toward a preliminary macro theory of drug addiction

Currently, the drug addiction literature is replete with micro-level theories of addiction that offer important insights into individual and small-group processes leading to addiction. However, few offer much consideration of macro-level matters (e.g., social structural and cultural). Macro theories of addiction are even more scarce. This inattention to macro-level factors may ultimately impede the ability to reduce addiction and related social problems. The purpose of this article is to offer preliminary formulations for a macro theory of drug addiction. A critique of leading micro-oriented theories, coupled with Hall and Jefferson's (1976) Cultural Studies school, helps facilitate this effort. The discussion centers on drug subcultures instead of individual addicts and brings macro-level matters (('.g., economic and social inequality and cultural norm,. ant: values) to the center of the debate. Furthermore, the new theoretical formulations offer important insights into rates of addiction among population subgroups ant' their potentially diverse etiologies. The article conclude, with a call for theoretical refinement and empirical assessment.