Abstract
Research in alcoholism has progressed at Buch a rapid rate that it is difficult for those interested in the subject to keep abreast of recent advances and to compare studies in the variety of interested fields. This book aims to bring together a wide selection of the best current social science research on drinking patterns, both normal and pathological. The aim of the author is to consolidate knowledge by collating a variety of studies and to point out the interrelationships between various studies in order to indicate possible paths for future research to take. The articles contained in this book are interdisciplinary in nature and are ordered in a sociologically relevant manner.