Contributions of social science to the alcohol field in an era of biomedicalization

In an era of biomedicalization where findings in genetic and neurobiological research are seen as “breakthroughs” by the media and hence by the general public, it is important for social scientists to acknowledge the effect of their contributions to the alcohol field not only to their own colleagues but also to the public at-large. Contributions of social science research to the development and evaluation of alcohol policies are illustrated in the following four areas: (1) alcohol epidemiological research focusing on the importance of examining drinking patterns and their relation to alcohol-related problems; (2) alcohol's contribution to the burden of disease; (3) alcohol control policies and their impact; and (4) brief interventions that provide strategies for at-risk drinkers as well as those who are alcohol dependent.