Prescription Drug Abuse: The Hidden Epidemic : A Guide to Coping and Understanding [Paperback]

Rod Colvin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1995

One of the first books to examine the serious problem of prescription drug abuse, addiction, and recovery. This book offers both support for the chemically dependent and eye-opening revelations for general readers (12 of the 20 most-abused drugs are prescription drugs). The book balances compelling anecdotes of recovery with insightful reports from experts on addiction, pharmacy, fraud investigation, consumer education, and policy making.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Colvin, whose brother died from prescription drug abuse, brings what he calls the hidden epidemic of such abuse into the light. In the course of writing his book, he talked with persons from many different occupations and activities, and excerpts from his interviews occupy a considerable portion of the text. Abusers discuss their methods and sources and disclose that many of them felt that because they had prescriptions, they were not really drug abusers. Medical, pharmaceutical, and legal personnel comment on the scope, sources, procedures, and possible solutions of the prescription drug problem. Although the presentation of that problem sometimes beautifully exemplifies how a few bad apples can give misleading pictures of their particular barrels, it also shows that a problem definitely exists. Solutions must be found; Colvin discusses some now in use, such as drug diversion control systems, and at the end of the book lists sources of additional information and help. William Beatty

Review

This book fills a long-standing void--that of the need for education about the rampant abuse of prescription medication -- Jean Sheffield, Pharmacist --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Addicus Books; 1st Edition 2nd Printing edition (July 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886039224
• ISBN-13: 978-1886039223
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,582,684 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous resource for anyone dealing with this problem, August 23, 1999

By 

Cathy S. Kohut (Woodstock, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prescription Drug Abuse: The Hidden Epidemic : A Guide to Coping and Understanding (Paperback)

This book is a must for anyone coping with prescription drug abuse in the family. As Rod Colvin points out, this type of addiction is a hidden problem in the U.S., yet it is so destructive to so many people. Unfortunately, the news media doesn't give it nearly the attention it deserves. This book provides a lot of good information and a lot of answers.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Communicates to the reader in plain English, February 2, 2003

By 

Liz (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prescription Drug Addiction: The Hidden Epidemic (Paperback)

This book explains addiction in real life terms...no fancy medical terminology or diagnosis. The author opens with his own personal story regarding the loss of his brother to perscription drug addiction. The book is also full of other personal stories which reveal the horrors not only endured by the addict, but by the addicts family, friends, and co-workers. This book is a must for anyone who is an addict, or for anyone who's life is being affected by one.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly researched, comprehensive, August 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Prescription Drug Abuse: The Hidden Epidemic : A Guide to Coping and Understanding (Paperback)

I am greatly impressed by Rod Colvin's book. It is a thoroughly researched and comprehensive resource for understanding our current epidemic of drug abuse, intervention efforts, needed changes in drug laws and policies, and resources for recovery. The book is a unique and valuable resource that combines readability and clarity with outstanding authorative references.--Alan Hollister, MD Associate Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Colorado.