Alcholism in Guatemala

So, I have been very pensive lately on the problem of alcoholism in Guatemala. I have found that the consumption of alcohol is very different here than I have ever experienced in the States, social drinking does not really seem to exist here. I have noticed that when a lot of people drink (usually males) they drink to the extreme, becoming so inebriated that they can’t walk straight, hold a sensible conversation or even keep their eyes open. I have seen men randomly sleeping out in public, on sidewalks, on the side of the road, or in the ditch, because the have consumed so much alcohol they can’t make it home (or maybe don’t want to go home). I have also had my fair share of conversations with drunk men (for some reason talking with a white girl seems like a good idea), some of them funny and some of them annoying.

I have been getting to know the groups of people I work with and have discovered that three of my five groups have alcoholics in them. My most recent discovery has really challenged my thoughts about the culture. I gave a charla and noticed that one of the men in my group (who’s home we happened to have the charla at) was not there. Afterwards, he met me outside to inform me that he did not come to the charla because he was drinking (this was at around 4 in the afternoon). He did not have shoes on, his hair was messed up and his eyes were bloodshot. He was one of the first people that I met from this community, a respected leader and a man involved in his community. I was just so surprised to find out a respected leader drinking so heavily midday. I don’t want to be too quick to judge, but it’s just so hard when the culture of the US is so different from this (and plus being a nurse it’s hard to turn a blind eye to this issue/sickness). I have heard stories in the US from friends about having an alcoholic parent, it tears families apart. So I guess I have a couple questions in order to get a better understanding of this issue. Does it not have the same effect on families here as it does in the States? It seems like people here just turn a blind eye to it but maybe they just don’t know how to deal with it or feel like they can’t? Do the men that drink feel so stressed out with their lives that they need alcohol as an outlet? Do those that drink remain open about it because they don’t want you to find out someway else but straight from the source? Do those that have the problem feel ashamed? Do the people here consider it to be a problem?

Please keep in mind that by no means do I want to point fingers or assume myself and my culture to be better than the one here, I am just seeking to understand. I really hope that with my time here I can answer some of these questions and can get a better grasp of the view of alcohol and alcoholism in the Guatemalan culture. I also hope that as my understanding increases that I can offer my support and knowledge to those that may seek it. I write this out of love and not judgment, because I care about the people here and I understand the effects that alcohol can have on individuals and families both physically and emotionally. Please pray that I may be able to get a better understanding of this issue and what role (if any) that I may have here in working against it and that every thing I do here may be driven by love.

Any questions or thoughts please feel free to comment.