Hooked: Five Addicts Challenge Our Misguided Drug Rehab System [Paperback]

Lonny Shavelson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 14, 2002

Deeply felt, deftly rendered, stunningly informative and often enraging (Publishers Weekly), Hooked appears as we are finally waking up to the inadequacies of our current drug-rehab policies. With court-mandated rehab being debated across the country, Shavelson's in-depth look at the struggles of five addicts as they travel through the treatment maze makes a powerful case for reform.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For those addicts who can't afford the Betty Ford clinic, who often find themselves on the wrong side of the law, on welfare and perhaps homeless, an unnavigable labyrinth of government agencies and treatment programs presents itself. Shavelson, a physician and photojournalist (A Chosen Death), accompanies five San Francisco addicts through weeks-long waiting periods for treatment, counseling sessions, harsh residential facilities and the "war" between zero tolerance and "harm reduction" programs. In 1997, the city's new Treatment on Demand program ("rehab for all addicts who seek it, within forty-eight hours") had hundreds of takers. Addicted to alcohol, methamphetamines and heroin, and with additional issues (often ignored by the drug treatment system) of past child abuse, current spousal abuse and mental illness, Darrel, Darlene and Mike sought treatment and agreed to be shadowed by Shavelson. Later he met Glenda, when the unconventional Death Prevention Team literally kidnapped her into treatment. At Drug Court he met Crystal, who was "tightly supervised" through a yearlong process of rehab, relapse and ultimate success. Shavelson lauds the little-used Drug Court system, an alternative to criminal court where "judges are as much responsible for `therapeutic impact' as... for judicial authority," and offers specific steps for increasing its effectiveness. The dismal facts are all here, but through his five subjects, Shavelson puts heartbreakingly human faces on "the drug problem" in America. Deeply felt, deftly rendered, stunningly informative and often enraging, this powerful breakthrough book should be read by everyone interested in addiction treatment and public policy. B&w photos. Agent, Felicia Eth. (June 1) Forecast: Shavelson's A Chosen Death was serialized in People magazine; this worthy book is attracting similar notice from major TV and print media. Popular coverage and an author tour will guarantee that this new work is noticed by more than a dedicated audience of homelessness, addiction and policy workers, as well as activists and reform-minded scholars.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

The nation's war on drugs has assumed that enforcement of drug laws is the answer to our drug problems. But its dismal failure has increased interest in treatment programs as the best means of addressing drug abuse. Yet the overemphasis on law enforcement has apparently allowed treatment to be evaluated on faith rather than hard analysis. Shavelson, a doctor, follows the experience of five drug addicts in their rehabilitation programs and evaluates such treatment policies and inadequacies that are often overlooked. Shavelson follows these individuals in and out of their various programs, the courtrooms, and doctor's offices. He examines the connections between mental illness and drug abuse, and the strong association with childhood traumas, such as child abuse. Shavelson's personalized account shows a human sensitivity and concern with drug abusers, who are often viewed as social outcasts. Shavelson guides the reader through these various rehab programs with a sensitive reflection on the public and private impact of drug-abuse programs to address this vital social issue. Vernon Ford
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: The New Press (November 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565847792
• ISBN-13: 978-1565847798
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #93 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Abuse & Self Defense > Sexual Abuse

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shavelson points out failing of substance abuse treatment sy, June 20, 2001

By 

Ronald E. Hestand (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hooked: Five Addicts Challenge Our Misguided Rehab System (Hardcover)

Dr. Shaverson has pointed out extremely well the failings of our treatment system for addictions that primarily hires recovering people who are poorly trained at best, untrained at worst to treat what a highly trained specialized counselor or psychologist should be handling. Dr. Shavelson also adeptly points out that a disease is normaly treated while it's in progress, and one does not get treatment for drug addiction until they are clean! I recommend this reading to all who believe that 'AA,' 'NA,' etc., are the only way to treat addictions, and that only the 'recovering' person can treat addictions! Ronald E. Hestand, MA, MS, EdD(Candidate), Registered Addictions Specialist

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stellar clinician, June 5, 2001

By 

Dirk Woods (Novato, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hooked: Five Addicts Challenge Our Misguided Rehab System (Hardcover)

I am proud to say that I work with Dr. Shavelson. He brings great insight into this work. Anyone who wants to understand the problems of our drug culture without experiencing them first hand needs to listen to someone who is working in the trenches and has to deal with real world situations on a day to day basis. I strongly encourage you to listen to him before listening to policy wonks or drug czars.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Treatment for the treatment system!, August 18, 2001

By 

Rodger McDaniel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hooked: Five Addicts Challenge Our Misguided Rehab System (Hardcover)

Over 2 million Americans in prison, another million each year arrested on drug charges, economic development tied grimly to building prisons and jails. America made a wrong turn somewhere. It isn't like we don't know where and when. It was when we lost faith in the ability of therapists to treat addicts, became afraid and decided they must go to jail and for longer and longer periods of time. Those who understand addiction know that jail sentences do not cure it, regardless of the length. But, judges and prosecutors and victims and voters don't care. They want to feel safe. So the burden falls on those of us who believe drug treatment is a better alternative. And our confidence is shaken by pretty low success rates. Lonny Shavelson has discovered what most have missed. We cannot clean up the addicts until we clean up the treatment system. The system has built a career on convincing us that if someone does not do well in recovery it is not the fault of the therapy or therapist. "The addict just didn't want it badly enough," they say. Not true, Shavelson argues. His book is a must read for policymakers looking for what Shavelson calls, "the elusive secret to effective rehab." It is coerced treatment, make 'em go and make 'em stay long enough for it to work. But...and this is the key to Shavelson's book...the "secret lies...not only in coercing addicts into programs, but in coercing the programs to do rehab right." No legislator or governor should spend another nickel on treatment until they read this book and put it to work in the treatment system. Treatment folks should read it as a "self help" guide. Hold up the mirror to your face! For all of you, a curious thing will happen as you read this book. You will come to understand that no one just becomes an addict. Sure some make bad choices but for most the bad choices were made for them. Childhood traumas, sexual abuse, genetic predisposition. As you read about the lives of the 5 addicts Shavelson tells us about, you find yourself...caring. If we are going to meet this challenge, that is what we must do. Caring is the elusive answer. We must care enough to do what we need to do. For anyone who is involved in the substance abuse issues at any level, this book is required reading. Wonderful book.