Description

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"In a useful entry in the growing canon of 'quit lit,' Charles Knowles blends science and memoir to persuade readers to cut down on alcohol." —New York Times Book Review

We drink it, celebrate with it, and barely question it—but what is alcohol really doing to us?

Drinking alcohol can be fun; its chemical effects on our brain are fundamentally pleasurable, and it can have social benefits. Alcohol may also help us forget the worries in our lives and temporarily overcome psychological barriers to human interaction.

But there are downsides. We now know that alcohol, even in quite modest amounts, is not good for our long-term health. So why do we, as humans, consume alcohol at all, and why does our tendency to drink “too much” vary from person to person?

Pairing scientific expertise with his personal experiences, Dr. Charles Knowles offers us an accessible window into what really happens in our brains and bodies when we drink, and why we do it. People vary greatly in the amount of reward they derive from alcohol, both physically and mentally. It’s in the genes that we were born with and the environment in which we grew up. For some of us, alcohol is greatly enhancing; for others, it is not much fun at all.

For the sober curious, those who may need help, and also readers just interested in a popular science book on what happens when we sip a glass of wine, Why We Drink Too Much teaches readers the science behind drinking and invites us to examine our relationship with alcohol.

About the Author

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Dr. Charles Knowles, MA, PhD, FRCS, FASCRS, is Professor of Surgery at Queen Mary University of London. Qualifying as a doctor from the University of Cambridge, he continues to practice as a consultant colorectal surgeon. Knowles has authored more than three hundred peer-reviewed publications and contributed to several major international surgical textbooks. Why We Drink Too Much is his first popular science book with his own journey providing the impetus to explore a subject that almost cost him his life. He now champions the idea that problematic drinking is not a problem of weak will or low moral integrity and believes that the term alcoholic should no longer be seen as a dirty word that can be revealed only anonymously.

Praise For…

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"In a useful entry in the growing canon of 'quit lit,' Charles Knowles blends science and memoir to persuade readers to cut down on alcohol."
—The New York Times Book Review

"This book is illuminating, fascinating and beautifully written. If you’ve ever had an issue with drink and asked yourself ‘why me?’ then this book is for you."
—Clare Pooley, best-selling author of The Sober Diaries and The Authenticity Project

"Written by a surgeon and academic, there can be no finer accolade in understanding Why We Drink Too Much than a work that fuses clinical insight with human vulnerability. The true gift, however, lies in the author’s candid sharing of his own drinking story - an experience that was not only addictive but ultimately became deeply problematic. As a recovering alcoholic myself, I can identify with what it takes to recover, just as the author describes his own journey of recovery with honesty, humility and hard-won insight. It is this combination of professional knowledge and personal honesty that makes the book both compelling and compassionate."
—Jackie Malton, author, TV script consultant and former senior police officer

"Why We Drink Too Much is a compelling and fascinating exploration of why we drink—and why some of us can’t stop. The author lays bare his soul in a raw, honest account of his struggles with alcohol, interwoven with world-class scientific insight into the brain, genetics, and the powerful pull of this drug. A must-read for anyone, especially those seeking to understand the hidden forces that drive us to drink too much."
—Dr. Andrew Jenkinson, author of Why We Eat (Too Much)

"The book digs deep into the relationship with our favorite mind-altering chemical and offers a robust, thorough examination of how alcohol seeped into our lives and the many ways it endangers them. A comprehensive look at the human relationship with alcohol, at a time when many are beginning to question it."
—Kirkus

"The most resonant sections... provide an effective frame through which he unpacks the genetic, environmental, and psychological factors that contribute to addiction and counters myths that alcoholism results from moral weakness or lack of willpower. Readers who are considering reevaluating their relationship with alcohol should take a look."
—Publishers Weekly

"His wide-ranging, informative and accessible book explores the many reasons - psychosocial as well as biological - behind our favorite social lubricant's insidious hold. Interweaving personal stories and scientific research, it's a fascinating read."
—People