There is evidence of a large increase in the number of American women who drink, but there is little evidence that the incidence of alcoholism among women has increased dramatically in the last several decades. Ideas pre sented by various investigators about the alcoholic woman are summarized. A recent study by the writer indicates that women alcoholics vary greatly in degree of social integration. Two groups of women alcoholics—those attend ing a voluntary outpatient clinic and those committed to a penal institution— proved to be different in several measures of socioeconomic background and so cial class, some aspects of marital disruption, and some aspects of drinking pattern.