Ethnographic Study on Concept of Alcoholism in Korea(II): Focus Group Study

Lee, Man Hong; Yoo, Sang Woo; Lee, Ho Young; Namkoong, Kee; Cho, Eun Young

Abstract

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 in order to replace the terminologies which are inadequate within the Korean culture in diagnosing alcohol abuse. To achieve our intent, the Focus Group Study ethnographic research method was used in this study. The results are as follows: 1) Alcohol is generally perceived as a food rather than a substance in Korea. Alcohol-related behaviors are judged to be problematic according to the problems f311owing the drinking behavior rather than the drinking behavior itself. 2) Repetitive drinking in spite of interpersonal problems was found to be a significant diagnostic guideline of alcoholism in Korea. This finding befits the concept of diagnostic criteria of DSM-III-R and ICD-10. 3) It would be to be appropriate to add some of the typical symptoms rather than change the whole diagnostic concept of ICD or DSM to establish the medical concept of withdrawl phenomenon. 4) Alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence are two separate disease entities. Thus, education of the concepts would allow Koreans to distinguish and to use these two terms. 5) The concepts of acute intoxication, abuse, harmful use and dependence in ICD and DSM should be used after an appropriate revision.