Problem Drinking

by Nick Heather, Ian Robertson

'Problem Drinking' aims to bridge the wide gap that exists between the modern, scientific account of the nature of alcohol problems and the popular understanding of the subject. It outlines an alternative approach to alcohol problems, based on the premise that they are best seen as examples of socially learned behaviour. Despite the practical focus on British context, the ideas and evidence reviewed in the book have an important, international relevance.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 1990

Reviews

[Budge Burgess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting dated now - this 3rd edition was originally published in 1997 - but it still provides an interesting discussion and critique of the medical model which defines alcohol problems in terms of disease. I worked with problems drinkers and people with drug problems for many years - and spent too much of my own life drinking: I have no professional or personal belief in the disease model / medical model and feel it only serves to retard our abilities to engage with drink / drug problems and the need for behavioural change.
The first half of this book discusses research and explores the history of the emergence of the medical model, and explains the failings of this approach. It's worth a read.
The second half of the book discusses learning and conditioning theories and, frankly, is not worth reading. However, this is not the place to write a professional critique rather than a review.
If you're engaged in the field, this book is still worth looking at, but you need a knowledge of the social sciences before you start, it's not really for the 'lay' person.