Free Refills

A Doctor Confronts His Addiction

By: Peter Grinspoon MD

Narrated by: Kiff VandenHeuvel

Free Refills is the harrowing tale of a Harvard-trained medical doctor run horribly amok through his addiction to prescription medication, and his recovery.

Dr. Peter Grinspoon seemed to be a total success: a Harvard-educated M.D. with a thriving practice; married with two great kids and a gorgeous wife; a pillar of his community. But lurking beneath the thin veneer of having it all was an addict fueled on a daily boatload of prescription meds. When the police finally came calling--after a tip from a sharp-eyed pharmacist--Grinspoon's house of cards came tumbling down fast. His professional ego turned out to be an impediment to getting clean as he cycled through recovery to relapse, his reputation, family life, and lifestyle in ruins. What finally moves him to recover and reclaim life--including working with other physicians who themselves are addicts--makes for inspiring reading.

A book that’s good till the end

great story and fluent and told with such excellent descriptions that makes you feel like you are there going through every emotion and feeling yourself. well told. recommend to your friends and colleagues even if they don’t have addictions themselves

What a journey!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I learned a lot about something I never even knew I didn't know. Doctors, who have addictions.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Free Refills?

Every moment that the author's kids missed him, and the discussion on the couch. Ouch. I cried. Hard.

Which character – as performed by Kiff VandenHeuvel – was your favorite?

The author.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

He never stopped quitting.

Really Capture's what it's like to be addicted to prescription pain killers!

I really enjoyed listening to this book on tape. The narrator did a great job of telling the doctors story. Peter Grinspoon did an excellent job telling his story about his life of addiction. Whether your a doctor or not addiction is addiction and the stories seem to be the same. If you know someone who is addicted to prescription pain killers you should read this book. If you think you might be addicted yourself, you should read this book. If you are clean from your own addiction you will see yourself in this book. It should be available at every treatment center in America!

He Earned It Fair & Square!

I loved his honesty and LOVED the narrator. Absolutely loved the ending and his admission of denial. Also enjoyed the flashbacks once I got used to them.

Would love to hear his ex wife's side of the story

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Too much ranting about his uncaring ex wife. There are three sides to every story...his, hers, and the truth. I am sure living with an addict must be extremely hard

Any additional comments?

It was a great story that needs to be told. I just got fed up with how much time was spent berating his ex wife. While I do not know who she is, and she is referred to by a letter in the story, many people must know who she is so I feel bad for her. He said himself he left the house to go to his office to use many evenings. Guess that wasn't much fun for her!