[Social and family variables related to alcohol consumption]

The present study analyzed some family factors which are considered to be relevant for excessive alcohol consumption. Such analysis is conducted on the data derived from a cross-sectional epidemiological community survey directed to investigate, in a random sample of 1.800 persons of 18 to 65 years of age--and representative of the population of Cantabria--community responses to alcohol consumption. For this we applied among other instruments, a questionnaire designed by the WHO for exploring Alcohol consumption, and which has being extensively used in other countries. We found, among other things, that: i) Among the males excessive alcohol consumption tends to be higher in the single marital status, and also in those with a higher number of brothers; ii) On the females on the contrary, single marital status is associates to higher percentages of non excessive alcohol consumption, while the fact of having a higher number of brothers is related to higher rates of non consumption of alcohol.