I liked the way you framed drug use as temporary happiness loans. That's very insightful.

>Now, I'm aware that this is quite complex, but still I wonder how many people there are out there who can self-control themself and diligently keep their debt in order.

The analogy breaks down a bit here for me.

Before I had a cat, I couldn't understand how people could pay so much for veterinary bills. After I got a cat, I could see myself spending more on her than I would spend on myself. Like, what's the point of having money if not to make my cat happy? My relationship to money itself changed. Self-control isn't a factor.

I'm stretching this analogy, but I wonder how many drug users with their happiness debts in balance have really just reframed their happiness finances around their addiction.