Routledge - The Making of Addiction: Opium in 19th-Century Britain

Explore the historical evolution of drug addiction through this scholarly study from Routledge. While addiction is a widely understood concept in modern society, its origins and definitions have shifted significantly over time. This book examines how the meaning of addiction was shaped and how different interpretations emerged during the nineteenth century. Focusing on the use and abuse of opium in Britain, the text investigates the development of addiction as a recognized disease. It examines the specific medical treatments, social regimes, and prejudices that defined this emerging pathological entity. By looking at how opium use was viewed as a form of moral insanity, readers gain a deeper understanding of how historical contexts influence our current perceptions of substance use and medical history.