Alcoholism a disease of "democratic".

Unlike the other addictive, alcohol is a socially and culturally accepted in many countries. It is "well seen" as conmúnmente. However, according to the world Organization of the health, alcohol causes more than two and a half million deaths each year.

And Latin America is no exception to this public health problem. The area per capita alcohol consumption exceeds the global average of 40%.

Final report prepared by who in 2007 on alcoholism in America found that "the average per capita consumption of alcohol in the Americas is 8.7 gallons, which is well above the world average of 6.2 litres".

But, in addition, in the region, alcoholism has a particular shade, this is a problem affecting younger.

In Latin America, alcohol consumption is greater than the global average.

"Alcohol is a very democratic disease in Latin America." There is a model of alcohol consumption in the region which is different from other parts of the world. "Here young people begin to consume alcohol very quickly and it is a serious problem," told BBC World Professor Arthur Guerra de Andrade, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of São Paulo and President of NGO health and alcohol information Centre in the Brazil.

But, although the regional average of alcohol consumption is high, not all Latin American countries have similar habits.

"There is no uniform distribution." There is a link with the country's economy. For example, in Chile, the prevalence of alcoholism is lower. Instead of this, the poor, such as the countries of Central America and the Bolivia have more alcohol. "However, in such cases there is no precise data because epidemiologic studies are under", emphasized the Guerra.

In a large area, the reality of the problem of alcoholism is diverse. Experts agree to ensure that prevention plans of the consumption of liquor in Latin America are insufficient.

"Latin American health policy are poor." It is expected that the State can offer a magic wand for the situation, but the problem is social. Countries should be more pragmatic behavior at this stage. "We have a primary and must start at the base," suggested Guerra.

Anyone see alcoholism as a problem of personality, not a problem, but as a problem of morale, force of will. As if the person who drinks was a weak person without a strong personality. But this is wrong. Alcoholism is a health problem, the person who drinks take a picture of unity

Arthur Andrade, war alcohol and health information centre

In this sense, often the seriousness of the problem and how is perceived as socially do not coincide.

Alcohol has a great foundation in Latin American societies and drinking is often a social event.

Perhaps for this reason, when such action becomes addicted and drift in disease, alcoholism can go unnoticed for many people, or be construed as a purely psychological problem.

"Nobody well see alcoholism as a problem of personality, not a problem, but as a problem of morale, force of will." As if the person who drinks was a weak person without a strong personality. "But it is a mistake," says Guerra.

"Alcohol is a health problem, the person who drinks take a pattern of dependency, biological, psychological, problems of work and family". As a medical problem requires not only psychological approach, but also of medical social workers support psychotherapists. "Comprehensive treatment is necessary," he concludes.

View the original article here