This provocative and controversial book challenges a number of widely held ideas in the alcohol/drug field by critically evaluating the bases of these ideas. The field of alcohol/drug studies is fraught with conflict and controversy, and each generation of researchers and practitioners seems to have its own special areas of conflict. In this new volume, experts focus on a number of important issues of current interest and controversy. Is alcoholism a "disease" or is it not? Should federal bans on drugs like heroin and cocaine be removed and will that solve, modify, or exacerbate the problem? Can the risk for alcoholism really be predicted?Professionals from a very wide variety of disciplines--medicine and biochemistry, psychiatry and psychology, philosophy, anthropology, law, social work, and journalism--present their very differing points of view on the perception of alcoholism as a disease and on public policy issues like proposed legislative controls over alcoholic beverages. Current Issues in Alcohol/Drug Studies touches upon a number of questions that will be of interest both to people in alcohol/drug research and in alcohol/drug treatment and prevention. Because it will undoubtedly stimulate further investigation and debate, researchers and policymakers will also find it useful.