For Sale: William S. Burroughs (et al). The Addict. (Ed. Dan Wakefield). Greenwich, CT: Fawcett, 1965.

Description

The Addict, edited by Dan Wakefield and published in 1965, is a collection of first hand accounts and essays exploring the lives of individuals struggling with addiction, as well as the social, psychological, and medical contexts surrounding the issue.

The book delves into various aspects of addiction, including the personal struggles of addicts, the societal stigmas they face, and the broader implications of addiction on communities. It offers a mix of perspectives, including those of addicts, healthcare professionals, and social commentators.

The book reflects the attitudes and understandings of addiction prevalent during that era. It provides historical insight into how addiction was perceived and addressed before the emergence of modern treatment paradigms and the broader acceptance of addiction as a medical condition.

Wakefield’s involvement brought credibility and a journalistic perspective to the compilation, ensuring the stories were both compelling and grounded in real-world experiences. The book was part of a growing body of literature in the 1960s that aimed to shed light on marginalized and misunderstood aspects of society. It contributed to the broader conversation about addiction and may have influenced subsequent discussions on treatment and policy.