Addicts Who Survived: An Oral History of Narcotic Use in America, 1923-1965

By David T. Courtwright

Book Overview

The authors employ the techniques of oral history to penetrate the nether world of the drug user, giving us an engrossing portrait of life in the drug subculture during the classic era of strict narcotic control.a Praise for the hardcover edition: A momentous book which I feel is destined to become a classic in the category of scholarly narcotic books.OCoClaude Brown, author of the bestseller, Manchild in the Promised Land. The drug literature is filled with the stereotyped opinions of non-addicted, middle-class pundits who have had little direct contact with addicts.a These stories are reality.a Narcotic addicts of the inner cities are both tough and gentle, deceptive when necessary and yet often generous--above all, shrewd judges of character.a While judging them, the clinician is also being judged.OCoVincent P. Dole, M.D., The Rockefeller Institute. What was it like to be a narcotic addict during the Anslinger era'a No book will probably ever appear that gives a better picture than this one. . . . a singularly readable and informative work on a subject ordinarily buried in clich(r)s and stereotypes.OCoDonald W. Goodwin, Journal of the American Medical Association . . . an important contribution to the growing body of literature that attempts to more clearly define the nature of drug addiction. . . . This book] will appeal to a diverse audience.a Academicians, politicians, and the general reader will find this approach to drug addiction extremely beneficial, insightful, and instructive. . . . Without qualification anyone wishing to acquire a better understanding of drug addicts and addiction will benefit from reading this book.OCoJohn C. McWilliams, Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography This study has much to say to a general audience, as well as those involved in drug control.OCoPublishers Weekly The authors' comments are perceptive and the interviews make interesting reading.OCoJohn Duffy, Journal of American History This book adds a vital and often compelling human dimension to the story of drug use and law enforcement.a The material will be of great value to other specialists, such as those interested in the history of organized crime and of outsiders in general.OCoH. Wayne Morgan, Journal of Southern History This book represents a significant and valuable addition to the contemporary substance abuse literature. . . .a this book presents findings from a novel and remarkably imaginative research approach in a cogent and exceptionally informative manner.OCoWilliam M. Harvey, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs This is a good and important book filled with new information containing provocative elements usually brought forth through the touching details of personal experience. . . .a There isn't a recollection which isn't of intrinsic value and many point to issues hardly ever broached in more conventional studies.OCoAlan Block, Journal of Social History

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870495879
• ISBN13: 9780870495878
• Release Date: May 1989
• Publisher: Univ Tennessee Press
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.3" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

important part of medical history

This is a great book. It contains fascinating accounts from the addicts who did survive the "classic" era of opioid addiction. As an added bonus, Drs. Dole and Nyswander have given interviews recorded in this book. This is a bit of addiction treatment history that should not be forgotten.

Excellent account of narcotic use, from old-timers.

The stories describe life in the opium dens, dealing with the Federal Narcotics Farms (Texas & Kentucky)and dealing with the pressures applied in the Anslinger era. It's a telling exposé of how little progress has been made in Drug Control Policy.