Yes, the author points to what they think that the problem is, and what they think that the solution is. However the article connected me with the struggles of

Yes, the author points to what they think that the problem is, and what they think that the solution is. However the article connected me with the struggles of young men in my life. Which connects to what I see their problems as, and what the causes of those problems are. The message that I've heard from professionals who work on it says that addiction is largely a symptom. The disease is the problems that they are trying to avoid facing. Dominant among those diseases is a lack of social connection. The most successful interventions out there for addiction operate on this theory. Including the interventions that accompanied decriminalization of drugs in Portugal a quarter century ago. Which managed (varies by drug) 30-50% reductions in addiction rates. The author's theory is that the young men in question don't want social connection enough. They aren't lonely enough. This theory does not match my experience or understanding. The men in question are plenty lonely. They just have found unhealthy coping mechanisms for it. Like anger and addiction. In particular my thinking is strongly informed by the young man that I know best with a significant loneliness problem. From his narrative as he became radicalized against narratives that are dominant in his social environment. And his story finds echoes in a variety of toxic groups in society. And which fits with trends that are broadly reflected by polling. I think that the author brought up an issue that is important. But has the wrong prescription for it. We need to create more opportunity for social connection. And the opportunity starts with a willingness to listen to people we disagree with, rather than doubling down on polarization.