Is "drug addiction" based on circumstances?

[Lanval]

An interesting read about testing drug addiction in rats:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rat_Park

[glasseye]

Very interesting indeed. If one takes the decidedly unscientific approach of "That maps perfectly to my anecdotal observations", it makes sense.

Even if the research was done in the "tundra of research", my hometown, Vancouver.

[Lanval]

Well, it got me to wondering how much drug abuse in our society is essentially a result of our society. I live with a fair amount of stress, yet I'm clear that some changes would eliminate those stressors, while introducing others (like my wife not agreeing to live in the van...).

Here's another relevant post from the NY Times today;

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/scien ... .html?_r=0

[Amskeptic]

Well, it got me to wondering how much drug abuse in our society is essentially a result of our society. I live with a fair amount of stress, yet I'm clear that some changes would eliminate those stressors, while introducing others (like my wife not agreeing to live in the van...).

Here's another relevant post from the NY Times today;

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/scien ... .html?_r=0

Very good. I like revisiting places where many people stop short with judgmental blame.

I see it all under the umbrella of "self-medication".
Colin