Heroin (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Her eyes closed in spite of herself, and she forgot where she was and fell among the poppies, fast asleep..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, United States, New Jersey (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Heroin is recommended reading for both the general public and addiction treatment professionals. It provides a wealth of information of great value in understanding heroin addiction and treatment." -- Mark Parrino, M.P.A., President, American Methadone Treatment Association

"If ever a comprehensive book on heroin were needed it is now, and Humberto Fernandez has filled that need by providing a fully developed history, psychology, physiology, and pharmocology of heroin addiction. Moving on from those basics, Heroin explores the variety of treatment approaches, presents case histories of addicts, and places the drug within a detailed social context that includes public health, organized crime, the criminal justice system, popular culture, and the media." -- David E. Smith, M.D., Founder, Haight Ashbury Free Clinics & Richard B. Seymour, M.A., Managing Editor, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

Product Description

We see it in films like Pulp Fiction and Trainspotting, read about it in the obituaries of stars like Kurt Cobain, hear about its resurgence in the latest news. We know all about heroin-and yet, beyond the myth of its powers and dangers, how much do we really know about this evermore pervasive drug? The definitive reference on the drug's history, pharmocology, psychology, and sociology, this groundbreaking work also offers a spell-binding account of heroin's power and persistent allure. Animated with vivid personal stories and vignettes, Heroin puts a human face on the long and complex story behind this notorious drug.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Hazelden (May 14, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568381530
• ISBN-13: 978-1568381534
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #332,751 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As a heroin addict I loved this book, February 3, 2002

By	Billie Jean Peterson (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

As a heroin addict I loved this book, I read it over and over the stories were very real and the information very correct, I highly recommend this book to anyone... esp if you are a family member of an addict, an addict or work in the field of addiction, I myself have spent 28 days at The Betty Ford center, in addition to at least 39 other programs so I have a fair amount of knowledge of the subject and I still learned much from this book.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An in-depth review of all aspects of heroin, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

From the nomadic tribes of the Middle East centuries ago, to the streets of America's cities today, to suburban homes tomorrow; "Heroin" offers an in-depth review of every aspect of the drug as we know it. Humberto Fernandez has crafted a finely detailed look at a killer that we know too little about. With personal stories from recovering and active addicts, Fernandez shows us the every day life of an addict. His detailed account of the origins of the heroin trade points out the incredible staying power that this drug has shown. The author also goes into great detail explaining the history of medical treatments that we have tried using to get the drug under our control. All in all, "Heroin" is a comprehensive and educational look at a subject that we all might be a little scared to face head on. Fernandez has done an excellent job at helping us take that first peek.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth about heroin, told with feeling and power., September 24, 1998

By A Customer

This is a beautifully written, deep and wide-ranging examination of the origin, use, effect and politics of heroin. It reports with great feeling and power the personal stories of those caught up in this life-destroying drug. It should be must reading for every legislator, community leader, drug counselor -- and parent.