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Alcoholism and Drug Use

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Deviant Behavior

Abstract

Billions of people around the world drink alcoholic beverages of one type or another. For most, drinking does not constitute a problem. What are the criteria for alcoholism or, as some professionals prefer, “problem drinking?” Robert Straus argues that problem drinking is the broader term and includes alcoholism. He defines as problem drinkers persons who repeatedly use alcohol in amounts greater than “customary dietary use or prevailing socially acceptable customs”; or in amounts that lead to health problems, interfere with everyday relationships with others, or hamper fulfilling family, economic, and community expectations.1 The core of this definition has to do with use that is excessive in terms of prevailing customs or injuries to health or disruption of role relationships.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire, USA

    Stuart Palmer

  2. University of North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA

    John A. Humphrey

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Palmer, S., Humphrey, J.A. (1990). Alcoholism and Drug Use. In: Deviant Behavior. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0583-3_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0583-3_10

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