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Sample surveys ofthe population ofthe same London suburb, conducted in 1965 and, were studied to trace changes in drinking habits. Over the nine year period, per capita consumption increased 47 %, but there was no change in the proportion of abstainers, and the drinking population did not drink any morefrequently in 1974 than they had in 1965. The increase in mean consumption was due largely to a 56 % increase in average drinking day consumption. Drinking on weekdays became as frequent and as heavy as weekend drinking had been in 1965, and there was also a general shift towards drinking more at home.The populations were categorised into 18 demographic sub-groups on the basis of age, sex and occupational status. Each group followed the main trend in overall consumption, except for changes in the types of beverage consumed. Relative differences between the drinking habits of the sexes and the age groups remained fairly consistent, but the frequency of drinking and the beverage choice of the lower status group moved closer towards that of the upper status group.Changes in drinking habits within the suburb which did not replicate national changes were related to factors peculiar to the suburb's population, but a consideration ofthe validity of sample data concluded that such longitudinal surveys could produce valid and reliable data on changes in overall drinking habits.

Clients' experiences of routine alcohol assessment interviews at a therapeutic day unit were studied in order to enhance understanding of the factors associated with subsequent engagement in treatment. The paper describes the development and use of the Client's Experiences and Satisfaction Questionnaire. The main finding from its use with 131 clients, was a positive association between the client's perceptions of the quality of the therapeutic relationship established during the interview, and subsequent engagement in treatment. Large differences were found between the engagement rates of different workers. Clients who were being referred for the first time and those with a SADQ score below 30 were less likely to engage. The findings are augmented with quotes from the clients themselves.

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