Emphasis on a relatively new concept of alcoholism?that it is a search rather than escape from reality?has appeared in recent literature. Bell describes alcoholism as "the search for the good life through chemistry."1 An alcoholic has said that "alcoholism and any other addiction is not so much an escape as a search."2 This concept is based commonly on clini cal impressions rather than experimental evidence. The only reference to an empirical investigation of the subject is that of Crumbaugh and Maholick.3 The view of alcoholism as a search instead of an escape has become particularly clear recently to the senior author of this paper. During a period of two years, his participation in an alcoholic rehabilitation pro gram has suggested a number of clinical impressions that seemed to be consistent with this concept. Statements of alcoholics implied such things as (a) their lives reflected an unusual degree of boredom; (b) their early experiences with alcohol brought a kind of "meaning and purpose" into their lives?life was gayer, they were happier, more competent, related more effectively to people; and (c) now, although they recognized the inadequacy of alcoholism as an answer to their "search," they were "hooked." The personal histories of the alcoholics in the program also supported the idea of a "search," albeit an unsuccessful one. For example, most of them had a long series of changes in jobs, locations, marriages, and personal contacts. Though these may be interpreted by others as negative results of alcoholic behavior, the alcoholic himself usually looks upon them as progressions toward the illusively better life, better job, etc.