Close Menu
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • โค๏ธ CONTENT
    • CONTRIBUTOR DIRECTORY
    • DEAR READERSโœ๏ธ
    • MEET THE SOBER CURATOR
    • ๐Ÿ“ฐ PRESS ๐Ÿ“บ
    • THE SOBEES ๐Ÿ
    • CONTACT ๐Ÿ“ง
  • HAPPY EVERY HOUR
    • NA BEERS AND CIDERS ๐Ÿบ
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES ๐Ÿพ
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS ๐Ÿธ
    • READY TO DRINK ๐Ÿฅค
    • BEHIND THE BAR ๐Ÿ‹โ€๐ŸŸฉ
    • NA TASTING EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
    • BREAK FREE
    • CODEPENDENCY
    • MASTERING MENTAL FITNESS ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ
    • MENTAL HEALTH ๐Ÿง 
    • RELATIONSHIPS ๐ŸคŸ๐Ÿฝ
    • SOBER NOT SUBTLE
    • SOBER POETRY ๐Ÿ–‹๏ธ
    • SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE ๐Ÿงฌ
    • WELLNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE
  • LIFESTYLE
    • #ADDTOCART ๐Ÿ›๏ธ
    • ASK MRS. (W)RIGHT โ‰๏ธ
    • COMING OUT SOBER ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ
    • ๐Ÿ† CONTENT
    • โœ‚๏ธCURATED CRAFTS๐ŸŽจ
    • FASHION ๐Ÿ‘ 
    • SHOP ๐Ÿ›’
    • SOBER SPOTLIGHT ๐Ÿ”ฆ
    • SOBER CONTENT CREATION ๐Ÿ’ป
    • SOBER UNBUZZED FEED
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • #QUITLIT ๐Ÿ“š
    • MOVIE REVIEWS ๐Ÿฟ
    • MUSIC ๐ŸŽถ
    • POPCULTURE
    • RECOVERY PODCASTLAND ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ
    • SOBER CURATOR PODCAST ๐ŸŽง
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBER SPORTS
    • TV SHOW REVIEWS ๐Ÿ“บ
  • TRAVEL & EVENTS
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBER RETREATS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBRIETY IN THE CITY
      • SOBER IN MINNEAPOLIS
      • SOBER IN NYC
      • SOBER IN SEATTLE
    • WHAT A TRIP! ๐Ÿงณ
  • SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
    • THE CARD DIVO ๐Ÿ”ฎ
    • CLASSY PROBLEMS
    • SOBERCAST
    • SOBERSCOPES
    • SOBRIETY IN FLOW ๐Ÿง˜๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
    • THIRSTY FOR WONDER
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE ๐Ÿงฌ
    • STOICISM
  • RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RESOURCE GUIDE
    • BREAK FREE FOUNDATION
    • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • GLOSSARY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY TERMS
    • LGBTQ+ RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • RECOVERY STORIES
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn TikTok
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • โค๏ธ CONTENT
    • CONTRIBUTOR DIRECTORY
    • DEAR READERSโœ๏ธ
    • MEET THE SOBER CURATOR
    • ๐Ÿ“ฐ PRESS ๐Ÿ“บ
    • THE SOBEES ๐Ÿ
    • CONTACT ๐Ÿ“ง
  • HAPPY EVERY HOUR
    • NA BEERS AND CIDERS ๐Ÿบ
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC WINES ๐Ÿพ
    • NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRITS ๐Ÿธ
    • READY TO DRINK ๐Ÿฅค
    • BEHIND THE BAR ๐Ÿ‹โ€๐ŸŸฉ
    • NA TASTING EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
  • HEALTH & WELLNESS
    • BREAK FREE
    • CODEPENDENCY
    • MASTERING MENTAL FITNESS ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ
    • MENTAL HEALTH ๐Ÿง 
    • RELATIONSHIPS ๐ŸคŸ๐Ÿฝ
    • SOBER NOT SUBTLE
    • SOBER POETRY ๐Ÿ–‹๏ธ
    • SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD! ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE ๐Ÿงฌ
    • WELLNESS AS A WAY OF LIFE
  • LIFESTYLE
    • #ADDTOCART ๐Ÿ›๏ธ
    • ASK MRS. (W)RIGHT โ‰๏ธ
    • COMING OUT SOBER ๐Ÿณ๏ธโ€๐ŸŒˆ
    • ๐Ÿ† CONTENT
    • โœ‚๏ธCURATED CRAFTS๐ŸŽจ
    • FASHION ๐Ÿ‘ 
    • SHOP ๐Ÿ›’
    • SOBER SPOTLIGHT ๐Ÿ”ฆ
    • SOBER CONTENT CREATION ๐Ÿ’ป
    • SOBER UNBUZZED FEED
  • ENTERTAINMENT
    • #QUITLIT ๐Ÿ“š
    • MOVIE REVIEWS ๐Ÿฟ
    • MUSIC ๐ŸŽถ
    • POPCULTURE
    • RECOVERY PODCASTLAND ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ
    • SOBER CURATOR PODCAST ๐ŸŽง
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBER SPORTS
    • TV SHOW REVIEWS ๐Ÿ“บ
  • TRAVEL & EVENTS
    • SOBER EVENTS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBER RETREATS CALENDAR ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ
    • SOBRIETY IN THE CITY
      • SOBER IN MINNEAPOLIS
      • SOBER IN NYC
      • SOBER IN SEATTLE
    • WHAT A TRIP! ๐Ÿงณ
  • SPIRITUAL GANGSTER
    • THE CARD DIVO ๐Ÿ”ฎ
    • CLASSY PROBLEMS
    • SOBERCAST
    • SOBERSCOPES
    • SOBRIETY IN FLOW ๐Ÿง˜๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ
    • THIRSTY FOR WONDER
    • SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE ๐Ÿงฌ
    • STOICISM
  • RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • ALCOHOL & SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER RESOURCE GUIDE
    • BREAK FREE FOUNDATION
    • FAMILY RESOURCES
    • GLOSSARY OF ADDICTION AND RECOVERY TERMS
    • LGBTQ+ RECOVERY RESOURCES
    • RECOVERY STORIES
The Sober CuratorThe Sober Curator
Home - Fentanyl Nation: Toxic Politics and America’s Failed War on Drugs by Ryan Hampton | Book Review The Sober Curator
#QUITLIT

