In 1966, Joan Gadsby's four-year-old son died of a brain tumour. In response, her trusted family physician prescribed a "chemical cocktail" of tranquilizers, sleeping pills and anti-depressants - an act that initiated Gadsby's slow descent into an abyss of unrecognized addiction.
Gadsby has emerged from her addiction to become a tireless advocate for systematic change and accountability in the area of prescribed sedative/hypnotic drugs. She has interviewed thousands - from consumers to doctors to pharmaceutical representatives and government officials as she conducted extensive international research - in her quest to expose the shocking truth of the depth and breadth of addiction by prescription which affects hundreds of thousands of men and women worldwide.

Customer Reviews:

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0

Excellent tool:

Although the author was addicted to benzodiazepines, the book does address other drug dependencies as well.
Because of the serious consequences associated with benzo addiction, this book should be among the first books you buy when ready to address the issue.
The author, Joan Gadsby, is intelligent, articulate and compassionate. Because she personally fought the benzo-addiction battle, she is never judgmental or condescending. (This is why I am loathe to buy addiction books by "experts" who have... more info

WARNING!:

I give this book 5 stars on everything except in one area--giving hope. If you are currently suffering depression from acute withdrawal symtoms from benzodiazepine use, this book will make you feel horrible! The first half of the book was incredible. I could not put it down. Having taken prescribed benzodiazepines for 7 years by a doctor I could relate to a lot of what she was saying. I am currently suffering from acute withdrawal symptoms described in this book. However, half way through the book the... more info

This book has helped our family:

This book had a profound affect on a loved one going through withdrawl, and a severe life crisis after 20 years of Benzo addiction. Over twenty years, regular physician prescribed this drug even the doctor didn't realize how severe the addition had become. We found Joan's book an accurate description of the severe life crisis that can happen after long term prescription to this class of medications. This book has helped our family and changed the course of our life. The book includes helpful information... more info

Somewhat syrupy, but a valuable resource nonetheless:

With Winona Ryder, Rush Limbaugh, and Ozzy Osbourne making headlines for their addictions to prescription drugs, this book--published three years ago in Canada--is as timely as ever and serves as a reminder that legal drug addiction is a widespread problem. Likewise, those who read Andy Behrman's best-selling "Electroboy" might see his clinical diagnoses in a whole new light after reading "Addiction by Prescription."
All too often, patients place far too much trust in their overworked doctors,... more info

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