The ‘hard work earns a thirst’ or ‘drink and be one of the beautiful’ people messages of advertising campaigns and morning-after boasts of having ‘written ourselves off’ reinforce the image-one family embedded in out national psyche - of Aussies being big drinkers. Indeed alcohol has become such apart of our daily lives that we rarely question its impact - except to perhaps wonder whether we or someone we know is overdoing it a bit.
But as Dr Jean Lennane cogently portrays in Alcohol: The National Hangover, those we think of as having severe alcohol problems are far from the only ones affected. It has an impact daily on our recreation activities, work and domestic lives and one has only to consider the crimes committed under its influence — domestic and other assaults, robberies. murder and road trauma - to glimpse its wide-reaching effects.
Written by a medical practitioner with many years’ experience in treating those with alcohol problems this is the most comprehensive book on the subject to date.
For those who think they or someone they know may have an alcohol problem there is information on identifying the stages of dependency - from needing a drink to steady the nerves, to the severe physical, mental and emotional problems associated with alcoholism.
The too-frequent occurrence of teenage drinking and its often tragic consequences is detailed along with the role of alcohol in:
- road trauma
- sport - sponsorship and effects on performance
- sexual activity
- crime
- work (Including those professions and jobs where heavy drinking is likely to be most found).
She also identifies ‘safe’ drinking levels and evaluates the power of the economic push towards increasing alcohol consumption
There is comprehensive advice for those wishing to seek help as well as suggested education programs and legislative, political and attitudinal changes necessary to overcome the prevalence of alcohol generally.
A most important book on a subject affecting our whole society.
Author: Jean Lennane
Publisher: Allen & Unwin (17 July 1992)
ISBN: 1863732128
