Alcohol has played a major part in British life for centuries. It has led do the rise and fall of governments, financed wars, provoked civil disorder and even acts of terrorism. In this book, two of the leading authorities on alcohol and its problems take a look at the UK and its alcohol addiction.

Alcohol has played a major part in British life for centuries. It has led to the rise and fall of governments, financed wars, provoked civil disorder and even acts of terrorism. In many countries, alcohol consumption has been decreasing in recent years but in Britain we are drinking more and more, and from an earlier age. With the relaxation of licensing hours there is real concern that the current epidemic of binge drinking will get even worse. So why has this problem not arisen in most of the continent? Why are British adolescents drinking more now than ever? What will be the effect of the relaxation of licensing hours? Why have so many city centres become no-go zones - filled with social unrest and violence? Is it just that we can't hold our drink - or that we don't know when to stop? The authors of this book are two of the leading authorities on alcohol and its problems. In this highly topical book, the first ever on binge drinking, they take a look at the UK and its alcohol problem. They review the role of alcohol in Britain in the past 1500 years. Binge Britain looks at why our drinking culture is maintained and why politicians seem reluctant to act effectively to reduce the problem. The authors examine the power of the alcohol industry, and the huge amount of money it contributes in taxes. The book provides an informed overview of recent developments in alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems, together with a commentary on and critique of the development of recent policy and the national response to this policy. Informative, authoritative, and accessibly written, Binge Britain provides a fascinating look at our need for intoxication.

Adolescence is a turbulent period, a time when young people are particularly prone to risky behaviour, such as drug use and unprotected sex. Risk Takers provides a comprehensive view of youthful involvement with drinking, smoking, illicit drug use, and sexual activity. In particular, the authors explore the evidence linking alcohol, drug use, disinhibition and risky sex. They discuss these issues in relation to evidence suggesting that some forms of risk-taking are interconnected. Though some young people are especially prone to take risks due to poverty and social advantage, the authors emphasize that risk-taking is commonplace adolescent behaviour, difficult to restrain or curb. They remind us that past attempts to reduce youthful alcohol and drug misuse have produced disappointing results, and they also point out that most young people have not modified their sexual behaviour in the light of the risks of AIDS. Risk-taking is unlikely to be prevented by mass media campaigns or bland slogans such as Just Say No. The authors examine the effectiveness of preventive strategies and public policy and emphasize the importance of harm-minimization strategies.

Adolescence is a turbulent period, a time when young people are particularly prone to risky behaviour, such as drug use and unprotected sex. Risk Takers provides a comprehensive view of youthful involvement with drinking, smoking, illicit drug use, and sexual activity. In particular, the authors explore the evidence linking alcohol, drug use, disinhibition and risky sex. They discuss these issues in relation to evidence suggesting that some forms of risk-taking are interconnected. Though some young people are especially prone to take risks due to poverty and social advantage, the authors emphasize that risk-taking is commonplace adolescent behaviour, difficult to restrain or curb. They remind us that past attempts to reduce youthful alcohol and drug misuse have produced disappointing results, and they also point out that most young people have not modified their sexual behaviour in the light of the risks of AIDS. Risk-taking is unlikely to be prevented by mass media campaigns or bland slogans such as Just Say No. The authors examine the effectiveness of preventive strategies and public policy and emphasize the importance of harm-minimization strategies.

Humans have been using psychoactive (mind-altering) drugs since ancient times. Barely a day goes by without a drug related issue reaching the headlines, and drugs, in some way or other, affect all of our lives, whether by our own use, the use of those we know, or even from just being a victim of drug related crime.
This book provides an accessible and lucid introduction to some of the main health and social issues related to illicit drugs and their use. It reviews a range of popular drugs - including amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, Ecstasy (MDMA), heroin and LSD whilst considering the law related to such substances. Written in an accessible and approachable style, the book dispels some of the many myths about drug use that exist, offering an authoritative and balanced perspective on issues of personal, local, national and international importance.
Drug Nation will be essential reading for anyone who wants to be informed about the drug situation, offering a sensible and non-sensational account of drugs and drug taking.

Millions of us make use of psychoactive-or mind-altering-drugs. Such drugs, both legal and otherwise, can cause pleasure or pain (or both). So, too, can sex, gambling, shopping, dieting, exercise, and Internet use. 'Addiction' or 'dependence' on substances like alcohol, tobacco, illicit and prescribed drugs, and on other risky behaviours, is strongly associated with a broad range of personal and social consequences. They can greatly enhance life-or ruin it. The heavy and chronic use of legal and illegal drugs, as well as other compulsive or problematic behaviours, are associated with massive health and social problems. Health problems related to addiction include dependence, injury, overdose, foetal damage, cancers, liver disease, and premature mortality, while social problems include crime and disorder, debt, family violence, poverty, and industrial inefficiency. The addictions field is very wide ranging, and covers a considerable number of psychoactive substances and compulsive behaviours. However, much of the literature remains inaccessible or is highly specialized and compartmentalized, so that it is hard for many of those who are interested to obtain an informed and comprehensive overview of issues and evidence. The sheer scale of the growth in addiction research output-and the breadth of the field-makes this four-volume collection especially timely and meets the demand for a wide ranging, multidisciplinary perspective on this fascinating and important subject. The editors have collected material under the following sections and, together with their newly written introduction, this Routledge Major Work, a new title in the Major Themes in Health and Social Welfare series, will enable users to make sense of the wide range of approaches, theories, and concepts that have informed the subject to date: * concepts of addiction * alcohol * tobacco * illicit drugs * other addictive behaviours such as compulsive gambling, sex, exercise, shopping, Internet use and dieting. Edited by two of the world's leading authorities on addiction and risky behaviours, Addiction will be welcomed by professionals and policymakers in health and social services. It will also be an invaluable reference resource for students and scholars working in the field of addiction, as well as those whose courses in a wide range of allied disciplines-such as nursing, medicine, psychology, education, social work, and law-increasingly require an understanding of the issues this collection explores.