Alcohol has played a major part in British life for centuries. It has led do the rise and fall of governments, financed wars, provoked civil disorder and even acts of terrorism. In this book, two of the leading authorities on alcohol and its problems take a look at the UK and its alcohol addiction.About the Author: Martin Plant, a social scientist, is Professor of Addiction Studies in the University of the West of England, Bristol. He is also Director of the Alcohol & Health Research Trust, a charity. His publications include the books Drugtakers in an English Town, Drugs in Perspective, Risktakers: Alcohol, Drugs, Sex and Youth, Alcohol: Minimising the Harm and the Alcohol Report. His work has focused on social, behavioural and policy aspects of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs as well as HIV/AIDS and risk taking behaviours. He is Director of the UK part of the 35 country European School SurveyProject on Alcohol & other Drugs (ESPAD). Martin Plant is a frequent broadcaster and has served as a consultant to the World Health Organization. He has organised many scientific meetings related to alcohol, drugs and other topics. Moira Plant, a social scientist, is Professor of Alcohol Studies in the University of the West of England, Bristol. She is also Director of the Alcohol & Health Research Trust, a charity. Her publications include the books Women, Drinking and Pregnancy, Risktakers: Alcohol, Drugs, Sex and Youthand Women and Alcohol: Contemporary and Historical Perspectives. She has a longstanding interesting issues related to alcohol and gender and the effects of maternal drinking during pregnancy. She chaired the working group on drinking and pregnancy of the International Life Sciences Institute. Sheis Director of the UK and Isle of Man components of Gender, Alcohol & Culture: an International Study (GENACIS). The latter includes over 30 countries. Moira was recently President of the international Kettil Bruun Society for Social & Epidemiological Research on Alcohol. She is a frequentbroadcaster and has served as a temporary advisor to the World Health Organization.