Marshall Poe
Marshall Poe
Jonathan S. Jones, "Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America's First Opioid Crisis" (UNC Press, 2025)
Jonathan S. Jones, "Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America's First Opioid Crisis" (UNC Press, 2025)
Jonathan S. Jones, "Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America's First Opioid Crisis" (UNC Press, 2025)
Tuesday 2nd December 2025
Explore Civil War veterans' struggles with addiction in America's first opioid crisis, as discussed by Dr. Jonathan S. Jones.
38 minutes
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Eye-opening
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Marshall Poe
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Get the buttons here!Opium Slavery: Civil War Veterans and America's Opioid Crisis
Episode Overview
- Civil War veterans faced lifelong addiction due to wartime opiate use.
- "Opium slavery" framed addiction as moral weakness.
- Veterans struggled with societal stigma and lack of benefits.
- Patent medicines offered false hope and worsened poverty.
- Historical narratives connect to modern drug policies.
"Veterans described themselves even as late as the early 20th century as opium slaves."
Get ready to dive into the past with Dr. Jonathan S. Jones as he takes us through a riveting exploration of America's first opioid crisis in his book "Opium Slavery." This episode of the podcast features a compelling conversation about how Civil War veterans faced addiction to opiates like morphine and laudanum, drugs that were crucial during wartime but led to lifelong struggles afterward.
The podcast explores the harsh realities faced by veterans, who were branded with moral weakness due to their addiction, impacting their access to benefits and societal standing. Dr. Jones reveals how the term "opium slavery" was coined during this era, highlighting the cultural perceptions that framed addiction as a character flaw rather than a medical condition.
The episode doesn't shy away from the grim outcomes these veterans faced, from being denied pensions to resorting to unregulated patent medicines in desperate attempts to overcome addiction. Dr. Jones also touches on how this historical narrative connects to modern-day drug policies and the war on drugs, offering listeners a chance to reflect on the evolution of addiction treatment and societal attitudes towards drug users.
If you're curious about the roots of America's opioid crisis and how history can shed light on contemporary issues, this episode is a must-listen. How do these stories from the past shape our understanding of addiction today?