Fentanyl Nation: Toxic Politics and America’s Failed War on Drugs by Ryan Hampton | Book Review The Sober Curator

Alexandra NymanBy Alexandra NymanSeptember 26, 20245 Mins Read
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

With initial reviews likeย “Fentanyl Nationย is a gripping, powerful, and profoundly useful book about a truly historic crisis” by Dr. Carl Erik Fisher, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University, my interest was piqued. As someone who has been a fan of Hampton and his way of taking facts and statistics and humanizing them, I was excited to dig into his latest book.

A few months went by after I squealed with delight at hearing about Hampton’s post about his book release. And then, one night, while I was doom-scrolling, I saw a review that stopped my thumb in its tracks. It was a review by THE Sir Elton John. Like the piano man. Like the really, really famous Elton John, not the discount one you see if you visit Times Square. His review read:

โ€œRyan Hamptonโ€™s voice and advocacy is needed now more than ever. People need compassion and pragmatic solutions, not toxic stigma and criminalization.โ€

โ€”Elton John, founder, Elton John AIDS Foundation

After immediately rushing over to Amazon and pre-ordering both the book and audiobook, I eagerly waited for September 24th, the book’s release date, to dig in. About an hour ago, I finished reading Fentanyl Nation (side note: I am still shocked that I am the first to write a review on this). Well, enough hype, here’s what you clicked for:

Fentanyl Nation by Ryan Hampton is a deeply insightful and urgent examination of Americaโ€™s ongoing overdose crisis, specifically focusing on the rise of fentanyl and the systemic failures that have exacerbated the issue. Hampton, a prominent recovery advocate and person in long-term recovery, pulls back the curtain on the political, cultural, and legal factors that have allowed fentanyl to become a lethal force in communities across the country. He doesnโ€™t just point fingers; Hampton offers pragmatic, evidence-based solutions to what he rightfully calls a public health crisis.

Hampton sets the tone of the book during the intro when he gives the CDC’s definition of an endemic and then shifts and states, “To put it another way, an endemic is what happens when an unexpected condition becomes tolerated; it becomes a part of daily life. Like the coronavirus, the overdose crisis is consistently present. This is not because we’ve won, but because the institutions that are supposed to intervene have given up trying.”

