158. Prescription for Pain with Philip Eil

Paul Volkman was a University of Chicago-trained doctor who seemed destined for greatness. Instead, he was sentenced to life in prison for the prescriptions he wrote that devastated southern Ohio and the surrounding areas. In the tradition of true crime, Philip Eil tells Volkman's story and the sordid history that led to the American opioid epidemic. In the 1980s and 1990s, following decades of criticism for not considering patients' pain, medical doctors recognized it as the Fifth Vital Sign. However, unlike heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and body temperature, pain cannot be easily measured. Into the breach, unscrupulous doctors and businesspeople stepped in, seeding devastation for patients, towns and families. Volkman may be the most egregious example, but the results of his actions were echoed across the country. To read Philip's book: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/739577/prescription-for-pain-by-philip-eil/ Contact me at silverliningshandbookpod@gmail.com Check out the Silver Linings Handbook website at: https://silverliningshandbook.com/ Check out our Patreon to support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/thesilverliningshandbook Join our Facebook Group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1361159947820623 Visit the Silver Linings Handbook store to support the podcast at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/the-silver-linings-handbook-podcast-store Visit The True Crime Times Substack at: https://truecrimemessenger.substack.com The Silver Linings Handbook podcast is a part of the ART19 network. ART19 is a subsidiary of Wondery and Amazon Music. See the Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and the California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.