Alcohol is the most widely used drug in the United States, surpassing even tobacco
( NIAAA 1990). Approximately two thirds of the entire population over the age of
18 consumes some form of alcoholic beverage ( Hartford and Parker 1985). The vast
majority of these individuals are "social drinkers." They seem to suffer no ill effects
as a consequence of their drinking, nor do they have any problems discontinuing the
use of alcohol. In fact, they may derive a great deal of enjoyment from sharing a
drink at parties, weddings, and other celebrations, having a cocktail with friends or
business associates, stopping to grab a six-pack after a hard day's work, or drinking
a bottle of fine wine with an intimate friend at dinner.

Alcohol is everywhere. It is readily available at liquor, convenience and grocery
stores, baseball parks, football stadiums, basketball games, golf courses, restaurants,
clubs, bars, and many other places. It can be acquired if you have the money and an
identification card that proves you are over the required legal age. It is an integral
part of entertainment for a large segment of the population and, as long as it is used
in the appropriate manner, it usually enjoys general acceptance. As the attempt at
prohibition in this country demonstrated, many consider the use of alcohol to be as
much an inalienable right as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Some people are introduced to alcohol use by their parents or relatives. Others,
whose parents would never dream of putting a drink in front of their adolescent, and
sometimes younger children, share their first drinking experiment with friends "just
to see what it's like." Very few young people in the country escape at least one such
experiment. In a 1988 survey, 92 percent of high school seniors were found to have
tried alcohol and approximately two thirds described themselves as current drinkers.
Half of those who claimed to be current drinkers characterized themselves as heavy
drinkers ( Johnston et al. 1988) despite the recent development of new attitudes
and beliefs that reflect greater awareness of the hazards of alcohol use.

Most Americans begin to learn about alcohol very early in life. Children of

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