[throwaway0x69AF]

> Alcoholism is an option, but harder drugs generally are more expensive.

Are you sure? In my experience, a tab of acid costs $5-10, and the effects last about 5 hours. That's way cheaper than alcohol. [1] shows a breakdown of cost per hour for a bunch of drugs I've never touched, and most of them look to be pretty cheap under this metric. Compared to movies, sitting around in coffee shops, etc., they're remarkably cheaper than a lot of legal forms of entertainment.

[1] https://www.addictionresource.net/blog/cost-of-illegal-drugs...

[Broken_Hippo]

For occasional use, drugs give a lot of bang for the buck. I've met lots of folks doing them recreationally from time to time, but 1) it isn't just low-income folks and 2) Some personalities just pass completely, and lots of folks 'grow out' of some of them. I certainly have done more drugs, both illicit and legal, when I've had spending money compared to when I didn't. And then, it was generally a bottle of $5 wine. I can have a glass or two after work but certainly not drop acid after work and expect to go to work in the morning. You can quote that 5 hours, sure, but you probably need to have 8 hours free. (I have lots of experience with acid: I have completely lost track at how many hits I've done over the years).

There is also difference between that sort of recreational use and addiction, though. Even if you do acid as much as possible for it to really be effective, you aren't doing it that much. Heroin? Sure. Alcohol? Definitely.

And it depends on, say, the type of alcohol you buy. When I lived in the states, I worked at a pharmacy for years. We regularly sold a half gallon of vodka (and whiskey, gin, etc) for $10 or less. now, I don't know about you, but I could get me and a few friends pretty drunk from that one bottle. Heck, we could get fairly drunk on less than that - a 750ml bottle would do pretty well with 2-4 of us. Plus, alcohol is readily available. Not everyone knows where to get illicit substances, nor is everyone willing to risk losing their children over it. Acid carries a fairly tough penalty and your price is per person. Per experience. Isn't always available, even to those that use lots, unless you are in the right part of the world in a large enough city. There is a liquor store in most towns.