Preview

Alcoholism Among Mexican Americans

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
323 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Alcoholism Among Mexican Americans
Among elderly Mexican American, alcoholism is a common thing. Studies indicate that there is a compelling influence of nativity on Hispanic concentration on addiction among women and not men. According to Hatchett (2011), the use of alcohol among Mexican Americans is predominantly common in men compared to women. The drinking behavior among Mexican Americans is estimated at the end of the consumption curve. The meaning of the extremities is that at one end there is a higher percentage of abstainers, mostly women and on the other end are the heavy drinkers.
In a report by "Alcohol and the Hispanic Community"(2015), alcoholism is currently classified among health issues affecting significant proportion of the aged Hispanic population. This

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Jorge Aleman is a 40-year-old Hispanic male. He currently lives in Norfolk, Virginia with his cousin and his family. Mr. Aleman is a diabetic and has hypertension for which he has been prescribed medication. He stated that he often doesn’t take his medication, because he knows it’s bad to mix medicine with alcohol. He also has not attended any follow-ups with his physician for over a year now. He was diagnosed with depression 6 months ago and was referred by his therapist to substance abuse counseling for his ongoing consumption of alcohol. Mr. Aleman lost his job of 10 years because he showed up drunk several times. He has now been working at a construction company for a year and is financially stable. He does not have any legal involvement. His current relationship status is single.…

    • 577 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Counseling members of the Latino culture who reside in the United States comes with many challenges, as family structure, economic, and social factors influence an individual’s ability to cope with his new surroundings. In the case study of Mario, an examination of his US residency and the motivational role his family played in his relocation is crucial in determining his mental state and understanding of support. Latino men are generally hesitant to seek counseling and admit weakness, and the mandate of the court for treatment may even create more resistance in the case of Mario. While treatment goals would include a complete abstinence from addictive substances, deeper success would come with a realization of his coping mechanisms and the environment factors triggering their defenses. Measures success will be found in the increased ability for Mario to self-disclose during treatment, cooperating in native-language journaling, and attendance and voluntary participation in addiction oriented group counseling.…

    • 1762 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Alcohol in Alaska

    • 1576 Words
    • 7 Pages

    There is never a simple solution to the complex problem of alcohol within any ethnicity and this toxic relationship is ever present in many Native American communities. Both governmental agencies and non-for-profit organizations have attempted to establish policies to control and restrict alcohol use and end the cycle of alcohol abuse. Policies targeting a possible tax on alcohol, limited availability, and social factors have been proposed and implemented in order to curb alcohol use. One hypothesis stated that taxation or higher prices of alcohol may discourage and reduce problem drinking. This economic regulation of…

    • 1576 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    "National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism." Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2014. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 21 May 2014.…

    • 1035 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Native Americans in the United States have historically had extreme difficulty with the use of alcohol. Many believe that Native Americas drink so much because f how hard life is on the reservation. They have delt with a lot of trouble and trauma since there lands where taken away from them and they where killed. Also it runs in there families and it effects all the generations. "A study has shown the Native Americas, who have a high rate of alcoholism, do not have protective genes. a mutation of the gene for the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, which plays a major role in metabolizing alcohol.…

    • 104 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Alcohol abuse is rampant among the two groups with studies showing that at the age of twelve, 21% of teenagers in the minority groups are more likely to have experimented with drugs as compared to less than 10% of the teenagers in the general US population (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). 20% of the adults in the two minority groups require rehabilitation from drug and substance abuse, which is higher than all the other groups in America. A study done between 2002 and 2005 also shows that the use of hard drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and crystal meth were higher among these groups than in the other population in the United States (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2011). Drug abuse among these minority groups makes them more vulnerable to various diseases and health…

    • 1135 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Emerging Adults

    • 2008 Words
    • 9 Pages

    It has come to the attention of the Chicago Department of Public Health that there is a concerning health risk among emerging adults (18-30) in the state of Illinois. The health risk in particular is the use of alcohol. Over indulgence in alcohol results in injures, car accidents, and domestic abuse. These behaviors are toxic to the individual and society which is why this issue must be addressed and reduced. As adults transition from adolescence they are given new forms of freedom and independence, which can have costly effects on their health. According to Health, United States (2008), “about 6%–8% of young men and 3%–5% of young women reporting heavy drinking. Heavy drinking is defined as more than 14 drinks per week for men and more than…

