Sociopsychiatric perspectives on Jewish alcohol abuse: implications for the prevention of alcoholism

Alcoholism is a major problem in our society and it is an increasing problem among American Jews. The sociocultural attitudes that equates Jewish identity with sobriety in contrast to drunkenness among non-Jews seems the major factor that accounts for the low rate of alcoholism among Jews. Alcohol problems increase when Jews lose their Jewish identity through less involvement with traditional religious practices, or in situations where it is difficult or impossible to maintain a Jewish identification such as in the military or in college, or when Jews live in a society where the dominant groups are not prone to drunkenness as in North Africa or Yemen. The Jewish experience with alcohol can be applied along with techniques designed to reduce the per capita consumption of alcohol as a means to prevent the development of alcoholism in our society. Recognition and treatment of alcoholism in Jews may be more difficult because of the severe stigma attached to alcoholism, but educating staff of social agencies and rabbis about alcoholism, and opening the doors of synagogues to AA meetings may lessen this stigma and help Jews who develop drinking problems go for treatment early in the course of their illness.