Main description:

Why do we take drugs? I haven't the faintest idea, but Gary Winship has a damned good go at telling me the answer. Some might say this is a largely academic book, but as an ex-psychiatric nurse and a Jo Public for the last twenty-five years, I'd say there's something in here for everyone. We've all taken drugs at some point in our lives (except, perhaps, my grandma) so one way to find out why is by reading this fascinating book.'- Jo Brand, comic, author, and actress

Contents:

Preface , Fixing The pill mentality , Creation myths and breast junkies: in search of milk and honey , "Dracula": from Stoker's classic of compulsion to Arthur's dark room , The Prometheus Syndrome: addiction, death, and the liver in mind , The pleasure paradox: nirvana and death dependency , Major Tom, Lucy, Bion, and the psychotic vacuum 1