may have contributed as Native Americans were introduced to alcohol by a particularly hard drinking contingent of people. Settlers, trappers and pioneers all used alcohol in their dealings with Native Americans and tended to drink heavily. American Indians, having little experience with alcohol prior to the arrival of Europeans took this as their model for social drinking (Beauvais, 1998). As genetics has been shown to contribute to at least half of a predisposition to alcohol, this onset of heavy drinking as a culture may have influenced future generations. Another aspect of the problem drinking seen on reservations and in indigenous Americans elsewhere are the fact that when they drink, Native Americans tend to drink a great deal, putting them at risk for accidents and incidents further depleting their quality of life. The loss of culture and a sense of degradation and injustice may present a feeling of hopelessness that breeds destructive behavior. Also, the tendency for American Indians to believe themselves to be more prone to alcoholism has been noted as contributing to this problem, illustrating the psychological causes for alcoholism (Beauvais, 1998).Studies relating to African-Americans and the reasons for alcoholism among that group have similarities to those involving Native Americans. Both groups have reason to feel disenfranchised in United States culture. As is the case with Native Americans, those that do drink tend to do so heavily at a greater risk to themselves and others. Despite having a relatively low socio-economic status, African Americans report lower rates of alcohol use than Whites. Mortality rates from alcohol related illnesses and incidents are higher for African-Americans than for Whites despite lower drinking rates and equal occurrences of heavy drinking (Jones-Webb, 1998). Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders tend to have a much lower rate of alcoholism and alcohol abuse than any other categor...
