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Overcoming Opioid Addiction: The Authoritative Medical Guide for Patients, Families, Doctors, and Therapists
From a leading addiction expert, a desperately needed medical guide to understanding, treating, and finally defeating opioid use disorder
Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50, claiming more lives than the AIDs epidemic did at its peak. Opioid abuse accounts for two-thirds of these overdoses, with over 100 Americans dying from opioid overdoses every day.
Now Overcoming Opioid Addiction provides a comprehensive medical guide for opioid use disorder (OUD) sufferers, their loved ones, clinicians, and other professionals. Here is expertly presented, urgently needed information and guidance,
Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50, claiming more lives than the AIDs epidemic did at its peak. Opioid abuse accounts for two-thirds of these overdoses, with over 100 Americans dying from opioid overdoses every day.
Now Overcoming Opioid Addiction provides a comprehensive medical guide for opioid use disorder (OUD) sufferers, their loved ones, clinicians, and other professionals. Here is expertly presented, urgently needed information and guidance,
304 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2018
36 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 9, 2018
This was a very informative book! I battled opiod addiction for years and found it incredibly useful to be able to learn more about my addiction and ways I can help friends and continue on my path of sobriety!
October 6, 2019
I had a high level of frustration as I read this book. By the halfway point, I was becoming eager for it to end. I don’t usually feel that way about books, so this was a bit of a surprise for me.
There are always good points to a book, and this one is no exception. The quality of the writing is very good, and there is very clear information about medical treatments for addiction. The authors made a very clear case for using medication instead of relying on 12 step treatment for people who must withdraw from opioids. Medical terms are explained well.
So why did I give it a poor rating and feel so frustrated with it? I have found that a lot of books about addiction or mental illness to be lopsided in that they either focus strictly on the medical aspect, or are they strictly focus on the emotional aspect of the mental illness or addiction. There is no balance. This book spent four chapters describing the need for medical maintenance for people who are addicted to opioids medications. I don’t have a problem with that in general, but they did not spend much time discussing why people choose to get high in the first place, how people can handle the return of the initial reason for wanting to get high, or the emotional feelings that a person will experience during withdrawal. It seems as if they were describing the medical treatment in a vacuum as if it were the only factor that would stabilize or D stabilize a person who is addicted.
I see this same lopsided treatment of bipolar disorder where there is a high focus on taking a persons medications rather than discussing how to manage aspects of living with bipolar disorder beyond taking pills a couple of times a day. I want to make it clear that I do not dispute the reasons and needs for taking medication either with bipolar disorder or opioid addiction. My point is that medication seems to be the primary focus, and that is not reality for people living with those disorders.
The other issue I have is that it does not appear that anyone in the authoring team of this book has personally dealt with addiction. Neither did they include comments or direct quotations from people who are living with this new medical approach. They tell us that it works very well, and their criteria is that overdoses are reduced. That approach would be OK if the title of this book or its description says that it is written specifically for medical professionals. However, since this book is supposed to be for families and addicts as well, it is sad that they chose not to represent any addicts or family members themselves. Instead, they used composite cases with made up names to describe situations. Unfortunately, the situations they described in the stories made a tight fit for their reasoning for their medical model. They didn’t discuss or really acknowledge other factors that are part of long-term recovery. They did mention in several places that people need psychosocial support, but they never really described what that support could be like or even define psychosocial support.
The sad part of this for me is that I agree with much of what this book says. However, I have a major problem with how it is presented and that people dealing with addiction or who have had a past addiction are not part of this process. If we want doctors, nurses, and other people who come into contact with attics frequently to understand what’s going on, I think they need to understand the full dimension of why a person chooses to get high, why they might choose to relapse, why they might unconsciously choose to relapse. They also need to hear what types of things help a person maintain recovery, and that is not just to take their medication. It goes beyond taking some pills a couple of times a day or showing up for a methadone injection once a day. They still have to decide to stay abstinent.
There are always good points to a book, and this one is no exception. The quality of the writing is very good, and there is very clear information about medical treatments for addiction. The authors made a very clear case for using medication instead of relying on 12 step treatment for people who must withdraw from opioids. Medical terms are explained well.
