Ken Barrie considers alcohol use and problems in a contemporary context, in the UK, taking account of mounting concerns about health and antisocial behaviour in the early years of the 21st century. These concerns are set against the decreasing price of alcohol and increasing consumption over the past four decades. The first part of the book establishes the context of alcohol consumption as a driver of health issues, describes the commercial and public policy interests at play and the consequences at individual and societal levels. In the second part policy areas are established ranging from price and availability, advertising, law, licensing, education, offending and drink driving. The final section looks at the professional responses and training needs of those encountering alcohol generated problems in their work and discuses early intervention and treatment programmes. The first comprehensive study of the practice and policy issues surrounding alcohol in the UK to be published for many years, this volume will appeal to those training in public health and social care as well as to the managers and policy makers who are wrestling with alcohol issues.