Controlled Drinking

Controlled Drinking was the first scholarly review of the literature on a controversial but increasingly practiced approach to the treatment of alcoholism. It examined the evidence indicating that some people previously diagnosed as alcoholics are able to return to normal, controlled patterns of drinking and discussed therapies where controlled drinking is the treatment goal. The authors recommended that the disease view of alcoholism be abandoned and that the revised paperback edition include an important postscript on the charges of falsification of evidence and their subsequent refutation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 318 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Originally published in 1981 and revised in 1983, Controlled Drinking was the first comprehensive scholarly review of the literature on a controversial but increasingly practiced approach to the treatment of alcoholism. Nick Heather and Ian Robertson, two esteemed experts in the field, delve into the critical questions raised by controlled drinking, beginning with the need to examine the disease conception of alcoholism and the effectiveness of total abstinence treatment. They explore the evidence suggesting that certain individuals previously diagnosed with alcoholism can regain normal, controlled patterns of drinking, and discuss therapies where controlled drinking is the primary treatment goal. Thoroughly reviewing the evidence supporting and refuting these therapies, the authors conclude with a thoughtful discussion of the theoretical and policy implications of controlled drinking. They strongly advocate for abandoning the disease view of alcoholism, emphasizing the importance of a more nuanced and patient-centered approach to treating alcohol-related issues.

For the revised paperback edition, the authors not only corrected and updated the text and references but also included an important postscript addressing the charges of falsification of evidence and their subsequent refutation, known as the Sobell affair. This postscript adds valuable context to the book, particularly for student and professional readers, as it discusses the controversy surrounding the most widely known and quoted controlled drinking trial at the time.

In addition to the revised content, Controlled Drinking offers a wealth of other valuable information that supports the authors' conclusions. While the Sobell affair may have generated controversy, the book's comprehensive analysis and thoughtful recommendations remain relevant and valuable to the field of alcoholism treatment.

Overall, Controlled Drinking is a seminal work in the field of alcohol research, providing a comprehensive and insightful examination of controlled drinking as a treatment approach for alcoholism. Its revised edition, with the inclusion of the Sobell postscript, enhances its usefulness for student and professional readers, contributing to our understanding of this complex and important topic.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032600604