Citation

Tolmie J. Mod. Law Rev. 2001; 64(5): 688-709.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, Modern Law Review Limited, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1468-2230.00346

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Having examined the question of whether alcoholism should be regarded as a disease or habitual and learned behaviour, the article assesses from a comparative law perspective the effect of alcoholism as a defence to criminal responsibility. The article proposes a ‘disease’ model of alcoholism for the purpose of criminal law, and criticises its handling through the law of diminished responsibility.