This work investigates the hypothesis that the global rise in addiction is not merely a biological or individual failing, but a direct consequence of the erosion of social bonds and the 'poverty of the spirit' inherent in modern market-driven societies. Bruce K. Alexander, a professor emeritus of psychology, utilizes historical analysis and cross-disciplinary research to argue that addiction functions as a maladaptive response to the loss of community and meaningful connection. He posits that the current global economic framework systematically dismantles the social structures necessary for human well-being, thereby creating an environment where addictive behaviors flourish as a substitute for genuine social integration.

Experts in the field of addiction studies recognize this text as a significant contribution to the social-environmental model of dependency. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the author's challenging critique of contemporary economic systems.