Lesbian Alcoholism: Development of a Construct

Abstract

This article reviews the development of concern for lesbian alcohol problems. It draws on social constructionism as a theoretical backdrop to describe lesbian alcoholism as the intersection of the construction of several other categories: lesbians, the alcoholism movement, women alcoholics, and gay alcoholics. It is unclear how well Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs, popular in both the mainstream and lesbian communities, meet the needs of women. The utility and political implications for lesbians of such programs as AA and the forms that alcohol intervention for lesbians should take are questioned. A possible trend away from use of 12-step programs is reviewed.