    • 2008 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Native American Alcoholism

    • 1202 Words
    • 5 Pages

    There are 5.2 million Native Americans in the United States. 1 in 10 of those Native Americans die for alcohol-related reasons. Alcoholism spreads like the plague. Because of this, it can be hard for children on the reservations to find positive role models. Which can be why many Native Americans grow up to be alcoholics as well. “Life is a constant struggle between being an individual and being a member of the community” -Sherman Alexie. This quote means that it’s always a balance between being part of your community and doing what is favorable for you. Or by doing what's valuable for your future. To be successful in life, you need to surround yourself with positive influences.…

    • 1202 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Mexican Alcoholism

    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The literature review shows that a large percentage of elderly Mexican Americans drink alcohol, which has become one of the social and health issues. The prevalence and incidence of social and medical problems associated with excess consumption of alcohol among this population should be controlled and measures put in place to curb the practice. Alcohol consumption among Mexican Americans is a variable phenomenon in which women and men show different variations in the consumptions. However, the limitation of the articles reviewed is poorly described methods for data collection and a small study…

    • 565 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Recent reports reveal that the leading causes of disease among Hispanics are cancer, hypertension, and heart disease, , with the leading causes of death of cancer following heart disease, and unintentional injuries. Hispanics face major health risks such as obesity, teen pregnancy, and tobacco use, among others. According to the CDC, Hispanics are about 50% more likely to die from diabetes and chronic liver disease than their non-Hispanic counterparts. Hispanics common chronic conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Hispanics biological risk factors for chronic disease, include high lipid levels and obesity.…

    • 134 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Legal Drinking Age

    • 1088 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The legal drinking age has been a huge controversial issue for an extremely long time (Meldon). Some people say the legal drinking age should be left alone at age 21. Others believe it should be lowered to age 18; the age when someone is considered an adult and given many responsibilities (ProCon.org). I believe the legal drinking age should be kept at age 21.…

    • 1088 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Reports states that more than one substance may be used by seniors, alcohol seems to be the primary substance. A recent report estimates that 4.4 million older adults (over age 50) will be in need of substance abuse treatment by the year 2020. The study also states almost a 50% increase from 1988 to 1997 in the number of alcohol related hospitalizations among older people 6. Emergency room visits shows a 58% increase in alcohol mentions for patients 55 or older. (TEDS, June, 07, 2004)…

    • 1698 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Alcoholism has been demonstrated as the leading addiction in the United States. One of the assumptions can be the availability of the substance. Typically, men have been shown to form addition more than women. Additionally, alcohol addiction has typically been associated with the disease and moral model of treatment. Discussions regarding if alcohol is a disease that a person is born with or is it a personal choice they make.…

    • 309 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Alcoholism is a disease which, in many cases, appears to be a genetically transmitted biochemical defect. However, in other instances, it appears to be caused by overwhelming bombardment of the physiology of the body by repeated episodes of heavy drinking resulting in the incapacity to handle alcohol normally. Psychological and/or social pressures may aggravate the disease. It is characterized by a typical progression of drinking behavior that requires an average of twelve and one-half years of drinking to reach fully developed, overt symptoms and an average of eighteen years to reach the stage of deterioration. It is seen most frequently in those of Eskimo or American Indian descent. Among those of Caucasian descent, the Irish, French and Scandinavians exhibit a far higher incidence than do other European population groups. The disease is further characterized by physical damage in all system of the body, the most serious of which is encountered in the cardiovascular system, the nervous system and the liver. In these three areas the damage may eventually prove fatal.…

    • 578 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Alcoholism and Bullying

    • 582 Words
    • 3 Pages

    It’s not always easy to see when your drinking has crossed the line from moderate or social use to problem drinking. But if you consume alcohol to cope with difficulties or to avoid feeling bad, you’re in potentially dangerous territory. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse can sneak up on you, so it’s important to be aware of the warning signs and take steps to cut back if you recognize them. Understanding the problem is the first step to overcoming it. Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are due to many interconnected factors, including genetics, how you were raised, your social environment, and your emotional health. Some racial groups, such as American Indians and Native Alaskans, are more at risk than others of developing alcohol addiction. People who have a family history of alcoholism or who associate closely with heavy drinkers are more likely to develop drinking problems. Finally, those who suffer from a mental health problem such as anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder are also particularly at risk, because alcohol may be used to self-medicate.…

    • 582 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays