More Hispanic (35%) than White (26%) men abstain from alcohol. Hispanic men (15%) are less likely to be frequent drinkers than White men (31%), but they are more likely to be frequent heavy drinkers (18% and 12%, respectively) (Caetano & Clark, 1998a).
Hispanic men and White men have similar rates of alcohol use disorders (abuse and dependence) (Kessler et al., 1998a); however, Hispanic men now have the highest rates of alcohol-related cirrhosis mortality (Stinson et al., 2001). Rates differ substantially by Hispanic subgroup.
In the U.S. , more Hispanic (57%) than White (39%) women abstain from alcohol. Fewer Hispanic women (9%) are frequent drinkers than White women (19%). Frequent heavy drinking rates are similar (3% and 2%, respectively) (Caetano & Clark, 1998a).
Among those aged 12 to 17, Hispanics are slightly less likely than Whites but substantially more likely than Blacks to have ever used alcohol, to binge drink, and to use alcohol heavily. Hispanics youth are as likely as White youth and slightly more likely than Black youth to have ever used an illicit drug (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2001a).
In some Hispanic communities, men's excessive drinking may be tolerated, though they are generally expected to be able to hold their liquor and fulfill their family responsibilities (Aguilar et al., 1991; Baron, 2000; Caetano et al., 1998).
Since Hispanic cultural norms place women at the center of family life, women are expected to refrain from drinking and especially drunkenness or illicit drug use (Caetano, 1994; Melus, 1980).
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Substance Use Disorders