title: Alcohol use and cultural change in an indigenous population: a case study from Venezuela.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the historical and cultural context of problem drinking in a Latin American indigenous population and identify possible areas for intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus group discussions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported that prior to 1945, binge drinking and fighting were part of cultural festivals held several times each year. Alcohol was brewed in limited quantities by specially qualified individuals. Limited family violence and injuries resulted. Increasing contact with Western civilization resulted in year-round access to large supplies of commercial alcohol and exposure to alcohol-misusing role models. Increased heavy drinking and decreases in subsistence farming resulted in escalation of problems, including hunger, serious injury, family violence, divorce and legal problems. Communities are beginning to regain control by prohibiting sale of alcohol in villages, sponsoring alcohol-free celebrations, and increasing involvement in religious activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though alcohol may cause devastating consequences in cultures in transition, studies of community responses may identify useful strategies for reducing alcohol-related harm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine and Medical Center of Central Georgia, Macon, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: J Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Seale
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shellenberger
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Josiah D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Seale
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alvarado
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology