Social locations and interpretations: how Jews define alcoholism

A study of 88 Jews in central New York State, in which respondents were encouraged to discuss their opinions on alcoholism in depth through open-ended verbal questions, revealed differences between the various Jewish denominational affiliations. Orthodox Jews tend to offer disease definitions of alcoholism and their major response to suspected alcoholics is fear, whereas Reform and nonpracticing Jews define alcoholism in terms of psychological dependency and view suspected alcoholics with condemnation and blame. The groups' experiences with drinking and alcoholism also differ. The Orthodox Jews drink on special and sacramental occasions and report not having known any heavy drinkers; Reform and nonpracticing Jews integrate drinking into their daily social interactions and have known persons considered to be alcoholics. Conservative Jews discuss definitions and experiences of drinking and alcoholism with a lack of clarity and their views are midway between those of the Orthodox and those of the Reform and nonpracticing Jews. It is suggested that the places of groups within society and in networks of related groups parallel the interpretations that members hold concerning social phenomena.