Alcoholism and Ethnicity: A Comparative Study of Alcohol Use Patterns across Ethnic Groups

Abstract

Sociological and alcohol use patterns were studied in American Indian, Black, Hispano and White Anglo groups of alcoholism patients. Sociological variables indicated all groups experienced significant disruption in social and vocational areas, with the American Indian group showing the greatest disruption across the 4 groups in the socioeconomic areas. The 4 groups did not differ as to use of alcohol to enhance self, manage anxiety and depression, or as to sustained or periodic use. American Indians and Hispanos had a greater tendency to drink gregariously, to drink more and to have more disruption in social role functioning. The general trend was that the American Indian group revealed greater social and alcohol symptom disruption than the other 3 groups, supporting a more specialized treatment approach for American Indian alcoholism patients.