Treatment History of African American Males with Alcoholism

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The history of treatment of African American males suffering from alcoholism dates back to the 1800s, when slavery caused the formation of social and cultural identities in African American communities and shaped their attitude to alcohol. Alcohol was regarded as a tool of influence that allowed keeping slaves under control. Later, in the middle of the twentieth century, the same strategy was used to control African American communities. For centuries alcohol also played its social function as a facilitator of communication. However, the proportion of African Americans who fail to withstand the temptation and comply with the social norms of alcohol consumption is higher compared to Caucasian population. The reason for it is the loss of personal and cultural identity due to the long history of oppression, slavery and discrimination of African American people. Moreover, contemporary social, cultural and healthcare factors contribute to the spread of alcohol use disorder among African American males. The response to this situation should involve the recovery of cultural and personal identity, enhancement of healthcare services provision, and ensure support of the community.

Keywords: alcoholism, alcohol use disorder, African American males, identity, historical context, healthcare

Treatment History of African American Males with Alcoholism

The issue of alcohol abuse is an essential problem in the modern society. The ever-accelerating speed of life as well as genetic and psychological predisposition to alcohol abuse contributes to the aggravation of the problem. The issue is particularly on the rise within African American communities. The history of fighting alcohol use disorders among African American males includes the names of Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X, visionaries who motivated many men to abstain from drinking (White, Sanders, & Sanders, 2006). These two people provided role models for generations, and one of the promoted characteristics was abstinence from drinking. Therefore, it is assumed that the problem of alcohol use disorders is connected with ethnicity. Thus, African American origin may be a determinative characteristic that increases the potentiality of alcohol abuse in an individual. Therefore, it can be argued that African American ethnicity and alcohol use disorders are interrelated and the historical background contributes to the occurrence of alcoholism in this population.

Historical Background

Historical context is crucial for identifying the causes and finding solutions to the problem. The problem of alcohol use disorder should be defined since this can help understand the causes of the condition. Thus, alcoholism or alcohol drug disorder in adults is defined by the DSM-IV as the behavior of a person that includes the presence of at least three factors indicating alcohol dependence (Esser et al., 2014). These factors are as follows: withdrawal, tolerance, failed efforts to reduce or abstain from alcohol consumption, inability to control the habit, continued consumption in spite of alcohol-related problems, neglect in other spheres of life, and time spent on activities involving consumption of alcohol (Esser et al., 2014). Moreover, according to Esser et al. (2014), additional simplified characteristic was the consumption of more than one drink for approximately 6 days or more over the last year. These determinants could be found in many of African American slaves in the nineteenth century, when the problem of alcohol use disorder among this population is believed to have started.

The roots of African American alcohol use disorders can be traced back in the distant past. Thus, researchers date the onset of the problem as far as the beginning of the nineteenth century (White et al., 2006). Thus, slave owners encouraged alcohol consumption during weekends and holidays. As a result, slaves developed addiction to the substance both physically and psychologically. The feeling of content was the major bond that made African American males addicted to the spirits. Alcohol was also an important instrument of influence that helped prevent slave rebellions (White et al., 2006). The idea offered by Douglass was abstinence from the habit as the preparation for full citizenship. He managed to motivate African American free males and slaves to stop drinking alcohol. According to Douglass, alcohol was a way to suppress the potential discontent among slaves (White et al., 2006). In the same way, in the middle of the twentieth century, Malcolm X emphasized that alcohol addiction served as the instrument of influence to make African American communities obedient (White et al., 2006). In his opinion, alcoholism prevented the black population from critical thinking and correct evaluation of the circumstances but enabled them to work and perform other activities required by the white society. Hence, alcoholism was used by the whites to keep African Americans within the prescribed limits.

Douglass and Malcolm X used their personal charisma to lead and motivate people. Both leaders suffered from alcohol addiction but managed to combat this problem. Douglass admitted his problem and made a pledge of sobriety, which he managed to fulfill until the end of his life (White et al., 2006). It was considered that ignorance and immorality resulting from alcohol-blurred minds were caused by the influence of the white society, which exercised control in such a way (White et al., 2006). Although Malcolm X acknowledged the role of alcohol as an artificially created drive, he also claimed the responsibility of African Americans who failed to withstand the temptation. According to Malcolm X, African Americans could overcome the obstacle to a happy life through “clean” behavior that excluded addiction, adultery, and gambling (White et al., 2006). Therefore, Douglass and Malcolm X can be considered as agents of change for alcohol addicts who were unable to refrain from drinking. The decisions of both Douglass and Malcolm X were religiously predetermined and evidenced. Despite the time gap of almost a century, even nowadays these outstanding social figures may motivate alcohol addicts to stop alcohol abuse.

