Slaying the Dragon: The History of Addiction Treatment and Recovery in America

by William L. White M.A.

The product of more than 35 years of research, the Second Edition of Slaying the Dragon is the remarkable story of America's personal and institutional responses to alcoholism and other addictions. It is the story of mutual aid societies spanning Native American recovery circles, the Washingtonians, the Ribbon Reform Clubs, Twelve Step Fellowships and more recent secular and religious mutual aid alternatives. It is a story of addiction treatment institutions from the inebriate asylums through rise of modern addiction treatment. It is also the story of the rise of a new addiction recovery advocacy movement that promises to transform the future of addiction treatment and recovery in the United States and beyond. Author William White provides a sweeping and engaging history of one of America's most enduring problems and the profession and social institutions that have sought solutions to it.

Genres: History, Addiction, Nonfiction, Psychology

558 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

William L. White M.A. is an American writer on addiction recovery and policy. He has a Master's degree in Addiction Studies from Goddard College and has worked in the addictions field since 1969.

Reviews

[Elyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having worked in the substance abuse field for many years, I decided to learn more about the history of addiction treatment. Overall, this book was very thorough and detailed. Parts of it were dry and somewhat repetitive. The overall presentation and formatting of the text made it look self-published. I think with better editing and visual presentation this could be an excellent book.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first in-depth look into addiction and recovery. I really enjoyed the book and thought that Bill White did an amazing job of exploring the earliest history, while providing a visual and insightful journey into the coming of age that we see today in the areas of addiction and recovery.

[Omar Manejwala · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a thorough, very readable account of the history of addiction treatment. It is certainly the most comprehensive treatment of this topic I've ever seen. Although I read it cover to cover (as its my line of work), I think it functions best as a reference guide.

[Jennifer M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still reading this history and have recommended it to a lot of people. I work in the addiction field and am in personal recovery as well. To see the roots of where treatment began is to also understand the roots of the stigma and shame. Treatment needs to change and the stigma needs to be broken. I've gotten a better sense of what I want to do for both of those things by reading William White.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of two books required for one of my college classes. I found it to be very interesting and not only did I learn about the history of addiction treatment, I learned how to learn and, hopefully improve, in the field. This book was not difficult to read in any way. It was actually very eye-opening.

[Angela Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly informative, a must have if one is interested in the US’s response, and crisis interventions to alcoholism and drug addiction. It gives the reader the story of the evolving treatment interventions since the 1800’s.

[Oliver Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The BEST history of addiction treatment in the US that exists.

[Wayne Kepner · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most comprehensive books about recovery I’ve ever read

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource!

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for work, very enlightening and informative.