Alcohol Use in a Venezuelan Community

An Ethnographic Research

Abstract

This ethnographic study was performed based on interpretative anthropology, with the purpose to identify and interpret meanings of alcohol use in a Venezuelan community. Participants were adults of six families from the community. The techniques used were participant observation and interviews. The meanings identified in the data analysis converge to three meaning units: excessive use, drunkenness and happiness. For the participants, the association between alcoholic beverages, happiness, fun, and parties encourages drinking; normal and pathological drinking take place as a continuum; happiness is subordinated to alcohol use. The study offers bases for community health care.