Is chocolate addictive? How did we come to rely on it? The emphasis of this encyclopedia, a revised and expanded edition of Alcohol and Temperance in Modern History: An Encyclopedia published in 2003, is the history of the substances that bring both pleasure and tragedy. The scope of this encyclopedia is much broader than other encyclopedias of substance abuse, including things such as energy drinks and intriguingly, the people associated with drugs such as Aldous Huxley. Contributors include academics and practitioners, as well as members of advocacy groups such as Mothers against Drunk Drivers. Entries are arranged alphabetically.
The emphasis is history, so the entry for chocolate starts from pre-Columbian times and traces its use from the Aztecs through its popularity and US$18 billion sales in the modern day USA. The entry includes its medicinal properties, such as the antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids that have beneficial properties for the users. The entry is followed by a bibliography. Entries can be emailed, printed, cited (in APA, Chicago, MLA or Harvard) or saved as a persistent link. A link at the top of each entry makes it easy for the user to go to the American Heritage Dictionary and look up an unfamiliar term.
Substance use in countries and regions are outlined. The entry on Mexico was particularly thorough, discussing why fruit drinks are popular alcoholic beverages and the pre-Columbian history of a drink called pulque which figured in religious ceremonies in older times. This entry also discussed why it is socially acceptable for men to be drunk but prohibited for females. The entry usefully includes the frequency with which male inebriation is associated with domestic violence. This was not consistent across the entries for alcohol consumption in different countries.
Many organizations are described, including Mothers against Drunk Driving, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Women’s Christian Temperance Union (both USA and Canada) and the Christopher D. Smithers Foundation, amongst many others. The history of treatment for addiction, starting in the 1800s, is covered, as well as the history of specific treatment centres such as Hazeldon, which has treated more than 200,000 clients.
The biographies of people associated with alcohol and drugs are treated as well. Aldous Huxley, known for his experiments with peyote and LSD, is treated, along with many others, such as David Musto, historian of drug use in America, Hunter S. Thompson, gonzo journalist and psychedelic enthusiast, as well as lots of pioneers of temperance movements and treatment modalities.
This two-volume encyclopedia belongs in every collection to inform history, sociology and substance abuse students and faculty.
