During an era of increasing concern over drug abuse, there has been a regrettable decline in general interest about alcoholism. Wilkinson's study recognizes the persistence of drinking problems, and our failure to deal with it adequately. The author is a social scientist who served as a research assistant for the NIMH Cooperative Commission on the Study of Alcoholism from 1962 to 1966. The material he reviewed and collected during that period serves as the background for this book. He formulates a program designed to alter the drinking pattern of society which he views as contributing excessively to the prevalence of alcoholism.

Predominantly sociological investigations from several Western countries are utilized to support the author's proposals.