Introduction to Addictive behaviours

The structure of the book and its chapters are introduced. Three things stand out: first, market forces, if left unchecked, easily result in heavy use of addictive substances and behaviours, with many negative health and social consequences for society—these same market forces deter effective societal responses, leaving responsibility in the hands of individuals who are often stigmatized for their heavy use; secondly, the term addiction all too easily labels, steering societal responses to the level of individuals, rather than to the environmental drivers of behaviour—harm results from sustained heavy use, which exists within continua, rather than within the dichotomous concept of addiction; thirdly, an effective response to reducing harm and promoting health requires institutional, social, and physical environments that at the same time facilitate healthier behaviours and counter unchecked market forces.