the Librium thrown over the shoulder
how they gave him Librium to help with the discomfort of Withdrawal, and how Francis says he just threw the Librium hard over his left shoulder, for luck, and has had very good luck ever since.
Context
The Crocodile's detox-podium lore, summoned by Gately as ballast against the temptation: offered a benzo to ease his withdrawal, Francis threw it over his shoulder for luck and has had good luck since. It is the hardcore-abstinence position at its purest — refusing even the medically sanctioned comfort of the taper — and Gately reaches for the story precisely because he is about to be offered the sanctioned comfort himself.