Habit Forming

Habit Forming explores the historical landscape of drug use in the United States prior to the 1914 Harrison Narcotic Tax Act, which imposed restrictions on opiates and cocaine. It examines the widespread medical use of addictive substances and the shifting social perceptions surrounding dependency, particularly among different socioeconomic groups. Through the lens of public health and evolving laws, the audiobook highlights how addiction, once viewed with sympathy for middle-class users, transformed into a broader legal issue tied to class and race, shaping the trajectory of American drug policy.