Hooked: Five Addicts Challenge Our Misguided Drug Rehab System (Paperback)

~ (Author)

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 the Hardcover edition.

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 the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: New Press, The (November 14, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565847792
• ISBN-13: 978-1565847798
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #479,461 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 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

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterful Work, June 25, 2001

By	M. Maran (Oakland CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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

The ultimate, and most accurate praise of Lonny Shavelson's journalism is that he makes it look easy. And how easy could it possibly have been to write "Hooked?" Following five addicts through the horrors and small triumphs of their lives--and not just following, but living it with them. Shavelson's compassion and passion are as much in evidence as his journalistic talents, and I much appreciate his willingness to inject his own observations and opinions into this page-turner of a book. It's hard to believe anything this gritty could be so, well, addictive to read--but it is. You won't fully understand America till you read this book.

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.