A Pilot Study of the Social Construction of the Meanings Attached to Alcohol Use: Perceptions from India

Abstract

The literature on alcoholism is replete with various cultural interpretations of alcohol use and alcoholism. However, many of those interpretations have not considered the meanings associated with drinking alcohol, a perspective that goes beyond simply examining the causes of alcoholism. The present study focused on the social construction of the meanings associated with use of alcohol and alcoholism from an Indian perspective. Using qualitative methods, the researcher collected ideas on the meanings of alcohol use from eight alcohol-dependent clients of a South India alcoholism treatment center who participated in focus groups and in-depth interviews. An important aspect of this research was that the researcher considered the alcohol-dependent participants as the “experts” who validated their point of view. Several themes emerged: Alcohol use is a symbol of economic status, caste, a person's karma, a period of turmoil, and gender privilege. It is important that social workers and other intervention agents understand the meanings of alcohol use for each alcohol-dependent client so that they may plan creative and individualized interventions.

Key Words:

• Alcohol
• India
• Social construction
• Qualitative research
• Culture