So why did I give it a poor rating and feel so frustrated with it? I have found that a lot of books about addiction or mental illness to be lopsided in that they either focus strictly on the medical aspect, or are they strictly focus on the emotional aspect of the mental illness or addiction. There is no balance. This book spent four chapters describing the need for medical maintenance for people who are addicted to opioids medications. I don’t have a problem with that in general, but they did not spend much time discussing why people choose to get high in the first place, how people can handle the return of the initial reason for wanting to get high, or the emotional feelings that a person will experience during withdrawal. It seems as if they were describing the medical treatment in a vacuum as if it were the only factor that would stabilize or D stabilize a person who is addicted.
I see this same lopsided treatment of bipolar disorder where there is a high focus on taking a persons medications rather than discussing how to manage aspects of living with bipolar disorder beyond taking pills a couple of times a day. I want to make it clear that I do not dispute the reasons and needs for taking medication either with bipolar disorder or opioid addiction. My point is that medication seems to be the primary focus, and that is not reality for people living with those disorders.
The other issue I have is that it does not appear that anyone in the authoring team of this book has personally dealt with addiction. Neither did they include comments or direct quotations from people who are living with this new medical approach. They tell us that it works very well, and their criteria is that overdoses are reduced. That approach would be OK if the title of this book or its description says that it is written specifically for medical professionals. However, since this book is supposed to be for families and addicts as well, it is sad that they chose not to represent any addicts or family members themselves. Instead, they used composite cases with made up names to describe situations. Unfortunately, the situations they described in the stories made a tight fit for their reasoning for their medical model. They didn’t discuss or really acknowledge other factors that are part of long-term recovery. They did mention in several places that people need psychosocial support, but they never really described what that support could be like or even define psychosocial support.
The sad part of this for me is that I agree with much of what this book says. However, I have a major problem with how it is presented and that people dealing with addiction or who have had a past addiction are not part of this process. If we want doctors, nurses, and other people who come into contact with attics frequently to understand what’s going on, I think they need to understand the full dimension of why a person chooses to get high, why they might choose to relapse, why they might unconsciously choose to relapse. They also need to hear what types of things help a person maintain recovery, and that is not just to take their medication. It goes beyond taking some pills a couple of times a day or showing up for a methadone injection once a day. They still have to decide to stay abstinent.
March 2, 2018
These are some notes towards my final review:
The last section directed at opioid addicts could be published as a stand alone volume for opioid addicts/folks with opioid use disorder (OUD) with a bit of an intro, and with more information on the process of opioid weaning (also referred to as cessation or tapering). Actually, the book as it exists could also use more content about opioid weaning/cessation/tapering - with that info being useful to health professionals, addicts, and their carers/families/friends.
Also, there should be something more on the distinction between opioid addiction and opioid dependence.
But overall a strong and important book.
This review will be updated/more complete soon.
The last section directed at opioid addicts could be published as a stand alone volume for opioid addicts/folks with opioid use disorder (OUD) with a bit of an intro, and with more information on the process of opioid weaning (also referred to as cessation or tapering). Actually, the book as it exists could also use more content about opioid weaning/cessation/tapering - with that info being useful to health professionals, addicts, and their carers/families/friends.
Also, there should be something more on the distinction between opioid addiction and opioid dependence.
But overall a strong and important book.
This review will be updated/more complete soon.
September 15, 2021
Excellent. Evidence-based and approachable. Practical for patients, providers, and loved ones.
April 26, 2018
This book accurately and effectively shares research based, medical approaches for treating Opioid Use Disorder. It was refreshing to read something direct and thoroughly, properly researched.
If you are one of the many parents struggling to understand or embrace a medical approach to treating OUD, this book is for you.
If you are one of the many parents frustrated by inadequate recovery and treatment facilities, this book is for you.
If you are one of the many, who have been to multiple treatment programs and battle the crave, have dealt with multiple, frustrating relapses and no there is an answer, this book is for you.
This is a great, informative read. It shares a wonderful perspectives on medical treatment approaches to the medical side of opioid use disorder. I highly recommend it and encourage everyone to trust the information and approaches outlined in this book.
If you are one of the many parents struggling to understand or embrace a medical approach to treating OUD, this book is for you.
If you are one of the many parents frustrated by inadequate recovery and treatment facilities, this book is for you.
If you are one of the many, who have been to multiple treatment programs and battle the crave, have dealt with multiple, frustrating relapses and no there is an answer, this book is for you.
This is a great, informative read. It shares a wonderful perspectives on medical treatment approaches to the medical side of opioid use disorder. I highly recommend it and encourage everyone to trust the information and approaches outlined in this book.
