Review of Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?
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Review of Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?
[Following is a volunteer review of "Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?" by Kyle Oh.]
Why Can't Johnny Just Quit? by Kyle Oh is a book that discusses the problem of Opioids and addiction when used as pain killers. The author is a pain care specialist and uses his experience from working with patients to try and understand what a drug addiction is, and how it develops as well as why some people appear more susceptible than others. Perhaps there is a lack of research in this area. For this reason the author takes it upon himself to try and understand drug addiction from his patients. Not everyone who likes to use drugs is addicted, he argues. Some people abuse alcohol and drugs when going through difficult times in their life. They may be able to stop easily when their life changes. This indicates that they were not addicted in the first place but were simply abusing the drug. Addiction happens when someone feels very good when they take something and so feel they have to take more. Some people are genetically pre-disposed to becoming addicted to certain drugs, he argues. This is his explanation why some people get addicted, and some not. He draws on examples from clients of his, and cases of addiction of drugs such as Opioids and others. The book is 349 pages in length and written at times in the first person.
What I enjoyed about the book was that it was well-researched and organised. I did not come across any spelling or grammatical errors or profanity. It is suitable for the average reader of any belief system.
The writer did well to explain the true nature of addiction and that most of us understand addiction as the dopey, spaced out person in Hollywood films. He argues that this is based on ignorance and often drug addicts are not doped out but have more energy than normal. It was interesting to understand the difference between a person abusing the drug and someone addicted, and that was all down to how someone feels when taking it. Due to such advice, I felt the book would be suitable for people working as counsellors, friends, relatives or anyone trying to help a drug addict or someone abusing drugs or alcohol.
The book also aims to tackle some of the stigma surrounding drug addiction, and he takes a more sympathetic and understanding approach. Such stigma may prevent some people from admitting they have a problem and getting help. However, some people are not serious about getting better. What will he do with these? What is more, some people don't take the medicine but continue to ask for it. How does he know? And what about the people who keep coming and asking for more medicine? Are they actually taking it? Is it possible that opioids are really that addictive? How can we know if we are addicted or not? The author highlights the importance of education surrounding drug addiction in order to prevent it. The book was well-researched and organised with many examples to help the reader understand the subject.
There was nothing particularly negative about the book, except that it left some moral questions, such as why would doctors prescribe such drugs when they know they can easily become addictive? I felt the solution was to stop prescribing the drug and having other alternatives.
I am rating the book 4 out of 4 stars, since it is a well-written and useful book and may help people stuggling with addiction understand the issue and give those around them some ideas about how to deal with it.
People who enjoy non-fiction books and have an interest in psychology and self-help, people working with drug addicts may benefit from reading it.
There may be people who are sensitive to any mention of death by drugs. For anyone who has lost a relative or friend to drugs, they should know that there are mentions of relapses leading to fatalities.
******
Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Why Can't Johnny Just Quit? by Kyle Oh is a book that discusses the problem of Opioids and addiction when used as pain killers. The author is a pain care specialist and uses his experience from working with patients to try and understand what a drug addiction is, and how it develops as well as why some people appear more susceptible than others. Perhaps there is a lack of research in this area. For this reason the author takes it upon himself to try and understand drug addiction from his patients. Not everyone who likes to use drugs is addicted, he argues. Some people abuse alcohol and drugs when going through difficult times in their life. They may be able to stop easily when their life changes. This indicates that they were not addicted in the first place but were simply abusing the drug. Addiction happens when someone feels very good when they take something and so feel they have to take more. Some people are genetically pre-disposed to becoming addicted to certain drugs, he argues. This is his explanation why some people get addicted, and some not. He draws on examples from clients of his, and cases of addiction of drugs such as Opioids and others. The book is 349 pages in length and written at times in the first person.
What I enjoyed about the book was that it was well-researched and organised. I did not come across any spelling or grammatical errors or profanity. It is suitable for the average reader of any belief system.
The writer did well to explain the true nature of addiction and that most of us understand addiction as the dopey, spaced out person in Hollywood films. He argues that this is based on ignorance and often drug addicts are not doped out but have more energy than normal. It was interesting to understand the difference between a person abusing the drug and someone addicted, and that was all down to how someone feels when taking it. Due to such advice, I felt the book would be suitable for people working as counsellors, friends, relatives or anyone trying to help a drug addict or someone abusing drugs or alcohol.
The book also aims to tackle some of the stigma surrounding drug addiction, and he takes a more sympathetic and understanding approach. Such stigma may prevent some people from admitting they have a problem and getting help. However, some people are not serious about getting better. What will he do with these? What is more, some people don't take the medicine but continue to ask for it. How does he know? And what about the people who keep coming and asking for more medicine? Are they actually taking it? Is it possible that opioids are really that addictive? How can we know if we are addicted or not? The author highlights the importance of education surrounding drug addiction in order to prevent it. The book was well-researched and organised with many examples to help the reader understand the subject.
There was nothing particularly negative about the book, except that it left some moral questions, such as why would doctors prescribe such drugs when they know they can easily become addictive? I felt the solution was to stop prescribing the drug and having other alternatives.
I am rating the book 4 out of 4 stars, since it is a well-written and useful book and may help people stuggling with addiction understand the issue and give those around them some ideas about how to deal with it.
People who enjoy non-fiction books and have an interest in psychology and self-help, people working with drug addicts may benefit from reading it.
There may be people who are sensitive to any mention of death by drugs. For anyone who has lost a relative or friend to drugs, they should know that there are mentions of relapses leading to fatalities.
******
Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
