Acculturation happens when a group of people must alter or modify their own cultural norms in order to fit in with the encompassing, dominant culture. There is usually a reciprocity involved in this process, though normally the new culture is forced to give up or deliberately abandon many of its original practices in order to fit into the dominant culture. Unfortunately, alcohol abuse often occurs when the group trying to acculturate feels oppressed or is experiencing difficulties with acculturation.
Significance
Stress often accompanies the process of acculturation. For example, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the stress of immigration and acculturation in the United States has led to the high rate of alcoholism among Latinos and Latinas. Additionally, the Institute noted that there is a larger density of liquor stores in segregated minority neighborhoods.
Statistics
Acculturating minorities who suffer from alcoholism suffer a disparity in how and when they receive care. A study published in 2001 in the "American Journal of Psychiatry" found that follow-up care rates for minorities who suffered from some form of addiction were very low, and that more than a quarter of African Americans who needed it had no access to alcoholism care -- or any other form of mental health care -- compared to 12 percent of Caucasians. Hispanics received delayed care -- 22.7 percent versus 10.7 percent for Caucasians. In total, Caucasians received more treatment for alcohol, drug or mental health than either Hispanics or African Americans, at 37.6 percent versus 22.4 and 25.0 percent, respectively.
Theories/Speculation
Some reasons put forward as to why there is a link between acculturation and alcoholism have to do with how individuals react to the confrontation between accustomed principles and those of the prevailing culture. Another study, published in 2007 in "Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research," found that among Mexicans along the Texas-Mexico border, acculturation had different effects on men and women -- Hispanic women appeared to drink more as they became more acculturated. Additionally, the study noted that there was no clear, direct link between acculturation and alcoholism.
American Indians/Alaska Natives
According to statistics obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cirrhosis of the liver -- usually caused by heavy drinking -- is number five on the list of the top 10 causes of death among American Indians/Alaska Natives. In fact, American Indians/Alaska Natives have the most extreme percentage of death rates from chronic liver disease and cirrhosis -- 22.6 per 100,000. Though Indian people were acculturated by force, they retain a distinctive relationship with the United States government in that they are sovereign nations.
Prevention/Solution
Ways to treat the destructive effects of alcohol often come from their own traditions. One organization that uses traditional means to assist alcoholics is White Bison, Inc., a nonprofit organization out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, that uses the teachings of Native elders and Native principles to help alcoholics recover. They believe that healing comes from inside the individual, the family and communities. Don Coyhis, of Mohican Nation, is the founder and president of White Bison, Inc. According to Coyhis, "Inside us we all know how to find our own well-being and how to be a well human being. We inherently know what to do and what we are, but we have to make choices so we can actually express that and be that in our lives."
References
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Alcohol Alert
- "American Journal of Psychiatry": Ethnic Disparities in Unmet Need for Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Care
- "Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research": Acculturation, Drinking, and Alcohol Abuse and Dependence Among Hispanics in the Texas--Mexico Border
- White Bison: White Bison's Philosophy
