AllMovie

This documentary, part of the 20th Century With Mike Wallace series from CBS News and the History Channel, explores the world of alcohol abuse and how it has effected America and Americans throughout history. Narrated by series host and CBS News correspondent Mike Wallace, this episode heads back to the time of Prohibition and shortly after its repeal to study the beginnings of alcoholism. As the problem of abusing alcohol created more and more disruption in this country, the treatment program Alcoholics Anonymous was founded in 1935. AA soon became the most successful program of its kind. Mike Wallace and other CBS reporters interview both former alcoholics who talk about the effect of their drinking on themselves and their families. Law enforcement professionals and sociologists also talk about the repercussions of alcoholism, including drunk driving fatalities.