Binge Britain Alcohol and the National Response

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 andmore, 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 theeffect 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 whyour 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 alcoholconsumption 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.

Martin Plant, a social scientist, is Professor of Addiction Studies in the University of the West of England, Bristol. He is also Director of the Alcohol & Health Research Trust, a charity. His publications include the books Drugtakers in an English Town, Drugs in Perspective, Risktakers: Alcohol, Drugs, Sex and Youth, Alcohol: Minimising the Harm and the Alcohol Report. His work has focused on social, behavioural and policy aspects of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs as well as HIV/AIDS and risk taking behaviours. He is Director of the UK part of the 35 country European School Survey Project on Alcohol & other Drugs (ESPAD). Martin Plant is a frequent broadcaster and has served as a consultant to the World Health Organization. He has organised many scientific meetings related to alcohol, drugs and other topics.
Moira Plant, a social scientist, is Professor of Alcohol Studies in the University of the West of England, Bristol. She is also Director of the Alcohol & Health Research Trust, a charity. Her publications include the books Women, Drinking and Pregnancy, Risktakers: Alcohol, Drugs, Sex and Youth and Women and Alcohol: Contemporary and Historical Perspectives. She has a longstanding interesting issues related to alcohol and gender and the effects of maternal drinking during pregnancy. She chaired the working group on drinking and pregnancy of the International Life Sciences Institute. She is Director of the UK and Isle of Man components of Gender, Alcohol & Culture: an International Study (GENACIS). The latter includes over 30 countries. Moira was recently President of the international Kettil Bruun Society for Social & Epidemiological Research on Alcohol. She is a frequent broadcaster and has served as a temporary advisor to the World Health Organization.