Social and Clinical Constructs of Alcoholism

In India, the highest consumption level of alcohol is Puducherry with 43 litres per capita per annum. This study was carried out to delineate the correlates of alcohol dependence in Puducherry. The duration of the study was five months between April and August 2007 with a sample size of 200 male alcoholics. Purposive sampling method was followed. The respondents were chosen from the liquor shops owned by PAPSCO located in the outskirts of Puducherry town area. Interview schedule and a SADD questionnaire were used for data collection. The results are discussed with respect to socio- demographic variables and clinical impact. The result show that about 64 percent were with low dependence, 17 percent belonged to the category of medium dependence and 18 percent with high dependence of alcohol. Alcohol dependence level was significantly associated with the age of the alcoholics.

Dr. V. Raji Sugumar is Associate Professor in the Department of Home Science, Bharathidasan Govt. College for Women, Puducherry. She acquired her doctoral degree from Pondicherry University. Her professional career is spanned over two and half decades. G. Sathya is M.Phil scholar in the same department