Addiction may also be an effect of culture. Within every region of the United States there are entire communities living in poverty. These impoverished communities have fewer opportunities to advance in life and experience higher crime rates. Lacking basic safety and opportunities for a better life, boredom and frustration run high. Daily living becomes stressful as day-to-day survival becomes more challenging. These circumstances create an environment that allows addiction to flourish.
Questions for personal reflection from the sociocultural model: Regardless of what culture I identify with, in what ways has my culture shaped my attitude toward addiction? What are the norms of my culture toward intoxication? What changes do we need to make to stop promoting addiction? What can we do instead to discourage it? How do we accomplish these changes? For instance, addiction in impoverished areas declines when residents have better opportunities for advancement. Alcohol consumption goes down with higher taxes (which raise the price), less availability (by restricting where and when it can be sold), and fewer advertisements.