Why We Drink Too Much: The Impact of Alcohol on Our Bodies and Culture

Knowles, a professor of surgery at the Queen Mary University of London, combines in this accessible debut primer an account of his own struggle with alcoholism and a comprehensive analysis of alcohol’s biological and psychological effects. He touches on the motivations for alcohol use, both external—toasts at weddings, after-work camaraderie with colleagues–and internal, like providing a pick-me-up when feeling down, or a jolt of “Dutch courage” (a term dating to the 17th century when soldiers heading to the front lines were given a shot of gin). Knowles unpacks how alcohol hijacks the brain’s internal reward systems while damaging individual and collective well-being—aside from being a risk factor for a long list of diseases and mental health issues, alcohol misuse is estimated to cost the public $250 billion a year in healthcare, crime, and lost economic productivity. The most resonant sections delve into how Knowles’s alcoholism strained his marriage, rendered him incapable of caring for his kids, and caused suicidal ideation before he committed to recovery nearly 10 years ago. These passages provide an effective frame through which he unpacks the genetic, environmental, and psychological factors that contribute to addiction and counters myths that alcoholism results from moral weakness or lack of willpower. Readers who are considering reevaluating their relationship with alcohol should take a look. (Jan.)