The Opioid Epidemic

The opioid epidemic is responsible for longest sustained decline in U.S. life expectancy since the time of World War I and the Great Influenza. In 2017, nearly 50,000 Americans died from an opioid overdose - with an estimated 2 million more living with opioid addiction every day.

The Opioid Epidemic: What Everyone Needs to Know(R) 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 in 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, 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 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."--

"In The Opioid Epidemic, Drs. Olsen and Sharfstein lay out with clarity and eloquence the root causes and solutions to a crisis that has devastated communities across the United States. Whether you are a parent, a policymaker, a physician, or a concerned citizen, everyone should read this book."
--Vivek Murthy, 19th Surgeon General of the United States

"With clarity and keen insight, Drs. Olsen and Dr. Sharfstein trace the opioid overdose epidemic back to its roots, and lay out the steps that every community needs to take going forward to prevent overdoses and save lives. The Opioid Epidemic is absolutely essential reading for those who are just
getting up to speed on this national health crisis and for seasoned public health and policy professionals alike." --Nicole Alexander-Scott, Commissioner of Health for Rhode Island and President, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

"Understanding the addiction epidemic in the US today is a daunting task. This is a complex issue crossing many disciplines-health services, criminal justice, law enforcement, and family systems. This book is excellent in offering the most up-to-date orientation of the history of the disease,
laws, causes, treatment, and, most of all, hope. I wish this book had been available when my son was struggling for his life. A must read for those who suffer and those who love them. Great primer for medical professionals, law enforcement and any others who want to be part of the solution of
healing and hope." --Barbara Allen, Executive Director and Founder, James Place and Chair, Howard County Opioid Council

As two of the most distinguished experts on addiction and the opioid epidemic, Drs. Olsen and Sharfstein have written a definitive guide to understanding the epidemic and arming readers with information backed by science and evidence to help themselves, their loved ones, and their communities."
--Michael Botticelli, Executive Director, Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine and former Director, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy

"This is a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive review of everything to know about the opioid epidemic. Drs. Olsen and Sharfstein have made complex issues accessible and digestible to the reader. This book should be read by everyone involved in the opioid epidemic-especially patients, family members, health
care providers, and policy makers." --Chinazo Cunningham, Addiction Medicine Physician, Albert Einstein School of Medicine

"Years into our nation's lethal and unrelenting opioid epidemic, we are still missing a level-setting work that equips us with the language, concepts, science, and tools to truly tackle the crisis together. Drs. Olsen and Sharfstein have given us just that: an accessible and compelling account of
the opioid epidemic in all of its dimensions, including the best path out of it. It should be required reading for everyone contending with the crisis, in other words, for all of us." --Brandon del Pozo, Chief of Police, Burlington, Vermont

"In highlighting the worst public health disaster facing Americans in a generation, Olsen and Sharfstein methodically provide riveting insights in a relentlessly logical manner. The book is the most comprehensive and insightful look at the opioid crisis from its origins to what it will take to solve
this epidemic, written in a clear and concise manner. A must read for everyone." --Rahul Gupta, Former Commissioner and State Health Officer for West Virginia

"In this pragmatic and accessible book Drs. Olsen and Sharfstein unrelentingly explain and hew to the science behind opioid addiction and related public policy. Their book will help people who use drugs and their families, health professionals, and policy makers make wiser and safer choices for
themselves and their communities." --Hilary Kunins, Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Use, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

"This highly informative book is a valuable resource to help families truly understand addiction. Most, if not all, of your questions will be answered." --Toni Torsch, Director, Daniel Carl Torsch Foundation

"The Opioid Epidemic offers insightful life-saving educational information not only for health professionals but for the millions of individuals and families struggling to find answers in a sea of confusion and conflicting information. An important contribution from two of the most informed and
practiced thought-leaders on solving the opioid crisis." --Greg
Williams, Executive Vice President, Facing Addiction