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Prevalence of Alcohol Dependence among Males in Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala

Rakshase Bal

Contemporary Indian society is obsessed with the use of alcohol. Kerala, God’s own country, is one of the highest consumers of alcohol in India. Alcohol drinking patterns in India evolved over centuries. In ancient period, India had an ambivalent drinking culture. Establishment of East India Company led to liberalization of liquor market in India, leading to an increase in alcohol use. Kerala was one of the states where alcohol consumption has been traditionally high. Subsequent period witnessed a reduction in age at initiation of alcohol use in India, especially Kerala. Most of the people who stated drinking at a young age drank heavily. This resulted in an increase in Alcohol Dependence. The present study was aimed at estimating the prevalence of Alcohol Dependence among males in Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala. Also, it studied the association between socio-demographic factors and Alcohol Dependence. This study proves that Alcohol Dependence among males in Thiruvananthapuram is as high as 38.41%. Moreover, socio- demographic factors such as marital disharmony, poor income, poor education and unemployment are significantly associated with Alcohol Dependence. Religious factors influence alcohol use. There is no urban- rural difference in Alcohol Dependence. Alcohol Dependence can be curbed only by addressing the issue of social deprivation at a macro level.