Room for experimentation in alcohol abuse (3)
I believe the answer is:
lab
'room for experimentation' is the definition.
'in alcohol abuse' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates a hidden word.
'LAB' can be found hidden inside 'alcohol abuse'.
(Other definitions for lab that I've seen before include "SECOND PART OF 15" , "In brief, a room for scientific experiments" , "Experimental facility" , "Science room" , "Socialist" .)