In the book's Introduction, I stated that the issues regarding alcohol ‘misuse’ could only be understood with reference to social and environmental factors. In the book, we have seen this perspective develop, through a questioning and refining of terms, and through reference to alternative understandings of the meaning of alcohol use, to suggested policies for addressing women's alcohol use that are consistent with political and feminist understandings. The perspective is tellingly phrased in Chapter Five by Galvani with Toft: ‘The job of the professionals is to work to ensure an approach that avoids further victimising and blaming while at the same time provides an empowering, empathic and informed response with safety at its core.’

Support with alcohol issues is seen ideally to be provided outside current treatment services, using women-only peer support (Barnes and Ward, Chapter Six; Staddon, Chapter Twelve) and alternative spaces for minority groups (Serrant, Chapter Seven; Moon and Staddon, Chapter Eight). A women-only, survivor-led helpline is strongly recommended (Staddon, Chapter Twelve). Women's groups within an adult community learning framework (Lewis, Chapter Eleven) and a local ‘special space’ for women to be helped with alcohol abstention (Fernandez, Chapter Ten) are also suggested, as is a shift within NHS treatment services, whereby women's alcohol use is understood and treated separately (Bogg with Bogg, Chapter Thirteen).

However, the book is not just about recovery; it is also about the meaning of women's alcohol use to the women themselves and about how public reaction to it has shaped conventional treatment. This public reaction is seen to have an historical dimension, whereby shaming has been used as a device to assist in the social control of women (McErlain, Chapter Two). There are additionally misunderstandings, confusion and misrepresentation as regards both the meaning and the extent of young women's drinking (Blackman et al, Chapter Three; Mackiewicz, Chapter Four) and that of older women (Barnes and Ward, Chapter Six). We have also heard how great the damage and significance of domestic abuse are and its considerable relevance to women's drinking (Galvani, Chapter Five). The misunderstandings that have frequently informed alcohol treatment are particularly illustrated in the way that they affect Black Caribbean women (Serrant, Chapter Seven) and lesbian women (Moon and Staddon, Chapter Eight).