The Opioid Epidemic

"The opioid epidemic is responsible for the first sustained decline in U.S. life expectancy since the 1960s. In 2016, more than 50,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose -- to say nothing of the hundreds of thousands who live with some measure of opioid addiction every day. The Opioid Epidemic: What Everyone Needs to Know℗ʼ is an accessible, nonpartisan overview of the causes, politics, and treatments tied to the most devastating health crisis of our time. Its comprehensive approach and Q&A format offer readers a practical path to understanding the epidemic from all sides: the basic science of opioids; the nature of addiction; the underlying reasons for the opioid epidemic; effective approaches to helping individuals, families, communities, and national policy; and common myths related to opioid addiction. Written by two expert physicians and enriched with stories from their experiences the crosshairs of this epidemic, this book is a critical resource for any general reader -- and for the individuals and families fighting this fight in their own lives. "-- "The opioid epidemic is responsible for the first sustained decline in U.S. life expectancy since the 1960s. In 2016 alone, about 50,000 Americans died from overdose related to opioids. The Opioid Epidemic: What You Need to Know will cover the basic science of opioids, the nature of addiction, reasons for the opioid epidemic, and effective approaches to helping individuals, families, communities, and national policy. This comprehensive approach will help readers make connections between the experience of individuals and families and critical policy questions. Throughout the text, we will address myths and other misunderstandings with clear and non-judgmental responses. The book will be fact-based, clearly written, and practical in orientation. It will include specific stories and cases from the authors' experience. Our goal is for readers to feel informed and empowered"--