Drinking alcohol can be immensely pleasurable and life-enhancing. On the other hand, it can be associated with danger and risk. This book explores some of the implications of this dichotomy, which creates many policy and practice dilemmas, by a detailed exploration of the place of drinking in women's lives. Interviews and case-studies show women's drinking practices to be constructive and autonomous responses to the social and material contexts of their lives.

JAN WATERSON is a Lecturer in the Department of Social Policy and Social Work at the University of Birmingham. She has a practice background in social work and the health service.

List of Tables List of Figures Foreword by Elizabeth Ettorre Acknowledgements Introduction: Have a Drink What Encourages Women to Drink? Women Account for Drinking Differences Drinking Careers Occupational Hazards Social Circles Bottling It Up Satisfaction or Solace: Two Case Studies Preventing Alcohol Related Harms Promoting Fair Shares for All References Index