As it can be seen, historical context to alcohol addiction did not end with the abolishment of slavery. From the middle of the twentieth century up to the 1980s, children of African American parents who were imprisoned and suffered from addictions or HIV/AIDS were located to foster care (Boyd-Franklin, 2006). This approach persisted even in cases when extended families were available and ready to accept the child. Obviously, such social oppression caused further protective behavior in these children and later adults. At the same time, protective behavior of African American students was found to contribute to the relation between drinking motivation and alcohol use disorder (Madson, Villarosa, Moorer, & Zeigler-Hill, 2015). Thus, social oppression negatively affected the identity of African American males at various stages of historical development from the 1800s to the present time.

Therefore, historical background is an influential factor that contributes to the personal and cultural identity of an individual. In such a way, history shapes views and attitudes, which, in turn, may impact the present of individuals. Thus, the historical influences of the 19th and 20th centuries had far-reaching implications, which can be seen nowadays in the increased rates of alcohol use within African American communities.

Implications of Alcoholism for African American Males

Historical context should be emphasized when discussing the issue of alcoholism within African American communities. The implications of slavery and loss of ethnic and cultural identity may still persist in African American males (White et al., 2006). The psychological solution to this uncertainty is falling into oblivion with the help of alcohol. On the other hand, personal recovery from these historical events can be presented in the corresponding theme of liberation and cultural revival. Positive implications could be found in life-changing ideas that eliminate the need in alcohol use and restore the cultural identity of an individual. The role of the community should not be underestimated since it is one of the major contributors to the successful cure from alcohol use disorder (White et al., 2006). Moreover, faith and religion could be the last resort in which alcohol abusers find their salvation.

What is unusual about the problem of alcoholism in African American males is that despite lower rates and later onset of alcohol consumption, African Americans tend to develop greater problems related to excessive alcohol consumption (Zapolski, Pedersen, McCarthy, & Smith, 2014). However, the evolving issues lead to the alcohol abuse problem. Social factors that contribute to alcohol dependency are low income and education level and certain diseases such as migraine and sexually transmitted illnesses (Marshal et al., 2013). Marshal et al. (2013) indicate a disproportionate shift to African American citizens when compared to the Caucasian population in terms of alcohol abuse. Moreover, the mortality and morbidity rates from alcohol abuse tend to be higher among the minority population. The researchers believe that poor health care utilization is the cause of this state of affairs (Marshal et al., 2013). Older age and sensation seeking were found to be social contributors to the alcohol abuse problem (DePadilla, Elifson, McCarthy, & Sterk, 2012). Such psychological causes exacerbate the problem of alcohol use disorder. Thus, medical diseases and their treatment have certain relation to the development of alcohol use disorder in African American males.

Consequently, African American ethnicity is the factor contributing to the development of alcoholism. Therefore, African American communities should target the restoration of cultural and personal identity, improvement of healthcare services provision, and guarantee support of the community to overcome the consequences of historically-conditioned alcohol consumption patterns in African American males.

Multicultural Aspects of Alcoholism and Social Attitudes

While ethnicity is believed to predetermine group identity of an individual, cultural identity of a person demonstrates the degree of affiliation to some common activity or behavior. Alcoholism is the type of disorder which is ethnically and culturally determined.

Drinking has always been a social activity. From the early 19th century, celebrations and holidays were marked with alcohol consumption. Throughout centuries, human body adapted to the amount of alcohol that was initially consumed and the norms grew. Currently, the issue is whether individuals can withstand the temptation of increasing the doses and regularity of consuming alcohol to avoid infamous consequences such as alcohol use disorder. The attempts to reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption within communities were effective mostly when a spiritual or religious aspect was involved. Otherwise, abstinence from alcohol was a difficult aim to achieve, especially when the whole community was targeted.

