Precapitalist societies did not experience severe problems with alcoholism as they exist today. However, alcohol educators and researchers have not explicitly investigated the broad parameters associated with alcohol abuse. Instead, they focus on group influences and emphasize individual responsibility to reduce alcohol abuse. However, seeking the causes of alcoholism within the individual diverts attention from the invisible economic, political, and social parameters that promote the lucrative industry of alcohol production and consumption. The causes of alcohol consumption and abuse are availability, commercial promotion, the weakening of social and legal restrictions, and class stratification. Advertising earnings and tax revenue from alcohol consumption are dominant economic motives that overlook the social costs. The remedy has been to treat the victims of alcohol abuse rather than to challenge the strong economic and political incentives that promote alcohol consumption. A more appropriate solution is for economic and political interventions to take precedence over individual education and treatment, making alcohol a highly taxed and less visible and available commodity. Educational institutions can also create environments in which alcohol becomes less important in the lives of students. 24 references (Author abstract modified)