On Pills and Needles, Rick Van Warner
On Pills and Needles, Rick Van Warner
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On Pills and Needles
The Relentless Fight to Save My Son from Opioid Addiction

Author: Rick Van Warner

Narrator: Traber Burns

Unabridged: 7 hr 14 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 01/16/2018

Synopsis

When Rick Van Warner found himself searching abandoned buildings and dangerous streets looking for his missing son, he had no idea that the synthetic, pill-form heroin that had snared his teen was already killing so many. In the years of pain and heartache that followed as he tried to save his son from opioid addiction, Van Warner discovered what the American public is just now becoming aware of: opioids prescribed for even minor pain relief are so addictive that even a few days of use can create dependency. On Pills and Needles is a memoir that also serves as a wake-up call and crash course in opioid addiction. Through his harrowing personal story, Van Warner exposes the common causes of opioid addiction, effective and ineffective ways it has been treated, and how families can walk alongside loved ones who are dealing with the daily realities of addiction.

About Rick Van Warner

Rick Van Warner is a thirty-year veteran of journalism, crisis management, and media relations. His book, On Pills and Needles, is a result of his feeling compelled to share his personal story to help other families after recognizing the endemic nature of the current opioid addiction epidemic. A graduate of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, he began his career as a daily newspaper reporter. He also volunteered as a social worker within the New York State youth-justice division, where he counseled teens confined to group homes after committing serious crimes.

About Traber Burns

Traber Burns worked for thirty-five years in regional theater, including the New York, Oregon, and Alabama Shakespeare festivals. He also spent five years in Los Angeles appearing in many television productions and commercials, including Lost, Close to Home, Without a Trace, Boston Legal, Grey’s Anatomy, Cold Case, Gilmore Girls, and others.

Reviews

Goodreads review by J.K. on March 28, 2018

My Rating: Put it on your list Level: Easy, moderate length (250+), but reads quickly Summary A detailed summary of the book is difficult to do. The subtitle more or less says everything you need to know about the book. Van Warner writes a first hand account of watching is his son struggle with addicti......more

Goodreads review by Jason on February 18, 2018

4.5 stars Every parent of a middle school, high school, and college kid should read this book. Thanks to the author for sharing his family’s story! Opioid addiction is a major problem in this country that doesn’t see color, religion, sex, or anything. It can affect anyone at anytime!......more

Goodreads review by Jen on April 18, 2018

Over the past few years, media coverage has made me increasingly aware of the opioid epidemic plaguing the United States. As a youth worker, I believe I have a responsibility to educate myself about issues that affect teenagers in the United States. That way, when the teens I work with are either di......more

Goodreads review by Sherri on February 08, 2018

Excellent book. So good that I had a difficult putting it down. The story is about Rick Van Warner's son who has become addicted to Opiod's. The stress, trauma and devastation that wracks within families that has a member addicted to pills.  This was one book where I wanted to skip the suspense and h......more

Goodreads review by Oak on February 02, 2018

On Pills and Needles: The Relentless Fight to Save My Son from Opioid Addiction is a touching memoir by Rick Van Warner. The book is sadly very relevant for today. The United States is in the middle of an opioid epidemic; according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an average of 1......more

Quotes

“I found myself holding my breath until the very last page.” Bill Shore, CEO and founder of Share Our Strength

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