INFLUENCE OF DIFFICULT MINING LABOUR ON THE INCREASE OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION
INFLUENCE OF DIFFICULT MINING LABOUR ON THE INCREASE OF ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Summary/Abstract: Alcohol drinking in the mining environment is demonstrated by certain researches that were conducted in areas with this socio-economic profile. In this study we want to highlight the following aspects: the socio-cultural determination of alcohol consumption; the worship of alcohol as the expression of a popular culture; the motivation of excessive alcohol consumption through hard physical work that requires such a "therapy" for the recovery of forces; the negative influences of alcohol drinking on the family. This study is based on a socio-anthropological research performed in several stages. The methodological aspects are explained in the study based on the statistical results obtained by applying a sociological questionnaire to a sample of 843 subjects (active miners, all male). The study hypothesis is the following: difficult mining labour causes an increase in temptations to consume alcohol over the levels generally acceptable in the social environment. It is necessary to analyse the phenomenon of alcohol consumption because it has turned into a "cultural" pattern, hiding a reality with serious medical, family and social consequences in general. This survey aims at raising the awareness of community-level decision makers, but also at reducing alcohol drinking. Professional prevention campaigns are required, but they are still lacking. There are no specialists able to change the distorted collective perception of alcohol consumption, but they have to be trained and involved in a specific social work activity.

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