Under The Microscope

OUR SHOUT, WOMEN AND ALCOHOL, by Warren, Griffiths and Huygens; Heinemann Reed 1989; 166 pages; $19.95

This book looks at what makes women drink, what happens to women drinkers, and offers some very practical, pragmatic ways in which they can modify their drinking behaviour.

It's written in a clear and straight-forward fashion without descending into psycho-babble. Much of the personal self-analysis techniques suggested are easy to relate to and provide an important means of assessing one's situation. A variety of issues are addressed, including identifying drinking patterns, common strategies used to hide alcohol abuse, and ways of dealing with it.

Presumably, by the time a woman alcoholic picks this book up, she's already acknowledged that drink is a part of her life. The examples, analysis and suggestions will hit fertile ground. One startling figure from the book is that a third of New Zealand's female heavy drinkers have professional or semi-professional jobs.

I imagine that it will be these women who will benefit the most from this book, although the authors have attempted to provide a broad range of input. Presumably, people working with women alcohol abusers will also find this book useful, although much of it will be old material to them.

The question is, will this book reach those who don't necessarily identify themselves as having a drinking problem? And what will it do for those who would not think to look for help from a book? It would be a shame if these women missed out on the valuable advice and support contained in "Our Shout," as it could go a long way towards addressing the increasing alcohol abuse in this country.

Vicki Hyde