Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic by Sam Quinones
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Dreamland by Sam Quinones is an in-depth, investigative account of the opioid epidemic in the United States. Quinones traces the rise of both prescription painkillers and black tar heroin in small towns across America, showing how they became intertwined in the country’s addiction crisis. His reporting captures the economic, social, and cultural factors that allowed opioids to take such a devastating hold on communities.
At Today’s Sober Women, we appreciate how Quinones shines a light on the complex web of factors that contribute to addiction. Dreamland is a story of loss and devastation, but also of resilience and recovery as communities band together to fight the epidemic.
Key Principle #1: Economic and Social Factors
Quinones explains how the decline of industry in many small towns created a void that opioids filled, showing that addiction is often tied to economic and social despair.
Key Principle #2: The Role of Prescription Painkillers
The book delves into the role that doctors and pharmaceutical companies played in prescribing powerful painkillers, often without regard for their addictive potential.
Key Principle #3: The Rise of Heroin
Quinones shows how, as painkillers became harder to access, many turned to heroin, creating a deadly cycle of addiction.
Key Principle #4: Community Healing
Despite the devastation, Dreamland offers hope by highlighting community efforts to support those in recovery and rebuild lives affected by addiction.
Key Takeaway: Addiction is multifaceted. Today, consider the wider context of your recovery and how healing involves both personal and communal efforts.