The International Centre for Alcohol Policies (ICAP), with the support of DrinkWise Australia, launched ‘Expressions of Drunkenness (400 Rabbits)’ in July 2010.

The book is the 10th in a scholarly series on alcohol in society published by ICAP, and provides its readers with an understanding of the historical origins of drunkenness, the biological explanations of intoxication, the language used to define this phenomenon, and modern day drinking patterns.

Understanding why people get drunk, and what triggers this behaviour, helps governments develop best practice policies and better enables industry to adopt best practice approaches.

The book delves into the reasons why people purposefully pursue the ‘pleasure’ of drunkenness, and how factors such as a lowering of the age at which drinking to excess has become acceptable, potency of drinks and social acceptance of risky drinking behaviour have an impact on levels of drunkenness.

DrinkWise aims to affect generational change in the way all Australians consume alcohol and this book reveals interesting insights into the developments of various drinking cultures and practices.

Free hard copies of this report are available on request via info@drinkwise.org.au.