A theory of entrenched socioeconomic deprivation and addiction to strong mind-altering substances

Consumption of strong mind-altering substances might stem from a drive for immediate relief of entrenched deprivation and might rise with the product of the user's discontent and physiological tolerance. If initially this product is sufficiently large, the user is trapped in a vicious circle that may converge to high, or low, status/addiction steady state. If the user is trapped in the high steady state, an increase in treatment is clearly desirable. In contrast, the possible improvement of the user's socioeconomic status from increasing law-enforcement or socioeconomic opportunities might be dominated by the adverse effect of addiction.