In class it was mentioned that Native Americans do not metabolize alcohol as well, or the same, as other races. Why is this? Are the causes genetic, environmental or both?

An article posted in the International Business Times discusses the major negative impact alcohol has had, and continues to have, on the Native American community. One fourth of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation's children have been affected by their parents' drinking and now must live with fetal disorders. The rate of alcoholism is 6 times greater in Native American people than that of the U.S. average. Also, one in ten Native American deaths is alcohol related, higher than that of the broader population (Ghosh, 2012). According to Bethany Winkel, an expert on alcoholism, Native Americans are more impacted by alcohol's effects because it is newer to their culture. It was introduced to them by European settlers, who had been living in a culture including alcohol for a very long time. This, I suppose, would be the environmental reasoning as to why alcohol is so much more dangerous to the American Indian culture. However, Winkel also states that research over the years has shown there are in fact genetic factors that contribute to these effects (Ghosh, 2012). In conclusion, I can say that Native Americans may be more prone to becoming alcoholics not only because the way their culture raises them, but also because of genetic factors. This dangerous combinations of the two continues to be detrimental to their survival. This is very interesting to me considering I am Native American. Learning the history is very interesting and I'm glad I have this knowledge.

Source:

http://www.ibtimes.com/native-americans-tragedy-alcoholism-214046

Holly D. R.