TY - JOUR
T1 - Just say 'no'?
T2 - Alcohol and people with learning difficulties
AU - Simpson, Murray. K.
N1 - Copyright 2004 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam. All rights reserved.
PY - 1998/1/1
Y1 - 1998/1/1
N2 - This paper analyses critically the scant literature which exists on the role of alcohol in the lives of people with learning difficulties. Though the research evidence is largely insecure, it does seem relatively clear that people with learning difficulties drink considerably less and abstain in higher numbers than the general population. In spite of this, the literature is predominantly characterised by a focus on the potential dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. In contrast, the possibility that a great many people with learning difficulties may have their access to alcohol debarred is not considered to be a problem requiring attention. It is argued that this is based on a failure to appreciate the cultural significance of alcohol for most people, and that the discourse on learning difficulties is being underpinned by a concern with physical, but not cultural access.
AB - This paper analyses critically the scant literature which exists on the role of alcohol in the lives of people with learning difficulties. Though the research evidence is largely insecure, it does seem relatively clear that people with learning difficulties drink considerably less and abstain in higher numbers than the general population. In spite of this, the literature is predominantly characterised by a focus on the potential dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. In contrast, the possibility that a great many people with learning difficulties may have their access to alcohol debarred is not considered to be a problem requiring attention. It is argued that this is based on a failure to appreciate the cultural significance of alcohol for most people, and that the discourse on learning difficulties is being underpinned by a concern with physical, but not cultural access.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0032382792&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09687599826597
DO - 10.1080/09687599826597
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0032382792
VL - 13
SP - 541
EP - 555
JO - Disability & Society
JF - Disability & Society
SN - 0968-7599
IS - 4
ER -