Cure, Care, or Control

Reviews / Votes

"This particularly interesting and useful work, which takes full account of the views of specialists in the alcohol treatment field, is based on a knowledge of actual conditions in sixteen countries, and describes the many different ways in which these countries are tackling the over-consumption and abuse of alcohol. Beyond the diversity of approaches, what stands out is the determining influence of the sociocultural environment in which alcohol abuse occurs." -- Michael Lucas, Chef de l'Inspection Generale des Affaires Social, France

"The alcohol treatment field has for much too long suffered under the hegemony of narrow and exclusive doctrines in particular jurisdictions. By exposing the many alternatives that are available throughout the world, this volume will help to spell the end of ideology and the beginning of a better considered and more flexible approach to our greatest public health problem.

"In reading this well-crafted and solid volume, one immediately becomes aware of the degree to which working within a particular country tends to make one oblivious of alternative approaches to the provision of treatment. If progress is dependent upon correcting this species of myopia, this book provides the spectacles that are needed.

"Different countries have taken fundamentally different pathways toward the common goal of comprehensive and effective treatment. This fundamental contribution is both an excellent guide to alternative approaches and an indispensable side to planning. No jurisdiction contemplating a reassessment of its treatment efforts should fail to consult it." -- Dr. Frederick B. Glaser, Study Director for "Broadening the Bases of Treatment" and Executive Director, Substance Abuse Center, University of Michigan

"This book is absolutely necessary for anyone who has to manage or plan alcohol treatment facilities. The reader will derive from it cogent arguments for changing existing alcohol policies, as well as compelling grounds for a very critical scrutiny of the alcohol treatment system of one's own country.

"Countries differ in interesting ways in their alcohol treatment systems, but they have also very interesting features in common. This book illustrates clearly the shift that has occurred in many countries in the conceptualization of alcohol problems form a moral issue to a disease model, and now to a complex of socio-psycho-medical issues." -- Dr. J. A. Walburg, Director of the Jellinekcentrum, Instituut voor Alcohol & Drugpreventile, Amsterdam