Alcohol-use-related problems in Puerto Rican and Irish-American males.

This study compared the alcohol-use-related problems of Puerto Rican and Irish-American men: groups sometimes considered at "high risk" for the development of such problems. It was found that Irish-American men had higher lifetime prevalence rates in the following areas: excessive intake, tolerance and/or dependence, physical or psychological problems associated with alcohol misuse, and social and/or occupational problems associated with alcohol misuse. Results are discussed in terms of Puerto Rican and Irish-American risk status and the importance of appropriate comparisons in studies focused on culture/ethnicity and alcohol consumption.