Millions of people struggle each Day of their lives to alleviate pain, loneliness, insecurity, fear and sense of not belonging. Many of them seek solace in the bottle, some of them compulsively and with a regularity that is harmful of themselves physically, psychologically and spiritually. Others do so less often and with greater control but with many of the same side effects. These "normal" alcoholics function relatively well and do not manifest the blatant symptoms of alcoholism but they are nevertheless in trouble and will, over time, suffer the consequences of their drinking. The unfortunate thing is that, in contrast to more dysfunctionnal expressions of alcoholism, little has been written about the meaning and treatment of more functionnal and normal modes of alcoholism. This book seeks to remedy that situation by addressing such question as: What is alcoholism? What is normality? How is it similar to and different from abnormal alcoholism? Can it lead to more debilitating forms of alcoholim? How does it impact on self and others? Why are the consequences of such denial and avoidance? How can you help yourself and others recover from the more ordinary forms of alcoholism?

 William F. Kraft, Ph.D, is Professor of Psychology at Carlow College, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.