The Junkie is a novel that intertwines the lives of several characters, Bill, Jack, and Katherine, as they navigate through personal and professional challenges, including addiction, groundbreaking medical discoveries, and a dangerous journey on the sea. Bill is a skilled surgeon, but his addiction leads him to dangerous behavior, including using propofol to induce vivid erotic dreams. The novel explores the tension between his professional successes and personal demons. Jack's loyalty to Bill gets tested as he tries to help him while dealing with his own professional challenges and romantic interests, particularly with Katherine. Embarking on a sailing trip, they face numerous challenges, including a near-death experience during a storm and an encounter with pirates. Their journey is both a physical and emotional test, strengthening their bond and revealing their resilience. Bill's groundbreaking work in medical research, particularly his medical development that can cure common diseases, becomes a focal point of the novel. However, his methods raise ethical questions, especially when he administers the treatment without prior consent.
Hagen, a retired surgeon, combines the issues of medicine, ethics and loyalty into a masterful tale of love, addiction and the search for happiness.