Doctors frequently come into contact with problems arising from alcohol abuse and such direct exposure would be expected to make them highly aware of such circumstances. A total of 224 medical practitioners (173 men and 51 women) were studied. The questionnaire contained 124 items pertaining to socioprofessional and demographic information, opinions and attitudes. In our study 5.91% of those doctors questioned did not consider alcohol a drug. When faced with an alcoholic in the family or in the home, 45.53% said they would seek medical help for the person involved, while 40.17% responded that they would prefer to go to an alcoholics' or ex-alcoholics' association. The number of years in practice was related, together with age, to variables of attitude. Older practitioners with longer practices were less knowledgeable about alcoholism and ascribed less importance to an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.