Asian American adults are generally less likely than those of other major ethnic groups to report alcohol or drug use. This is also true of youth (Au & Donaldson, 2000; D'Avanzo, 1977; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2000). here are little large-scale epidemiological studies of alcohol among Asian American groups (Makimoto, 1998). This is also true for drug use and substance use disorders.
In the U.S. , Asian American and Pacific Islander men have less than half the risk of cirrhosis as White men. Rates for Asian and White women are more similar (Singh & Hoyert, 2000).
In Japan and Korea alcohol is frequently served at private and public gatherings (such as business transactions). This can be seen as cultural permissiveness, although this permissiveness is not gender-neutral. Drunkenness among men is better tolerated than drunkenness among women (due to the influence of Confucianism). Although alcohol problems among women are poorly tolerated, some moderate amounts of drinking in private or at small social gatherings is permitted.
Due to a genetic enzyme deficiency, as many as half of Asians have unpleasant reactions to alcohol (Wall & Ehlers, 1995). The extent to which this ˇ°flushing responseˇ± protects from alcohol problems is unclear (Johnson, 1989; Towle, 1988; Tu & Israel, 1995). |
Substance Use Disorders