Customer Reviews

Pill Head: The Secret Life of a Painkiller Addict

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

Joshua Lyon, author of Pill Head, has penned a book that could not be more timely. Pill Head is part drug addled memoir and part thoughtful, investigative journalism; it is the story of a pill addict told with unflinching honesty, from first pill to detox. The book weaves together the stories of addicts, doctors, and governmental agents--effectively demonstrating how the lives and decisions of each are intertwined in America's new drug epidemic--prescription pills.

Lyon admits that prior to his Vicodin use, he had sampled plenty of goodies from the recreational drug grab bag; ecstasy, coke, mushrooms, marijuana and LSD. While he might have been a self professed "expert at escapism," he wasn't an addict. He was a young, experimental, gay man with social anxiety; living and working in New York City as an editor of the popular magazine Jane. He, not unlike thousands of people, partied just hard enough one night a week to be left incapacitated the rest of the weekend. But when he first got a hold of Vicodin, as research for a magazine assignment in 2003, all prior dabbling paled in sensation to this new wonder drug. That pivotal night, instead of flushing the pills as instructed by his editor, Lyon found himself defiantly taking three Vicodin and later professing out loud, "This is what I've been waiting for my whole life."

Lyon escorts us into the lives of other pill heads who were also entranced by that feeling, even as addiction led them into emotional, spiritual, physical and financial despair. We meet addicts like Jared, whose introduction to pills came from a high school inside connection at the local pharmacy and later escalated into a $45,000 habit; Caleb, whose first big OxyContin supply came from a stolen tractor trailer shipment; Heather, who doctor shopped and eventually stole prescription pads; and James Dean, charged with manslaughter because his own son overdosed from the very pills they sold together. Through Lyon's own exploits and those of others, we discover the secret trades sustaining this rampant market,

Also interspersed throughout the book are interviews with experts, like Carol Boyd, a research scientist for the Substance Abuse Research Center. who explains several factors that account for our current national level of painkiller abuse. There are currently 7 million who abuse them, which surpasses use of cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, Ecstasy, and inhalants combined. 33 million Americans admitted that they have non-medically used prescription painkillers. After all, this is a nation of pill poppers--one for every ailment--no wonder the rates of prescription pill abuse have skyrocketed.

DEA agent Mark Caverly acknowledges that the increase in painkiller abuse is related to "societal influences," and that "we turn to pharmaceuticals for everything." Lyon points out that with Generation RX, parents need to lock up their medicine cabinets, not their liquor cabinets. Not only are prescription pills popular among youth because they are easy to get but they also represent a more socially acceptable way of getting high than taking street drugs. It isn't as taboo to pop a pill, that someone "pharmed" from their mother's medicine cabinet, as it is to buy street heroin. However less taboo, it is just as deadly and the pills sometimes stronger than street drugs. Ironically, as Lyon's points out in a recent Huffington Post op-ed, there is surge in heroin use as pill heads now desperately resort to the once taboo street deals as a result of the DEA crackdown on pharmaceuticals.

Because our country has such an outdated way of understanding addiction, and drug control gets confused with pain control, there is what Lyon refers to as, "the witch hunt going on in the United States for doctors prescribing pain medication." Pill Head deftly tackles this discussion, introducing us to physicians like Dr. Hurwitz, whose lives have been ruined now that the DEA struggles to suppress the burgeoning pill epidemic. This is a current hot topic, as the DEA proceeds to take the authority to determine the legitimacy and appropriateness of a doctor's practice and doses prescribed, often at the costs of patient needs. While addicts and thieves flood the market by looting trucks full of pills, the DEA chooses to focus on diversion of pills from doctor to patient.

Lyon is not just an addict, or a journalist, but an empathetic writer sharing his story in hopes of raising public awareness. He is adept at orchestrating the many voices and layers involved in such a broad endeavor like Pill Head. The honest, raw chronicle of Lyon's own pill abuse unfolds and it becomes clear that the initial appeal of Vicodin, like "no apparent side effects" or feeling "fantastic, even when the high was over," was just a seductive illusion that slowly took over Lyon's life.

A sudden illness brought Lyon to the road of recovery, eventually landing him in detox. His ability to divulge the most intimate details grips the reader. It isn't always pretty, and the content might be intense for readers, especially recovering addicts, but the book offers us a necessary, compelling look at pill abuse; an addiciton affecting every demographic in the nation. Readers will find themselves in detox with him at the book's conclusion, anxiously hopeful and heartfelt that Lyon's illusion will finally shatter and he will take back his life. Pill Head is written with intensity, wit and is a message of hope.
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After reading all these reviews I bought Pill Head straight away. I guess it is true there is no accounting for taste. A recovering addict myself, I read lots of books about addiction. This one reads like a series of routine cheap magazine pieces strung together. Much of the time the process is glamorized, except when the addict hits bottom. There is nearly no introspection, no motivation, no attempt to discover why all these addicts are taking these drugs. It is simply: she did this, and took that, then did this, etc. etc . A big disappointment.

I would love to thank Joshua Lyon for writing this. This book was a huge comfort and also confirmed so many of the things I have personally gone through, researched, wondered and felt. I would like to read a book about Emily's story as well! Some of her quotes felt as if they were echoed from my own mind. I am already going through and highlighting my favorite parts, and will definitely be reading it again.

