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The Pain Refugees
Article

The Pain Refugees

The forgotten victims of America’s opioid crisis

Brian Goldstone
Harper's, 2018
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Eye Opening
  • Engaging

Recommendation

Writer and anthropologist Brian Goldstone presents a rebuttal of the idea that pain patients who take opioids will become addicts. He leads with the heartbreaking story of chronic pain patient Austin Sell, for whom prescription opioids used to be a lifeline. Goldstone then zooms out to show a whole community of sufferers who will likely never again have access to the medication they need to function. He backs up anecdotal evidence with studies and expert opinions from credible sources. His argument is as convincing as its implications are disturbing. getAbstract recommends this counternarrative to anyone who’s read about Big Pharma’s role in triggering the opioid crisis.

Take-Aways

  • Austin Sell had experienced chronic back pain since his youth.
  • Rod Lutes – physician assistant at Benefis Pain Management Center and a sufferer of chronic pain himself – prescribed opioids, which allowed Sell to function again in his everyday life.
  • After four years of successful treatment, a new health professional at Benefis cut Sell’s medication by 80%.

About the Author

Brian Goldstone is an anthropologist and writer.

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