 61 Best Books of 2018

Washington Post Best Book of the Year

An Amazon Best Book of 2018

One of Anne Lamott's Favorite Books of 2018

"Macy's harrowing account of the opioid epidemic in which hundreds of thousands have already died masterfully interlaces stories of communities in crisis with dark histories of corporate greed and regulatory indifference."—New York Times Book Review, Editors' Choice

"A harrowing, deeply compassionate dispatch from the heart of a national emergency...a masterwork of narrative journalism, interlacing stories of communities in crisis with dark histories of corporate greed and regulatory indifference."—Jessica Bruder, New York Times Book Review

"This book is comprehensive, compassionate and forceful. No matter what you already know about the opiod crisis, Dopesick's toughness and intimacy make it a must."—Janet Maslin, New York Times

Revealing insight!

This gives me a unique insight into the opioid epidemic. I'm an emergency nurse, and I've thought for a long time it was a matter of "Just say no". From this book I've learned it's not and realize I as a nurse am a part of the problem. I now want to align myself to be a part of the solution.

An epidemic indeed

Enlightening and totally heartbreaking. It should be required reading for every policy maker in Washington.

So well written and told!

Everyone needs to read this book. It covers not only the opioid epidemic, but communities coming together and effecting change. How we can evolve our western care to include time to listen to patients and hear their hearts.
So well done, I loved it even though I cried several times as I was driving across the Midwest on a road trip.

shocking

Being from Southwest Virginia, this the it's way too close to home. Is shopping account of the stories of the people of this region and how the opioid/meth/ Heroin epidemic has effected rural Appalachia is heartbreaking.

Definitely worth the time.

The book started out great, it wasn’t a great finish, but then again, the crisis isn’t over.

Worth the time and the credit!

Unexpected Treasure

This book tells the story of the opioid crisis quite well.
An added bonus for me is that I live in one of the areas the author speaks of regularly in the book.
I am from the Cave Spring area and I had no idea this book was by a local author regarding local stories I know all too well.
A number of years ago, I don't remember the exact year, they split Cave Spring High Schools district in half when they built Hidden Valley High School. Cave Spring had been over crowded since I attended there in the early 80's.
My childhood home is only a mile or so from the new Hidden Valley High School.
All the stories that took place in Roanoke are quite well known to me and Ms. Macy tells them quite well.
I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn about not only addiction but what caused the opioid crisis we find our country in now.

I could have been Dopesick

In 1995 I was diagnosed with with an ovarian cyst the size of a tangerine. It was painful as hell. Prescription after prescription for Oxycontin was written. I was on it until 2001 when I began to think of them as a problem. I stopped cold turkey. Thankfully my story stopped there. It's 2019 and I have family friends who have died from over dose. I have family members who are still using. I have one family member thriving in MAT. All of their stories start with a pill. I had no idea this issue was that wide spread or documented.

AMAZING

It is truly sad that people who need these pain meds can't get them because of abuse and over prescribing by greedy pill mills...
Well written and well researched. Exceptional

Really good.. very similar to Dreamland

I really liked this book, but I had already listened to dreamland and this felt like a very similar story that I had already heard. If I had not already listened to dreamland I would have been amazed by this book and still did enjoy it.

Lacking knowledge on addiction? Read Now

narrator is great. an informative reality of what's going on around you.a must read for family members struggling to understand addiction.