This handbook bridges the many disciplines involved in the research, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and reviews the current knowledge over the whole field of alcohol studies. It also addresses the basic mechanisms of alcohol's effects on human physiology and behaviour.

About the Editors. List of Contributors. Preface. ALCOHOL AND PEOPLE (N. Heather). Editor's Introduction (N. Heather). Pleasures and Pains of Our Favourite Drug (N. Heather). A Social and Political History of Alcohol (B. Thom). Governing Images in Public Discourse About Problematic Drinking (R. Room). Classification of Alcohol-Related Problems and Dependence (E. Epstein). CLINICAL PATHOLOGY (T. Peters). Editor's Introduction (T. Peters). Molecular Basis and Metabolic Consequences of Ethanol Metabolism (C. Lieber). Neuropharmacology of Ethanol and Alcohol Dependence (A. Lingford-Hughes & D. Nutt). Neurological Consequences of Alcohol Use (R. Knight). Effect of Alcohol on the Orogastrointestinal Tract, the Pancreas and the Liver (H. Seitz & N. Homann). Alcoholic Muscle, Skin and Bone Disease (V. Preedy, et al.). Nutrition and Infectious Disease (R. Estruch). Cardiovascular System (A. Klatsky). Diagnostic and Monitoring Investigations (J. Whitfield). ANTECEDENTS OF DRINKING, ALCOHOL PROBLEMS AND DEPENDENCE (N. Heather). Editor's Introduction (N. Heather). Genetic Predisposition to Alcohol Dependence and Problems (C. Cook & H. Gurling). Classical Conditioning Mechanisms in Alcohol Dependence (D. Drobes, et al.). An Operant Behavioral Perspective on Alcohol Abuse and Dependence (G. Bigelow). Social and Cognitive Learning Processes (R. Collins & C. Bradizza). Developmental Processes (D. Gorman). Individual Differences (W. Cox, et al.). DRINKING PATTERNS AND TYPES OF ALCOHOL PROBLEM (T. Stockwell). Editor's Introduction (T. Stockwell). Internatonal Trends in Alcohol Production and Consumption (J. Partanen & J. Simpura). Relationship of Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol Problems at the Population Level (P. Lemmens). Individual Risk of Alcohol-Related Disease and Problems (T. Greenfield). Alcohol and Crime: Examining the Link (K. Graham & P. West). The Anthropology of Drinking (D. Moore). TREATMENT AND RECOVERY (N. Heather). Editor's Introduction (N. Heather). The Effectiveness of Treatment (J. Brown). Assessment for Brief Intervention and Treatment (M. Yang & H. Skinner). Alcohol Withdrawal and Detoxification (D. Raistrick). Pharmacological Treatments (J. Chick). Cognitive-Behavioural Alcohol Treatment (G. Parks, et al.). Relapse Prevention Therapy (G. Parks, et al.). Motivational Interviewing (S. Rollnick & J. Allison). Brief Interventions (N. Heather). Treating Comorbidity of Alcohol Problems and Psychiatric Disorder (K. Mueser & D. Kavanagh). Natural Recovery from Alcohol Problems (H. Klingemann). Alcoholics Anonymous and Other Mutual Aid Groups (C. Emrick). PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL PROBLEMS (T. Stockwell). Editor's Introduction (T. Stockwell). Effect of Price and Taxation (E. Osterberg). Controls on the Physical Availability of Alcohol (T. Stockwell & P. Gruenewald). Creating Safer Drinking Environments (R. Homel, et al.). Prevention of Alcohol-Related Road Crashes (A. McKnight & R. Voas). Prevention at the Local Level (A. Treno & H. Holder). Alcohol Education in Schools (R. Midford & N. McBride). Mass Media Marketing and Advocacy to Reduce Alcohol-Related Harm (K. Boots & R. Midford). Alcohol Advertising and Sponsorship: Commercial Freedom or Control in the Public Interest? (L. Hill & S. Casswell). Author Index. Subject Index. CLINICAL PATHOLOGY (Editor: Timothy J. Peters). ANTECEDENTS OF DRINKING, ALCOHOL PROBLEMS AND DEPENDENCE (Editor: Nick Heather). DRINKING PATTERNS AND TYPES OF ALCOHOL PROBLEM (Editor: Tim Stockwell). TREATMENT AND RECOVERY (Editor: Nick Heather). PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL PROBLEMS (Editor: Tim Stockwell). Author Index. Subject Index.

The International Handbook of Alcohol Dependence and Problems is an authoritative, comprehensive coverage of the entire field of alcohol studies from neurochemistry to sociology. With a focus on alcohol dependence and alcohol-related problems, key contents include: Basic mechanisms of alcohol metabolism and dependenceTheories of drinking and drinking problemsTypes of alcohol-related problems, including medical problems and pathogenic mechanismsForms of treatment, recovery and methods for preventionChapter outlines including a summary and main conclusionsKey works for each topic and suggestions for further reading Written by an international team of experts, this Handbook will be accessible to a wide range of readers, including students, clinicians, researchers and policy-makers.

