11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Somewhat syrupy, but a valuable resource nonetheless, December 21, 2003
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.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
WARNING!, September 1, 2006
This review is from: Addiction by Prescription (Paperback)
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!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book has helped our family, April 13, 2004
This review is from: Addiction by Prescription (Paperback)
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.
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