cultures for a number of reasons. The variety of alcohol consumed in the three nations and the traditions and patterns that accompany consumption are very different. As is to be expected the problems and the extent of difficulties that these countries face to in respect to alcohol dependency are wide ranging as well. India has the least amount of problems concerning alcoholism; religion, culture and former governmental control have curbed the dangers arising from alcohol dependency. 3 % of adults in India are considered alcohol dependent, as compared to between 10 and 31 % in the United States (Bennett et. al., 1998; Steen, 1996). Mexico, by comparison, has a much greater problem concerning alcohol dependency and consequences of drunkenness. Ranging from death from alcohol related illnesses to domestic violence to loss of productivity Mexico suffers from the most common alcohol related problems. Treatment and prevention have been instituted but some argue that the machismo culture is largely to blame (Bennett et. al., 1998).Nigeria also has problems with alcohol abuse. Those citizens of Nigeria that are not Muslim tend to use alcohol daily as part of ceremony and quotidian activities. Drinking is generally considered less disruptive to daily life in Nigeria but heavy drinking is not looked upon favorably (Bennett et. al., 1998). These three examples demonstrate not only that drinking and alcohol abuse vary greatly from one country to another, but also that the perception of what constitutes a problem or dependency is also subject to cultural norms and values. Although there are significant differences in the ways that people of various cultures use alcohol, and the extent to which they do so, these differences are primarily cultural. In some cases, especially in the United States, higher alcohol consumption or alcoholic tendencies are a result of acculturation. The need of a certain ethnic group to fit in with mainstream Am...
