Trivia

This film was based on the writings of James Fogle, who was a real-life criminal and drug addict who robbed drugstores.

Matt Dillon cited this film as his personal favorite, of all the films he has done.

Around the thirty-minute mark, Bob accidentally smashes the lamp behind him while swinging his golf club. This was not actually scripted; it was a real accident by Matt Dillon.

William Burroughs part was originally just as Tom the junkie He agreed to do the part as long as he could write more of a story to the character. He rewrote the back story and the dialogue himself.

Drugstore Cowboy (1989) was #2 on Roger Ebert's list of the "Best Films of 1989."