Characteristics of problem drinking in an Urban South American Indigenous population

Paul J. Seale, Sylva Shellenberger, Neila Sanchez, Robert L. Vogel, Elibeth Villalobos, Fred S. Girton, Dana M. Seale, Ike S. Okosun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

This 2002 Medcen Foundation-funded study explored characteristics of problem drinking among 211 urban Venezuelan Native Americans of Arawak origin. Prevalence of problem drinking using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tests was 88.5 among men and 17.3 among women. Periodic binge drinking was marked by loss of control, failure to meet obligations, and alcohol-related trauma. Focus group participants noted that previous occasional binge drinking by men has been replaced by frequent male and female heavy weekend drinking, violence, and death. Limitations and implications are discussed. Awareness of high levels of problem drinking and desire for assistance present compelling mandates for community intervention efforts.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2185-2202
Number of pages18
JournalSubstance Use and Misuse
Volume45
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2010

Keywords

  • AUDIT
  • Latin America
  • Native American
  • alcohol
  • indigenous
  • problem drinking

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