He then dives into the lack of access to quality treatment, the lack of funding for harm reduction, OPCs, and research budget and drives home that this leads to people dying. Hampton urges that “the focus on drug policy now should be on preventing as many drug overdoses as possible.”

Hamptonโ€™s writing is a compelling mix of personal narrative and hard-hitting journalism. He draws from his own lived experience as a person in recovery from an opioid use disorder to offer an authentic perspective on how the crisis spiraled out of control and the stigma that continues to surround addiction. The book meticulously unravels the entrenched myths about fentanyl, revealing how bad policies, political negligence, and a lack of public understanding have fueled one of the deadliest drug epidemics in history.

#ADDTOCART ON AMAZON

Hampton amplifies the ongoing narrative that America’s “War on Drugs” has failed, not only because of its focus on criminalization rather than treatment but because it perpetuates racial inequities and deepens the stigma of addiction. The overdose crisis, Hampton argues, isnโ€™t a problem that can be solved by more policing or incarceration, which echoes what many harm reductionists have been screaming to anyone who will listen for years.

Instead, the overdose crisis requires a compassionate, harm-reduction-focused approach that addresses addiction as the public health issue it is. “Opioid deaths are preventable; they’re not natural. They are the consequences of policy failure … What we don’t know is killing us,” Hampton boldly claims and backs up with his extensive research. These words echo in my head as they are ones I have stated at many town hall meetings and discussions with my legislators.

Since 1999, according to the CDC,ย more than 932,000 people in the U.S. have died of drug overdose. The disheartening thing is that our nation didn’t open its eyes to this endemic until the New York Times reported that in 2021, 100,000 people had passed of an opioid overdose that year.

Fentanyl Nation is as much a call to action as it is a critique of Americaโ€™s failed drug policies. Hampton delivers both a sobering assessment of the current state of addiction in America and a hopeful blueprint for change. With its blend of rigorous research, personal testimony, and concrete policy recommendations, this book is a must-read for anyone invested in understanding and combating the overdose crisis. Itโ€™s not just a story of fentanylโ€”itโ€™s a story of systemic failure and the possibility of reform.

On a personal note, I commend Hampton for his advocacy and for bringing attention to this critical issue. I giveย Fentanyl Nationย 4.5 out of 5 Sobees.

The Sobees #QUITLIT Score: 4.5 out of 5

QUITLIT Book review The Sober Curator 4.5 out of 5 Sobees

TSC LIBRARY: Welcome to The Sober Curator Library! We donโ€™t just read books; we immerse ourselves in literary journeys, tune in on Audible, and craft insightful reviews. Our digital shelves are organized into three genres: #QUITLIT, Addiction Fiction, and Self-Help.


MENTAL HEALTH: Death By Fentanyl | Jason Mayo


the sober curator quit lit reviews
Resources Are Available

If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.

Elton John fentanyl nation fentanyl nation by ryan hampton fentanyl nation ryan hampton quit lit quit lit book review ryan hampton
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
Alexandra Nyman
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Instagram

Alexandra Nyman is a fashion designer, marketing professional, and the founder of the Break Free Foundation. When she is not screaming at the top of her lungs, advocating for change, she can be found taking a million pictures of her cat and playing way too much Animal Crossing.

Related Posts

#QUITLIT Book Review_ โ€œUnSweetinedโ€ by Jodie Sweetin

#QUITLIT Book Review: โ€œUnSweetinedโ€ by Jodie Sweetin โ€” A Full House Starโ€™s Sobriety Story

October 19, 2025
CUDI The Memoir QUITLIT Book review The Sober Curator

โ€œCudi: The Memoirโ€ โ€“ A Journey Through Dreams, Darkness, and Sobrietyย 

October 9, 2025
27 Addiction Fiction Books Weโ€™ve Reviewed _ The Sober Curator

27 Addiction Fiction Books Weโ€™ve Reviewed | The Sober Curator

October 2, 2025

Comments are closed.

