Relationship of Binge Drinking to Alcohol Dependence, Other Psychiatric Disorders, and Behavioral Problems in an American Indian Tribe

Abstract

The hypothesis that binge drinking is a benign behavior not associated with alcohol dependence, other psychiatric disorders, or problem areas, in American Indians, was tested in a sample of 582 adult Southwestern American Indian males and females in large multigenerational pedigrees. All information was obtained from semistructured psychiatric interviews that were independently blind-rated for DSM-III-R diagnoses. Three main outcome measures were used: the relationship between binge drinking and (1) alcohol dependence and other psychiatric disorders, (2) substance abuse treatment, and (3) four behavioral problem categories-violence/lawlessness, physical, social, and work. Binge drinking and alcohol dependence were strongly associated. Most binge drinkers were diagnosed as alcohol dependent. However, when controlling for alcohol dependence and other covariates, binge drinking was independently associated with an increase in odds for positive diagnoses for multiple psychiatric disorders, and for social, work, physical, and violence/lawlessness behavioral problems. In sum, binge drinking was found to be a common and severe problem with deleterious consequences in multiple domains of functioning. Assessment instruments should be designed to elicit information on binge patterns of drinking and strategies devised to provide appropriate treatment.

Age at First Intoxication and Alcohol Use Disorders in Southwest California Indians

“…Although tribes differ in the use of alcohol and drugs, several Native American communities have alcohol dependence rates that are 2 to 5 times higher than the general U.S. population (Gilder et al, 2004;Kinzie et al,1992;Kunitz et al, 1999;Mitchell et al, 2003;Robin et al, 1998). Few studies have investigated the risk factors that may contribute to the variance in these high rates of the disorder.…”

“…In the small number of studies published, alcohol dependence rates have varied greatly. Depending on the tribe sampled and their sanctions concerning drinking, prevalence rates of 20% to 80% for men and 10% to 55% for women have been found (Beals et al, 2005;Gilder et al, 2004;Kinzie et al, 1992;Kunitz et al, 1999;Robin et al, 1998;Wall et al, 2003). Despite the devastating impact that alcohol has had in tribes who drink, what the risk factors are that may predispose a greater proportion of individuals in some Native American communities to develop alcohol use disorders remains unclear.…”

Allelic variation at alcohol metabolism genes ( ADH1B , ADH1C , ALDH2 ) and alcohol dependence in an American Indian population

“…Diagnostic differences were resolved in a consensus conference that included a senior psychiatrist experienced in diagnosis in American Indian people. Sampling strategy, interview procedure, and diagnosis protocol are summarized from Long et al (1998) and Robin et al (1998).…”

Heritability of illicit drug use and transition to dependence in Southwest California Indians

“…It has been reported that several Native American communities have alcohol dependence rates that are four or five times higher than the general US population (Kinzie et al, 1992;Robin et al, 1998;Kunitz et al, 1999;Mitchell et al, 2003;Gilder et al, 2004). Few studies have investigated illicit substance use involvement in Native American adults (Mitchell et al, 2003); however, some studies have investigated drug use in Native American adolescents.…”