Episode 51: The Opioid Crisis / ‘Dopesick’

Doctor Vs Comedian

The guys start off the episode by discussing Ali and his family recently contracting Covid-19. Then they switch up the format by first discussing the history of opioids, the interplay between pharma and medicine in the marketing of opioids and the rise of Purdue pharma (5:29). They then talk about the opioid crisis, the rise of oxycontin and fentanyl, and the damage done. The guys then discuss the television show ‘Dopesick’, how it was developed, and it’s focus on the Appalachian area of the US (30:50). The guys praise the performances of all the actors and the writing of the series. Finally, Ali asks Asif about his personal experiences in learning about opioids in medical school and whether he prescribes them in his clinical practice (43:35).

The opinions expressed are those of the hosts, and do not reflect those of any other organizations. This podcast and website represents the opinions of the hosts. The content here should not be taken as medical advice. The content here is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and because each person is so unique, please consult your healthcare professional for any medical questions.

Music courtesy of Wataboi and 8er41 from Pixabay

Contact us at [e-mail]

Follow us on Social media:

Twitter: @doctorvcomedian

Instagram: doctorvcomedian

Show Notes:

• The Crime of the Century: https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/the-crime-of-the-century
• Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/612861/empire-of-pain-by-patrick-radden-keefe/9780385697545
• ‘The crisis was manufactured’: inside a damning film on the origins of the opioid epidemic: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/may/10/opioid-crisis-alex-gibney-the-crime-of-the-century
• A Timeline of the Real-Life Events From Hulu’s Dopesick: https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a37885480/dopesick-on-hulu-timeline/
• The One-Paragraph Letter From 1980 That Fueled the Opioid Crisis: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/06/nejm-letter-opioids/528840/
• Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America: https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/beth-macy/dopesick/9780316551281/
• ‘Dopesick’ Star Rosario Dawson Grateful for the Show’s Human Depiction of the Opioid Crisis: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/rosario-dawson-dopesick-hulu-opioid-crisis-1235049990/
• Dopesick review – the heinous truth behind America’s opioid emergency: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/nov/12/dopesick-review-the-heinous-truth-behind-americas-opioid-emergency
• Is 'Dopesick' a true story? Experts and the show's creators sort fact from fiction: https://www.npr.org/2021/11/08/1051475843/dopesick-hulu-true-story-opioid-addiction
• They Made the Most of the Opioid Crisis. Until They Didn’t: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/19/books/review/hard-sell-evan-hughes.html