This is a good book on drugs and the history of prohibition.

https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Oblivion-Global-History-Narco...

> Start asking why so many people want to alter their subjective realities

Some years ago I read an interesting book on this, called The Pursuit of Oblivion[1]. In addition to providing a fascinating look at historical drug use across different cultures, the book also makes the general argument that the human drive to alter one's consciousness is as natural and inherent as the drives for food, sex, etc.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-Oblivion-Global-History-Narco...