Heroin

by Humberto Fernandez, Richard B. Seymour (foreword), David E. Smith (foreword)

We see it in films like Pulp Fiction & Trainspotting, read about it in obituaries of stars like Kurt Cobain, hear of it in the news. We know all about heroin--yet, beyond the myth of its powers & dangers, how much do we really know about this evermore pervasive drug? This book provides a much needed, up-to-the-minute, comprehensive, no-nonsense examination of the drug from the discovery of opium by the Sumerians 7000 years ago to the use, abuse, treatment & meaning of heroin today. The definitive reference on the drug's history, pharmacology, psychology & sociology, this groundbreaking work also offers a spellbinding account of heroin's power & persistent allure, its medicinal benefits & destructive nature. Animated with vivid personal stories & vignettes, "Heroin" puts a human face on the long complex story behind this notorious drug.
"If ever a comprehensive book on heroin were needed it is now, & Humberto Fernandez has filled that need by providing a fully developed history, psychology, physiology & pharmacology of heroin addiction.--David E. Smith, MD, Founder, President & Medical Director, Haight Ashbury Free Clinics, Inc., & Richard B. Seymour, MA, Managing Editor, "Journal of Psychoactive Drugs"
"Heroin" is recommended reading for both the general public & addiction treatment professionals. It provides a wealth of information of great value in understanding heroin addiction & treatment."--Mark Parrino, MPA, President, American Methadone Treatment Assn

Genres: Nonfiction

344 pages, Paperback

First published May 14, 1998

Reviews

[Erik Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent overview of the psychopharmacology, psychopathology, sociology, economics and politics of heroin--a real synoptic representation of the drug and its history. A latter, second edition has since been published and should probably be read instead of this older work. For more on the politics of heroin, McCoy's Politics of Heroin & his earlier The Politics of Heroin in Southeast Asia (the better of the two, but not accounting for the move of heroin production--with our troops--to Afghanistan) are still the most illuminating books I've encountered.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very in depth on all aspects.....history, use, treatments, criminal justice system, etc. I think the case studies were the weakest part of the book. It would have been nice if they had been more varied.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a therapist working with heroin addicts, this book helped educate me on the drug and even the politics behind the drug trade, treatment/recovery,etc.

[Ahmed · Rating 3 out of 5]

كتاب لاباس به....فيه معلومات كافية عن مادة الهيروين والادمان المرضي الناتج عن طريقه....ولكن عنوان الكتاب بعيد جدا في رايي عن المضمون...خاصتا في مجال علم الادوية
Phamacology
سرد انشائي سريع ممزوج برؤوس مصطلحات في علم الادوية...كنت اتمنى ان ارى عمق اكثر في الكمية والجودة في هذا المجال...
المجال الاجتماعي والسياسي كان له الحظ الاكبر في هذا الكتاب ولو سمي بال
Heroin Its Sociological and political aspects
لكان اكثر دقة وانصاف.....
________________________________
An acceptable book regarding the knowledge it provided on the Heroin addiction and its epidemic abuse......But the unfortunate choose of the title was confusing and incorrect....I was expecting an academic depth regarding, especially, pharmacology and also, in a less extent, the treatment. I was hoping to see more depth in the quantity and quality in those area. In the otherhand an astonishing depth on the political and sociological aspect were presented...to the degree where the title should really be named:
- Heroin Its Sociological and political aspects

[Beth Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you ever wanted to know about the stuff but were afraid to try and afraid to ask. Very clearly written for adults, very objective and very readable.

[Siksik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very informative but poorly written. Enthusiasm and dedication often make up for the flaws in composition.

[Laurel Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heroin use and over use 'addiction'

Who ever knows anything about that other world. The war on drugs is such a scam with the government just having to spend more money every year to maintain any semblance of winning anything except maybe spending money and keeping people employed. What a lousy job too when it's so volatile. All these drugs are used for medication so why to not treat it like that. When people are sick, they try to get feeling better so why not help them. It would be cheaper than this 'War on Drugs', I would think. Most of the money just goes to kill people this way. People are sick and they need help for wellness and some kind of better existence. You don't have money when you don't know how to spend it wisely.

[Jeremiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. I was a bit disappointed though. It lacked the focus I had hoped for and grown to expect from similar books. The book deveolved to a discussion of America's drug policy, but this discussion lacked the depth of description, and the focus on heroin that would have made it beneficial. There were a series of vignettes discussing the life of addiction, which, while interesting, felt flat after the second interlude. All in all, I would try to find another book on this topic if I wanted to learn more about the role of heroin.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read! The beginning is really easy to get into, and then it covers so many different sides of the story, including a pretty nuanced view of neuroscience basics AND America's prison system and how it plays into this, which is so crucial to understanding the systems behind drug use. Will totally recommend to anyone wanting to get a full picture of the heroin problem in America and how we got here.

[Geoff Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, it's a good book! It has a great discussion of heroin from many aspects: history, case studies, treatment, legal, social, pop culture, etc. I would've liked more social discussion but still a good book. The hiccup is that he spends a bit too much on some semi-irrelevant history.