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 (e.g., economic and social inequality and cultural norms and values) to the center of the debate. Furthermore, the new theoretical formulations offer important insights into rates of addiction among population subgroups and their potentially diverse etiologies. The article concludes with a call for theoretical refinement and empirical assessment.