I have been invited to speak at the New Directions in the Study of Alcohol conference being held in Weston-super-Mare, UK. The New Directions in the Study of Alcohol Group is concerned with the use and abuse of alcohol in society, and the treatment of people with alcohol-related problems. Its aim is to promote a better understanding of these topics. The Group is mainly a forum for debate; where anybody concerned with helping people with drinking problems is encouraged to exc