I am somehow drawn to books written by addicts. I'm not sure why. Maybe its because I am amazed at how much the human body can be abused and still keep going. Maybe it is because it is easy for me to see that behind every addiction is our very basic human need for love, acceptance and worth. If those needs are not met early in life and beyond, an addiction most likely will ensue. I'm not sure. I have read many books about addictions that have been written by addicts. This book, Pill Head, is a great book. The author is just fearless about his addiction and divulges many personal, private details about his decades-long addiction. I am appreciative of his open-ness, his vulnerability, and his courage. I admire his ability to write so courageously about so many nitty-gritty details of his lifestyle and addiction. I'm glad I read the book as it was very educating for me. I live in a very rural, conservative part of the country and it amazes me that there are such drug cultures out there. I would not even be able to imagine it outside of reading about it. After reading the book, I also threw away the handful of hydrocodone pills I had in the medicine cabinet from dental surgery that was done several months ago. I didn't even want the stuff in the house after reading how good medication for pain can become someone else's addiction. This book was a real eye opener for me. Above all, I'm glad I read the book because of the hope that it gives. It's an inspired book.

Running Away From Me

Last September, there was an article in Time magazine about a national epidemic of prescription drug addiction and accidental overdosing. With the proliferation of internet pharmacies and physicians prescribing more opioid painkillers than ever, the last ten years have seen a monumental increase in this type of drug use. "Pill Head" by Joshua Lyon uncovers the underworld of pain-pill dealing and the trap users find themselves in when they need help and seek treatment.

"Pill Head" is part memoir and part journalistic research into this ever-increasing pill-popping scourge. Except for the gay sex scenes, ahem, Lyon has written a heart-felt portrayal of his own addiction and the struggles of others he meets along the way. He also unveils numerous little-known facts about addiction and treatment.

The thing about pain-pill addiction is that it is so easy to hide and so easy to fall victim to. Anxiety-ridden people and those suffering from depression seem to be easy prey for the opiate monkey. It's warm embrace melts all fears and troubles away and seems to oil the gears of life, making the most tedious tasks glide along effortlessly. At first anyway. It seems that our brains have a pre-set amount of chemical neurotransmitters, and once they're burned up, the party's over. You can never go back. You've had your good times, and if you continue to grasp for more, you'll only get hell in return.

"Pill Head" looks into this and so much more, including the DEA's dubious prosecution of over-prescribing doctors, internet pharmacy scams and successful prison programs for addicts which politicians are afraid to fund. He also looks into the newest research that includes vaccinations for addiction that are already in the works, and he discovers that many treatment centers out there don't have the addict's best interests at heart.

Newcomers to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are sometimes turned off by one or two things they don't like about the program. They tend to "throw the baby out with the bath water." But they're told, "Take what you can get and leave the rest." That's what I would say about "Pill Head".


Running Away From Me

Joshua Lyon fell in love with the euphoria produced by narcotics...but this book is much more...

Like me, Joshua was no stranger to experimenting with various drugs in his younger years. He drank and tried just about anything thrown his way. Also like me, the narcotics seemed to be just the right fit. They're safe right? Doctors prescribe them so the must be. It's a false assumption made by many abusers. He discusses how prescription drugs offer this false sense of security and safety and he even presents a very nice explanation of the pharmacology of these drugs that impressed even this pharmacist- obviously he'd done his homework. Also he demonstrates how easy these drugs are to obtain.

Joshua takes us on his own journey through experimentation, addiction, and withdrawl- and visits the lives of some of some other folks at various stages of their use and abuse. Amazing how many times I found myself nodding my head, relating to the things he was saying and feeling.

The book kept my attention, entertained and educated me. After reading, I felt like I knew him personally- a true sign of a good memoir.

I purchased this as my first Kindle read, I was not sure how I would like reading on my Android phone, but I love it!!!! This book is amazing and an exact match to what had become my life as a result of serious pill addiction. His true account of the ravages of painkiller addiction and how they impact one's personal life was very refreshing as well as a little scary! Mr. Lyon does an incredible job with this book, I definitely recommend as a read not just for painkiller addicts, but readers of all variety alike.Pill Head: The Secret Life of a Painkiller Addict

Joshua Lyons did a phenominal job on this book. He took me through the start of his drug use all the way through the beginning of his recovery. It was easy to read with common lingo. It took the reader through some medical terminology which was helpful. Going to college to work with individuals with addiction issues, this book taught me alot of how a drug user thinks/feels/copes/lives. I also have friends who unfortunately are heavy drug users and this book gave me a glimpse of what they are going through on a daily basis. I highly recommend this book for someone who, like me, isnt very familiar with the drug scene but who wants to learn. Mr. Lyons opened up his heart and his life and I'm rooting for his sobriety 100%. (Now I just wish he would write a #2 book on his progress and how rehab turned out for him). I would definitely recommend Pill Head.

i bought this book about a month ago & was done reading it in 2 days...i couldn't put it down. i was impressed with the amount of research the author did, as well as his & others personal experiences. i am happy that there is such an honest description of prescription medicine...a lot of people don't realize what they are getting into when their doctors start prescribing them narcotic or opiate pain meds...this book is a must for anyone who is interested in educating themselves on addiction, prescription meds or just looking for an awesome read!! xx

I was excited to read this book based on the other reviews I read, but was not as thrilled when I actually got it in my hands. Perhaps one of the first things that turned me off about the book was the way that it switched back and forth between Lyon's story and those of others. I did not get this book to read about others, I wanted to read strictly about Lyon's trials and tribulations. The second thing that turned me off about this book was the lengthy sections with statistics and stories about doctors, those parts were a real snooze. I felt that the book was all over the place and was not focused enough for me. Many times I found myself reading just to get through the book and be finished with it.