There is extensive evidence that the consumption of alcoholic beverages
has occurred in most societies throughout the world and has probably occurred
since the Paleolithic Age and certainly since the Neolithic Age (Knupfer,
1960). The records of all ancient civilizations refer to the use of alcoholic
beverages. Such accounts are found on Egyptian carvings, Hebrew script,
and Babylonian tablets (Patrick, 1952). The Code of Hammurabi (cir 2225
B.C.) devoted several sections to problems created by the abuse of alcohol
and in China, laws that forbade making wine were enacted and repealed forty-one
times between 1100 B.C. and 1400 A.D. (Alcoholism and Drug Research Foundation
of Ontario, 1961). These and other sources of evidence indicate that concern
over alcohol use and abuse are not unique to present societies.
