The third edition of this successful Facts title was authored by the late Dr Donald W. Goodwin, who wrote with a unique and engaging style defining alcoholism in very human terms. Although much of Dr Goodwin's assessments of alcoholism still hold true today, a great deal of progress has been made in the quest to better understand the underlying causes of the disease. This fourth edition, written by a group of Dr Goodwin's former colleagues, whilst retaining much of Dr Goodwin's original material, offering his unique perspective on alcoholism. The new edition includes updated information about the effects of alcohol consumption on the body, a new section on the particular sensitivity of women to the effects of drinking, and information and advice relating to the consequences of alcohol abuse for the abusers, their families and society.

Alcoholism: The Facts, fourth edition, is an engaging but authoritative analysis of the devastating effects of the disease. New material to this edition provides up-to-date information on the effects of alcohol consumption on the body and the particular sensitivity of women to the effects of drinking.

...recommended to anyone who has concerns about their own or someone else's drinking, who wants to understand what is going on...a resource that teases out some of the complexities of alcohol use in society and of alcohol dependence...[and] the often conflicting issues around definition, aetiology and treatment.