I actually came across this book at a library, because I was doing a research paper on the pretty much the same subject. This book is so true, it's scary. I grew up in a home, where my mom was addicted to pain pills. Just last year, a close friend's father overdosed. It's scary how doctor's don't take the time out to realize what they're responsible for. My friend's father was getting pain pills by the bottle's worth. He would take 4-5 at a time, it was crazy. This book is a great read, and I recommend anyone give this book to someone they know that's abusing prescription drugs. It was a rude-awakening for my mom. It's because of this subject that I hate taking any kind of medication. My friends and family know, if I'm taking medication for something... something is seriously wrong.

Wow, this book really brings home that addictive drugs are overprescribed in America. It may seem a bit out of date, but the truth is, nothing has changed since it was published. It's a horror story no one seems to be noticing.

ADDICTION BY PRESCRIPTION is an amazing book looking into the causes and effects of addiction to prescription drugs. It takes you all the way through withdrawal, and shows you one method of getting through it.

I admit, I didn't like the second half of the book as much as the first. The first half was amazing, but the second half was just plain dreary and severely lacking in the hope that all self-improvement books should provide. I suppose, though, that makes it truer to life than most self-improvement books.

If you or a relative are addicted to prescription drugs, you should read ADDICTION BY PRESCRIPTION.

Just about everyone knows about how drug companies have a hold of the American economy and psyche, but what people don't know is how sick we really are. If the temperature can't drip 10 or 20 degrees cooler or warmer than normal without you getting a cold...there is a problem. If you reach for the advil after soreness from walking to the mailbox...there is a problem. If on ever street corner of your suburban town you see a Walgreens, CVS, or other chain pharmacy, there is a problem! We as Americans have been indoctrinated into believing that medicine is the answer to dull all problems in which case its doing much more harm than good. Great personal account of how Americans are over stimulated, over medicated and how and why we can fix it. Get the word out, buy this book!

In today's world, doctors and psychiatrists are way to eager to dispense pills. They figure it's much easier to just give you a pill that sounds like it's for what's wrong, then waste actual time running tests and talking to you. I have a friend who is recovering from a painkiller addiction who's doctor would give her a new 30 day prescription once a week and never even questioned it! This book is one woman's descent into addiction, then courageous fight back out, to become an advocate for addicted persons everywhere. The book is invaluable in helping you to see how to get effective medical treatment, not just pills and being sent on your way.

Joan Gadsby was a highly educated and accomplished business woman, mother and wife when, in 1966, her son died from a brain tumor. Gadsby's doctor gave her a batch of drugs, including Valium, to "cope" with the loss, sending her on a 20+ year nightmare of unrecognized dependency.

I read this book in one setting, it was that compelling. Long ago, I'd read my mother's book club copy of "I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can," Barbara Gordon's personal account of unrecognized Valium dependency. Even as a kid in the late 70s, I though "well, it's good that won't happen to anyone else." Gadsby's book proved otherwise. It happened to many, many thousands of people, mostly women.

Gadsby is fearless in describing the effects of her use of the "medications" prescribed by her doctors.

Because benzodiazepine and antidepressant prescription, dependency and withdrawal is such a common problem for women of all ages, I would personally recommend this to any woman or anyone who cares about the women in their lives.