Alcohol use and misuse in urban Mexican men and women: an epidemiologic perspective

Consumption patterns and misuse of alcohol were examined in adults sampled from three cities in Mexico (n=1933). The sample was divided into groups of persons who abstained from alcohol, drank but endorsed no misuse, or drank and endorsed at least some misuse of alcohol. Half of the entire sample was categorized as drinkers (12 or more drinks in lifetime). Mexican men drank more per occasion and reported more problems with alcohol rather than did Mexican women. Low socioeconomic resources, not being married, and female gender were related to whether Mexicans abstained from alcohol rather than drank without misuse. Lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression increased the likelihood of misusing alcohol versus drinking without misuse, as did greater amount of drinks consumed per occasion and male gender. Younger age and not being married were also related to misuse, although this was true mostly for women. The number of traumatic experiences in childhood and lower socioeconomic resources also predicted misuse, although mostly for men. Specific traumatic experiences and their relationship to alcohol use and misuse were also examined.