Attitudes and patterns of alcohol use among Mexican Americans. Implications for service delivery.

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Abstract
Randomly selected Mexican American residents (138) of the Magnolia area of Houston, [Texas, USA] (106 women, mean age 25), participated in a survey of attitudes toward and patterns of alcohol use. Magnolia residents are generally working-class; of this sample, 79% were Catholics, 82% either spoke Spanish at home or were bilingual, and most had a junior-high-school education. Whereas 72% of the men drank, only 16% of the women were drinkers; the usual family situation was a drinking husband and an abstaining wife. Drinkers usually drank from 1-6 beers/day. Most drinkers preferred to drink with friends (71%) or with their families (27%), usually in a private home. About 13% of the respondents, or a member of their family, had had drinking-related legal problems (usually driving while intoxicated), 8% some kind of family problem (usually a drinking spouse). About 1/3 of the sample was opposed to all drinking; of those not opposed, all but 4 thought drinkers should be at least 18 yr old. For help with a drinking problem, 34% said they would consult an alcoholism specialist, 19% another professional and 47% would deal with the problem personally or within the family. Attempts to help Mexican American alcoholics must take into account cultural factors complicating service delivery. Thus, 66% of the respondents preferred Mexican American alcoholics must take into account cultural factors complicating service delivery. Thus, 66% of the respondents preferred Mexican American counselors; outreach workers must not violate family hierarchies in trying to help; and due to the stigma attached to alcoholism in Mexican American communities, many alcoholics might not go for help.

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