What do you think?
Rate this book
Problem Drinking
This book bridges the gap between the modern scientific account of alcohol problems and popular perceptions. In particular, it presents detailed evidence that problem drinking is not a disease as many believe but a learned behavioral disorder that should be treated as such. The disease
concept of alcoholism, the authors argue, classifies people not behavior patterns, and it directs treatment toward something people "have" rather than something they do. This results in an unnecessarily rigid and complex approach to health care. The behavioral concept on the other hand, while
equally compassionate, allows for much more flexible treatment options. The practical implications of this "paradigm change" in thinking are explored, with particular reference to several programs that hold valuable lessons for the health-care community. This revised edition has been updated to
include major developments that have taken place within the last five years, with their implications for the future of alcohol treatment. As the first attempt to communicate directly to the general public and students of the subject the most current scientific knowledge concerning alcohol abuse,
this work has broad significance for general readers as well as for doctors, alcohol counsellors, health educators and policy makers.
concept of alcoholism, the authors argue, classifies people not behavior patterns, and it directs treatment toward something people "have" rather than something they do. This results in an unnecessarily rigid and complex approach to health care. The behavioral concept on the other hand, while
equally compassionate, allows for much more flexible treatment options. The practical implications of this "paradigm change" in thinking are explored, with particular reference to several programs that hold valuable lessons for the health-care community. This revised edition has been updated to
include major developments that have taken place within the last five years, with their implications for the future of alcohol treatment. As the first attempt to communicate directly to the general public and students of the subject the most current scientific knowledge concerning alcohol abuse,
this work has broad significance for general readers as well as for doctors, alcohol counsellors, health educators and policy makers.
366 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 1990
6 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
March 10, 2022
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.
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.
Displaying 1 of 1 review