Description
Dr. Holden was living the American Dream. He was highly respected by his colleagues and patients, esteemed by the local community. Little did he know that his enchanted life would be soon spectacularly crushed, his reputation and his health ruined, and his freedom endangered.
A dramatic narrative with intense courtroom drama, PAIN ON TRIAL is based on a true story. In the book you’ll learn the truth about the under-treatment of pain, and the real role of the medically indicated opioids in the current drug overdose crisis. You’ll find the facts rarely discussed in the news about the role of opioids in treating pain and the issues related to drug dependence, drug abuse, and drug addiction.
The book also depicts the misguided government policies and actions that imperil lives of thousands of pain patients and medical professionals who treat them. You will be stunned to learn how the usage of opioid analgesics and dependence on them are often misunderstood, misrepresented, and vilified.
The unforeseen twists and turns of this true story that happened in Boston, MA, including two federal trials, won’t let you put the book down until you reach the astonishing ending.
Yuliya Shulman
“Pain on Trial is an insider’s look at what it is like for an innocent person to be on trial for 8 long years. After reading it, you will wonder how our legal system can be so flawed. In Pain on Trial, the unbelievable course of events is so surreal and unexpected that the reader might be tempted to believe the book is a work of pure fiction. However, it is a true story. Dr. Holden’s story is as moving as it is incredible. Readers will be uplifted and inspired by the courage and strength of Dr. Holden and his family.”
— Lynn R. Webster, MD, Past President of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, author of the award winning book The Painful Truth, and co-producer of a public television documentary with the same name.
Gripping read about government overreach and the persecution of innocent individuals to be sacrificed on the altar of misguided drug enforcement policy. The state actors are relentless in pursuing a doctor who is only trying to help his patients lead productive lives. I was dismayed by the Gestapo-like tactics of the DEA agents and their minions in the state police. I enjoyed the courtroom drama, and while I generally dislike lawyers, I was impressed by the defense attorney’s attacks on the prosecution’s witnesses.
— Bob Brooks
The book is a nice depiction of a true story that began over 10 years ago. The Opioid crisis and war on drugs were not declared yet, same as guidelines for physicians. A respected community doctor is trying to treat multiple chronic pain patients to the best of his knowledge and ability, falls as a victim of a multiagency government investigation trying to eliminate heavy opioid medications prescribers and “drug mills”. He is losing his license, office, health but not dignity, pride and support of family and friends, that helps him ultimately to withstand the enormous pressure of the government agencies resources and indifference of the state physician organization. He is probably the one in few who was able to withstand this very long battle and return his ignored presumption of innocence and good name. The book will be very interesting for practicing physicians and lawyers, though any reader will be pulled in by the unexpected twists and colorful characters…
— Gary I Polykoff