April 3, 2018
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley for review. Aside from a few typos and some redundancy, this is an excellent resource for anyone in a community that struggles with opioid addiction. It emphasizes the need for medical treatment, insisting that treating opioid use disorder is more similar to treating life-long conditions such as diabetes rather than one-off detox with psychosocial treatment only. He backs this up with statistics showing high relapse rates for traditional, non-medical treatments and higher rates of success when medical treatment is included. Sections guide both addicts and family members through the physical effects of opioids on the brain, choices for treatment, what to expect, how to prepare for recovery, what the process will be like, and how to best keep off drugs long-term. Anyone in the medical field, in social services, education or government should read this book.
October 8, 2019
Necessary and beneficial guide!
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Overcoming Opioid Addiction by Adam Bisaga, MD.
I wanted to read this book because, as a librarian, I was hopeful that it could be a helpful guide and voice of wisdom and information to those who may need it most, whether for personal, family or friend use. Overcoming Opioid Addiction was written to give general knowledge of Opioids, the epidemic and addiction, for health-care professionals, family members and for addicted individuals. The book is sectioned into four parts, each concentrating on one of these areas. This fascinating but informative and helpful book opened my eyes to Opioids and helped me to better understand how addiction became an epidemic and how patients can be treated and overcome addiction. 5 stars for this necessary and beneficial guide to Opioid Use Disorder.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Overcoming Opioid Addiction by Adam Bisaga, MD.
I wanted to read this book because, as a librarian, I was hopeful that it could be a helpful guide and voice of wisdom and information to those who may need it most, whether for personal, family or friend use. Overcoming Opioid Addiction was written to give general knowledge of Opioids, the epidemic and addiction, for health-care professionals, family members and for addicted individuals. The book is sectioned into four parts, each concentrating on one of these areas. This fascinating but informative and helpful book opened my eyes to Opioids and helped me to better understand how addiction became an epidemic and how patients can be treated and overcome addiction. 5 stars for this necessary and beneficial guide to Opioid Use Disorder.
November 18, 2020
Pretty narrowly medical perspective with super rudimentary psychotherapeutic principles of addiction treatment. It's only case that evidence based research on Opioid Replacement Therapy (ORT) is so readily available due to money and power behind big pharmaceutical companies. There is also strong and promising evidence of social and therapeutic support in tandem with ORT having good outcomes. Both together support whole person and their community in recovery. It's Both And not Either Or, IMO.
August 30, 2018
It's hard to find words to describe how much I love this book. If you have any interest in addictions, or - especially - if you or anyone you want to help - is an addict, this book may completely change your view about this terrible problem. The author uses the latest research to prove that fight with opioid addiction can be won if we forget about prejudice that is in society.
September 16, 2018
I highly recommend this book for anyone at any level interested in learning more about opioid addiction. I have read numerous books and articles, attended forums, webinars and seminars and this was the clearest most straight forward delivery of information I have found. I’m not sure I agree 100% with his philosophy, but he’s on target with most of our OUD population.
September 17, 2018
I can't comment on whether this guide is "authoritative" because I've only just begun my research into the field of opioid addiction and treatment. But there is certainly lots of helpful information here for those who want to take an evidence-based approach to treatment. I do know that one size doesn't fit all, and that seems to be the underlying philosophy of this book as well.
July 9, 2018
I don't think that any book on addiction could be perfect because everyone has a different road when it comes to addiction and recovery. This book is wonderful and informational or parents or family with an addict but its important to remember no everyone will be the same.
October 15, 2018
Nothing I didn’t already know, except for the many disparate happenings in the brain. Very informative for those trying to understand addiction.
March 6, 2024
AHHHH <3
March 28, 2018
The book presents a short introduction to the world of opioid use although it does not go into a lot of detail. The bulk of the book concentrates on the treatment and care of opioid users; particularly treatment using medical support through other narcotics. This is a guide for someone that is trying to get informed on the topic of opioid use and its treatments. The book is divided into four major parts; the first explains what the opioid use epidemic is and how it is affecting our society. The second part covers the opioid addiction treatment and challenges. The third part provides guidance to the families of opioid users. Finally, the fourth and last part of the book tries to give an idea of how the treatment works and what to expect during and after it. The book has an appendix where the author is explaining more about the different treatments. There are many books about the topic of opioid use, but they do not always explain how the medical treatment works in detail. This book offers readers a real and honest explanation of medical treatment for the opioid addiction. This is an excellent book to be read by anyone afflicted by this disease directly or indirectly. I received a free copy via NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews