addiction can broadly serve two dissociable functions. One involves positive affect—drugs can generate pleasure (albeit with an ultimate cost that offsets the transient rewards). The other function concerns negative affect—drugs can be used to try to self-medicate away pain, depression, fear, anxiety, and stress. This dual purpose transitions us to the next chapter with its theme that society does not evenly distribute healthy opportunities for pleasure, or sources of fear and anxiety. It is hard to “just say no” when life demands a constant vigilance and when there are few other things to
...more
