Intoxication

“Highly readable and bursting with insight, this excellent book provides a comprehensive exploration of the key issues relating to intoxication and how it is regulated. It helpfully draws together research relating to drugs and alcohol across a wide and illuminating range of contemporary, historical and international perspectives. Both a map of the field and an irresistible invitation to further explore its fascinating landscape, this book informs and inspires in equal measure.” - Professor Henry Yeomans, University of Leeds, UK

What comes to mind when you read the word ‘intoxication’? What behaviour do you associate with the word ‘drunk’? When you hear the word ‘drug’ or ‘addict’, what images do you recall? 


This textbook provides an essential grounding in debates about intoxication in contemporary society, from social and cultural perspectives. It examines intoxication as including both legal and illegal substances and both culturally accepted and socially stigmatised practices. Given the pace of recent changes – from the legalisation of cannabis, to the trend of sobriety amongst adolescents and young adults – this book stands out by offering both a thorough historical and theoretical overview and a topical and forward looking exploration of current debates. It adopts a multi-scale approach to examine wider patterns of change and considers the subjective experiences of intoxication for diverse individuals and groups. The authors play particular attention to state justifications for interventions based on moral, health and criminal justice discourses and also considers the role played by the mass media and alcohol industry in propagating or challenging accepted understandings of intoxication. It speaks to undergraduates, master's students and above, with a range of pedagogic features, and offers insights into policy and practice. 


Thomas Thurnell-Read is Senior Lecturer in Sociology in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at Loughborough University, UK. 

Mark Monaghan is Reader in Criminology in the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at Loughborough University, UK.