A review of problem drinking in young Mexicans and possible correlations with gender-related factors

Abstract

Increased alcohol consumption in the Mexican population has lead to serious problems around this addiction. The age of onset of alcohol intake is occurring at younger ages increasingly and first contact with alcohol tends to occur at the beginning of adolescence, a period of life fraught with conflicts. In some cases, the teenager will seek evasion or refuge in drinking, or social acceptance from peers and peer groups. In this critical phase, the individual is trying to forge his or her own identity and tends to rebel against figures of authority. All of this leads to a variety of behaviors that many times disregard possible consequences on oneself, one’s family and one’s community. By adopting a gender perspective, this article attempts to provide some insight as to how men and women develop problem-drinking, factors that may bear an effect on its occurrence, as well as to highlight some actions points that may help to solve and prevent this adverse problem.

Keywords

• alcoholism
• prevention
• young