Alcoholism in Australia, the 1880s to the 1980s: from medical science to political science

Abstract

The disease concept of alcoholism has been central to the response to alcohol-related problems in Australia. The history of alcoholism from colonial times to the present is discussed with reference to alcohol consumption, legislative action, inquiries by medical and other bodies, and services especially treatment services provided by government and non-government organisations. In the 1980s the position of the disease concept perspective has been declining while a wider politico-economic perspective has become established.

Medicalizing the Detention of Aboriginal People in the Northern Territory: A New/Old Regime of Control?

“…In the United Kingdom at least, class and gender served to identify problem drinkers (Valverde, 1997: 265). These ‘inebriates’ laws arose as temperance movements gained strength, and alcohol was seen as the source of poverty, crime, and deviance (Lewis, 1988: 392). Early laws licensed ‘retreats’ where the afflicted could be treated but Britain introduced its first Inebriates Act in 1898.…”

“…Early laws licensed ‘retreats’ where the afflicted could be treated but Britain introduced its first Inebriates Act in 1898. The British law provided for compulsory treatment where a person pleaded guilty to drunkenness or was convicted four times (Lewis, 1988: 394). Similar laws were passed by the Australian colonies and states from the 1890s onward.…”

“…The focus of these early laws was on removing people showing signs of alcoholism to retreats or treatment facilities at the initiation of police or family members, with an emphasis on those who were posing a public disturbance (Carney, 2006: 347). There was a welfarist motive too, to provide treatment in retreats rather than punishing inebriates in the criminal justice system, with addiction increasingly seen as a disease to be treated (Lewis, 1988: 395). Garland (1981: 43) depicts this as the state rescuing its subjects from poverty and crime.…”

“…Garland (1981: 43) depicts this as the state rescuing its subjects from poverty and crime. Despite early enthusiasm for treatments such as hypnotherapy (Lewis, 1988: 395), detention and compulsory treatment of addicts declined internationally and in Australia from the early 20th century (Hall et al, 2012: 1891; Johnstone, 1996). An explanation for this was apparent ineffectiveness, with ‘cures’ difficult to obtain (Lewis, 1988: 396).…”

“…Despite early enthusiasm for treatments such as hypnotherapy (Lewis, 1988: 395), detention and compulsory treatment of addicts declined internationally and in Australia from the early 20th century (Hall et al, 2012: 1891; Johnstone, 1996). An explanation for this was apparent ineffectiveness, with ‘cures’ difficult to obtain (Lewis, 1988: 396). Facilities were often dubious, with some provided by the nongovernment sector, especially churches, or by the state in former prisons (Lewis, 1988: 396).…”