Top AF Sober Travel Companies USA Today
Sober City Mobile App
SOBERSCRIBE AND GET ON THE LIST!
7 events found.
  • Week of October 27
  • Previous week
  • Next week
Notice
No events scheduled for October 27, 2025.
7:00 pm
Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle

Elliott Bay Books Seattle
$28.00
BigVision Halloween Fright Night
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

BigVision Halloween Fright Night

BigVision 309 Social Club 309 East 49th Street @ 2nd Ave, New York
$15.00
Notice
No events scheduled for October 29, 2025.
Notice
No events scheduled for October 30, 2025.
7:00 am
Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class
October 31 @ 7:30 am - 9:30 am PDT

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

$72.00
6:00 pm
Gay & Sober Presents:  HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.
October 31 @ 6:00 pm PDT

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.

The Manhattan Mirage 265 W. 37th Street at 8th Avenueย , New York City
See website
Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe
October 31 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe

1009 West 13th Street Vancouver, WA 98660 1009 West 13th Street, Vancouver
Free
Ongoing
Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

$3445 โ€“ $4995
7:00 am
Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy โ€“ CO)
November 1 @ 7:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy โ€“ CO)

Falcon Stadium 4900 Stadium Boulevard, Air Force Academy
See website
All Day
Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures
November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

$1999
Capetown, South Africa
November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

$4700
Ongoing
Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

$3445 โ€“ $4995

Week of Events

Mon 27
Tue 28
Wed 29
Thu 30
Fri 31
Sat 1
Sun 2
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm PDT

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats If youโ€™re in recoveryโ€”whether newly sober or years into your journeyโ€”and ready to reconnect with your purpose, build meaningful connections,

$3445 โ€“ $4995
November 1 @ 7:00 am - November 8 @ 1:00 pm <span class='timezone'> PDT </span>

Rediscover Peace & Purpose in Antigua with Sober Travel Retreats

November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

November 2 - November 9

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai with Bigger Life Adventures

Thailand Yoga, Culture, & Adventure Retreat in Chiang Mai Join us for a rejuvenating week-long yoga retreat near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the area

$1999
November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

Capetown, South Africa

November 2 - November 9

Capetown, South Africa

Capetown, South Africa Luxury reset, sightseeing, sobriety and safari in South Africa.

$4700
October 28, 2025 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson | Seattle

Suzanne Warye w/ Casey McGuire Davidson Wellness writer Suzanne Warye discussesย The Sober Shift: A Modern-Day Guide to Living an Abundant Sober Life, alongside life and sobriety coach Casey McGuire Davidson.

$28.00
October 28, 2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
BigVision Halloween Fright Night
October 28 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

BigVision Halloween Fright Night

BigVision Halloween Fright Night Get ready for a spooktacular evening at 309 Social Club! Join us for Halloween Fright Night, a special movie night guaranteed to bring the chills and

$15.00
October 31, 2025 7:30 am - 9:30 am
Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class
October 31 @ 7:30 am - 9:30 am PDT

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class Sober October Herbal Mocktail Class

$72.00
October 31, 2025 6:00 pm
Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.
October 31 @ 6:00 pm PDT

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N.

Gay & Sober Presents: HALLOQUEEN DANCE PARTY | MUSIC BY DJ E.N. TICKETS:ย  OCTOBER: $30 DAY OF/AT THE DOOR: $40ย  โ€‹ FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31ST, 2025 Mark your calendars for aย night

See website
October 31, 2025 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe
October 31 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm PDT

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe

Soberoke Costume Party at Couve Collective Downtown Vancouver Recovery Cafe Get ready to rock your favorite costume and sing your heart out at our Soberoke Costume Party - a night

Free
November 1, 2025 7:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy โ€“ CO)
November 1 @ 7:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy โ€“ CO)

Sober AF Entertainment: Army Black Knights vs. Air Force Falcons @ Falcon Stadium (Air Force Academy โ€“ CO)

See website
View Calendar
Thirty for Wonder by Anne Marie Cribbin
The Sober Curator
Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) TikTok YouTube Pinterest
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • LINKS DISCLAIMER
  • EDITORIAL GUIDELINES
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • REFUND POLICY
  • DON’T SELL MY INFO
  • DATA SUBJECT REQUEST FORM
  • CONTACT US
© 2025 The Sober Curator - Benefits of a Alcohol Free Lifestyle

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.