"This book is an inspiration....a splendidly useful text." (Addiction, No. 95, 2001) "In summary, this book is a very important addition to the field of alcohol studies that will not only educate those unfamiliar with alcohol research but will also provide researchers in the filed with very useful information." (Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Jan. 2002) "...the breadth and depth of this book make it a mandatory purchase for anyone looking to commission or manage an alcohol service in this country..." (Hospital Medicine, 1 March 2002) "a must have for clinicians, researchers, and students in the addiction field" (The Behaviour Therapist) "...The editors deserve congratulations for producing what will surely be a standard refernce boook for some years to come..." (Addiction Biology, No.7 2002)  “…one of the most comprehensive and exciting works on alcohol use and dependence…both informative and provocative…” (Contemporary Psychology, Vol 46(6), 2003 “…an outstanding work and it does exactly what the editors say…” (Drug and Alcohol Review, 22 Dec 2003)

About the Editors. List of Contributors. Preface. ALCOHOL AND PEOPLE (N. Heather). Editor's Introduction (N. Heather). Pleasures and Pains of Our Favourite Drug (N. Heather). A Social and Political History of Alcohol (B. Thom). Governing Images in Public Discourse About Problematic Drinking (R. Room). Classification of Alcohol-Related Problems and Dependence (E. Epstein). CLINICAL PATHOLOGY (T. Peters). Editor's Introduction (T. Peters). Molecular Basis and Metabolic Consequences of Ethanol Metabolism (C. Lieber). Neuropharmacology of Ethanol and Alcohol Dependence (A. Lingford-Hughes & D. Nutt). Neurological Consequences of Alcohol Use (R. Knight). Effect of Alcohol on the Orogastrointestinal Tract, the Pancreas and the Liver (H. Seitz & N. Homann). Alcoholic Muscle, Skin and Bone Disease (V. Preedy, et al.). Nutrition and Infectious Disease (R. Estruch). Cardiovascular System (A. Klatsky). Diagnostic and Monitoring Investigations (J. Whitfield). ANTECEDENTS OF DRINKING, ALCOHOL PROBLEMS AND DEPENDENCE (N. Heather). Editor's Introduction (N. Heather). Genetic Predisposition to Alcohol Dependence and Problems (C. Cook & H. Gurling). Classical Conditioning Mechanisms in Alcohol Dependence (D. Drobes, et al.). An Operant Behavioral Perspective on Alcohol Abuse and Dependence (G. Bigelow). Social and Cognitive Learning Processes (R. Collins & C. Bradizza). Developmental Processes (D. Gorman). Individual Differences (W. Cox, et al.). DRINKING PATTERNS AND TYPES OF ALCOHOL PROBLEM (T. Stockwell). Editor's Introduction (T. Stockwell). Internatonal Trends in Alcohol Production and Consumption (J. Partanen & J. Simpura). Relationship of Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol Problems at the Population Level (P. Lemmens). Individual Risk of Alcohol-Related Disease and Problems (T. Greenfield). Alcohol and Crime: Examining the Link (K. Graham & P. West). The Anthropology of Drinking (D. Moore). TREATMENT AND RECOVERY (N. Heather). Editor's Introduction (N. Heather). The Effectiveness of Treatment (J. Brown). Assessment for Brief Intervention and Treatment (M. Yang & H. Skinner). Alcohol Withdrawal and Detoxification (D. Raistrick). Pharmacological Treatments (J. Chick). Cognitive-Behavioural Alcohol Treatment (G. Parks, et al.). Relapse Prevention Therapy (G. Parks, et al.). Motivational Interviewing (S. Rollnick & J. Allison). Brief Interventions (N. Heather). Treating Comorbidity of Alcohol Problems and Psychiatric Disorder (K. Mueser & D. Kavanagh). Natural Recovery from Alcohol Problems (H. Klingemann). Alcoholics Anonymous and Other Mutual Aid Groups (C. Emrick). PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL PROBLEMS (T. Stockwell). Editor's Introduction (T. Stockwell). Effect of Price and Taxation (E. Österberg). Controls on the Physical Availability of Alcohol (T. Stockwell & P. Gruenewald). Creating Safer Drinking Environments (R. Homel, et al.). Prevention of Alcohol-Related Road Crashes (A. McKnight & R. Voas). Prevention at the Local Level (A. Treno & H. Holder). Alcohol Education in Schools (R. Midford & N. McBride). Mass Media Marketing and Advocacy to Reduce Alcohol-Related Harm (K. Boots & R. Midford). Alcohol Advertising and Sponsorship: Commercial Freedom or Control in the Public Interest? (L. Hill & S. Casswell). Author Index. Subject Index. CLINICAL PATHOLOGY (Editor: Timothy J. Peters). ANTECEDENTS OF DRINKING, ALCOHOL PROBLEMS AND DEPENDENCE (Editor: Nick Heather). DRINKING PATTERNS AND TYPES OF ALCOHOL PROBLEM (Editor: Tim Stockwell). TREATMENT AND RECOVERY (Editor: Nick Heather). PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL PROBLEMS (Editor: Tim Stockwell). Author Index. Subject Index.