According to the definition of alcohol use disorder provided by Esser et al. (2014), alcohol abusers are condemned by the society since they demonstrate antisocial behavior such as neglect in relation to routine work and family activities. Another type of antisocial behavior is inability to control one’s desires and emotions due to alcohol consumption, which can also lead to adverse consequences. Furthermore, alcohol dependence damages the person’s life in various spheres. Being under the impact of alcohol, abusers are unable to work properly, and their performance deteriorates considerably. According to research, worsened work performance is the major implication of excessive alcohol consumption in the United States (Esser et al., 2014). If the problem occurs earlier in life, although early initiation is not common among African Americans, it also affects the educational sphere and reduces the chances of an individual to reach higher social positions. Education itself is a factor contributing to the problem. Thus, African Americans, whose education level was lower than high school, developed a significantly higher inclination to excessive alcohol consumption (Esser et al., 2014). Low income was also regarded both as the factor contributing to excessive uncontrolled drinking and as a consequence of this harmful habit. Thus, alcoholism tends to create a vicious circle of failed social activities, which in turn make frustrated people consume more alcohol. These consequences of alcohol use disorder also contribute to the negative perception of alcohol abusers in the society.

Although societies have their norms and intrinsic regulations about what alcohol drinks, in what amounts and under what circumstances can be consumed, each individual sets the limit for himself/ herself. The society only accepts this behavior if it conforms to the social norms or condemns it if the behavior exceeds the limits. Moreover, since excessive amounts of alcohol lead to antisocial behavior, an individual demonstrating such behavior is likely to be subject to social exclusion. Therefore, alcohol drinking can be socially and culturally predetermined. Societies and communities establish the norms of drinking and then either accept or reject the individual based on his/ her alcohol-related behavior.

Conclusion

Historical background demonstrates that African Americans were involved in the environments where alcohol use was a common behavior. Starting from the 1800s, during the time of slavery, after its abolishment as well as in the middle of the twentieth century, when the discriminative and oppressive moods were still common, many African Americans abused alcohol. This historical predisposition was predetermined by the institutionalized frameworks that targeted the oppression of powers, ideas, and discontent in the communities of African Americans. Even after many years of slavery-induced alcoholism, the attitudes that were formed in families and communities persist and entail new generations in alcohol consumption. Hence, alcohol use disorder among African Americans is both historically and ethnically predetermined. In addition, healthcare, social and cultural aspects contribute to the development of alcohol use disorder. Societies establish the norms of alcohol consumption; however, the final decision about the sufficient amount of alcohol is made by an individual. The individual, in turn, may have various underlying reasons that drive excessive consumption. Loss of cultural or personal identity is one of such reasons. Moreover, poor healthcare that African American males experience contributes to the potentiality of alcohol use disorder development. Therefore, ethnicity is one of the contributing factors to the development of alcohol use disorder, which determines cultural and personal identity of an individual. In addition, historical and family backgrounds increase the chances for alcohol abuse.

References

Boyd-Franklin, N. (2006). Black families in therapy: Understanding the African American experience (2nd ed.). New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

DePadilla, L., Elifson, E., McCarthy, F., & Sterk, C. (2012). Excessive drinking among African American men: Individual and contextual correlates. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 11(2), 113-129. doi: 10.1080/15332640.2012.675227

Esser, M. B., Hedden, S. L., Kanny, D., Brewer, R. D., Gfroerer, J. C., & Naimi, T. C. (2014). Prevalence of alcohol dependence among US adult drinkers, 2009-2011. Preventing Chronic Disease, 11. doi: 10.5888/pcd11.140329

Madson, M. B., Villarosa, M. C., Moorer, K. D., & Zeigler-Hill, V. (2015). Drinking motives and alcohol use behaviors among African American college students: The mediating role of protective behavioral strategies. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 14(2), 133-150. doi: 10.1080/15332640.2014.973627

Marshall, V. J., Kalu, N., Kwagyan, J., Scott, D. M., Cain, G., Hill, K., …Taylor, R. E. (2013). Alcohol dependence and health care utilization in African Americans. Journal of the National Medical Association, 105(1), 42-49.

White, W., Sanders, M., & Sanders, T. (2006). Addiction in the African American community: The recovery legacies of Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X. Counselor, 7(5), 53-58.

Zapolski, T. C. B., Pedersen, S. L., McCarthy, D. M., & Smith, G. T. (2014). Less drinking, yet more problems: Understanding African American drinking and related problems. Psychological Bulletin, 140(1), 188-223. doi: 10.1037/a0032113