Alcohol abuse and dependence is the result of multiple risk factors. Although this article focuses primarily on workplace risk factors, it discusses them within a framework of biological, psychological, familial, social class and sociocultural risks, and argues that a comprehensive explanation of alcohol problems must encompass all of these factors. In addition, the article argues that by constructing drinking norms, especially within the context of the workplace, these risks may be contained and reduced. Consequently, the article also reviews data on the workplace strategy of constructive confrontation and calls for research on similar interventions for containing risks from outside the workplace.