Ethnographic Study on concept of Alcoholism in Korea(I): Key Informant Interview Study

The purpose of this study is to establish the Korean concept of the terms related to the use of alcohol and to use those terms to replace the terminologies which are inadequate within the Korean culture in diagnosing alcohol abuse. To achieve our intent, the Key informant interview study, a kind of the ethnographic research method, was used. The subject consisted of twenty alcohol related persons and the results are as follows: 1) In our culture, 'harmful use' or 'alcohol abuse' is viewed not as a chronic accumulation of effects due to persistent drinking but as a momentary unpleasant experience, a pattern of drinking, or a acute reaction on an episode of over-drinking. 2) Though the concept of 'Alcohol dependency' in the Korean culture exists and contains a list of symptoms, it tends to lean towards describing drinking patterns and causes in comparison to the criteria proposed by DSM-IV or ICD-10. There is expecially no mention of the concept of 'withdrawal' or 'tolerance' which is a significant factor of alcohol dependency. 3) Although the effects of 'acute intoxication' is well described, unlike DSM-IV or ICD-10 which views acute intoxication as a disease entity, the Korean culture does not view it as a disease to be treated. 4) 'Tolerance' is seen as an increase in drinking capacity or an indication of health or virility and does not agree with the DSM-IV or ICD-10 criteria of 'alcohol tolerance'. 5) The concept of 'hangover' existed but no descriptive could be found. A few of the interviewees used the word 'hangover' but did not regard it as a pathologic symptom or sign but a state which follows drinking capable of happening to anyone. 6) The concept of 'withdrawal' existed but the psychotic symptoms or delirium relating was not mentioned. 7) 'Loss of control' was viewed as a frequently occurring normal effect f alcohol and one of the objectives of drinking. 8) The concept of 'craving' included to strong desire to drink but not the behavior of seeking alcohol. 9) The standard of normal drinking was set not according to the amount or the effects of drinking but according to the purpose. For example, social reasons, to relieve stress, to achieve euphoria, or according to the amount that does not effect activities the day after.restrictio