The Choice of Intoxicant Among the Chinese

Abstract

Summary The choice of alcohol and narcotics and the prevalence pattern of dependence en these substances among the Chinese are found tit differ significantly from those in the West. Possible factors responsible for the distinctive pattern in the Chinest are considered. Probably significant are cultural ideology sanctioning acquiescence, moderation, propriety conformity and intellectual control; historical events leading to easy availability of opiates over a long period; and, a high level of social pathology associated with culture change, economic hardship and easy accessibility to drugs.