Addiction and Overdose: Confronting an American Crisis

"A chronicle exposing facts and challenges confronting drug addiction and overdose in America. Health and science writer Goldsmith returns with another formidable topic for young readers. Covering everything from the stigma of addiction to its effects on the brain and body, the book also divulges lesser-known information, such as the racial stereotyping that affects physicians' behavior: 'Doctors prescribe narcotics more cautiously to black patients.' Quoting a New York Times editorial, the text delves into how Congress has historically treated drug abuse as a disease afflicting mostly poor, minority communities by locking people up and observes how the epidemic of drug-overdose deaths is now ravaging white populations. In light of this, the book could have spent more time talking about the relationships between pharmaceutical companies and physicians. Goldsmith tailors some information to her audience: 'More people start using illegal drugs between the ages of sixteen and seventeen than at any other age.' The design includes tips for teens, chapter summaries of statistics, charts, graphics, and photos, as well as relevant boxed-out information. While the information presented is thorough and the facts imperative, the dire subject matter does not make for a page-turner; important details, facts, and figures risk dilution by the dozens of accounts and examples reported. Reading at times rather like a commercial for recovery programs, this text may be best suited to a health class covering the subject matter; nevertheless, a crucial topic."--Kirkus Reviews

"This title not only concisely details addiction and overdose from a scientific perspective but also incorporates the personal stories of famous and average U.S. families who have dealt with the experience firsthand. (The author dedicates the book to her sister Kerri, 'who battled the twin demons of depression and opioid use for many years.') Goldsmith offers relevant data on drugs and addiction and continually circles back to the long process of recovery. The role of pharmaceutical companies in contributing to the crisis is also discussed. Stories such as Prince's or best-selling author Ellen Hopkins's daughter's emphasize the dangers of prescription and illegal substances and provide commentary on how to confront this issue. Back matter is extensive. Though the scientific explanations of how addiction takes hold are complex, this is important information. With an abundance of photographs, graphs, text boxes, neatly labeled subheadings, definitions, and quotations, this well-structured text reads like narrative nonfiction. VERDICT Purchase this selection to update collections on social issues related to drugs and addiction."--School Library Journal

"In this text, Goldsmith tackles the havoc and tragedies caused by opioid and heroin addiction in the United States. As she explains, this type of addiction has manifested into every socio-economic stratum of society and is impacting lives all across the country. Goldsmith begins by providing an historical perspective of addiction in America, along with discussing the differences between stimulant and depressive drugs. She explains the different types of drugs and the various ways they take hold of the addicted person and reshape their brain chemistry. Famous and non-famous people who have been caught in the throes of addiction are profiled, showing how their lives were impacted by their drug choices and how they survived or succumbed to their addiction. The focus then turns to how addicts move from prescription to street drugs, and what role the medical community plays in the addiction process. The last portion of the book is devoted to recovery programs, the pros and cons of recovery drugs, and the prospects of recovery for long time addicts.

Addiction and Overdose is a well-constructed, comprehensive text. Goldsmith delivers information in small, informative pieces, not overwhelming the reader with statistics and jargon. The topics are thoughtfully arranged and the sections flow well from one segment to the next. The text provides resources for those wanting to dig deeper into specific topics. This is a much-needed book for public and school libraries as Goldsmith shows that opioid addiction is happening all across the nation in growing numbers."--VOYA

Drug overdosing and death from prescription painkillers and heroin are at epidemic levels in the United States. How do people become addicted to opioids and other dangerous drugs, and why? Meet the experts who study the neurology of addiction. Hear stories of addicts in recovery, and of loved ones left behind by those who died from overdosing. Discover more about the social and economic costs of overdosing and learn about scientific research to decrease it. Learn about the connection between addiction and mental health disorders. Find out how to identify signs of addiction and overdose and what you can do to help someone get assistance.