This article reviews the development of concern for lesbian alcohol
problems. It draws on social constructionism as a theoretical backdrop
to describe lesbian alcoholism as the intersection of the construction
of several other categories: lesbians, the alcoholism movement, women
alcoholics, and gay alcoholics. It is unclear how well Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other 12-step programs, popular in both the mainstream and lesbian communities, meet the needs of women. The utility
and political implications for lesbians of such programs as AA and the
forms that alcohol intervention for lesbians should take are questioned.
A possible trend away from use of 12-step programs is reviewed.
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