During the period of slavery in the United States, alcohol use continued to be limited among African American slaves. In part due to external pressure and control (i.e., laws prohibiting alcohol use; slave owners restricting access and use), slaves became even less likely to drink alcohol, with abstinence becoming the norm (Christmon, 1995; Herd, 1991). There have been some records of alcohol being given to slaves by slave owners; however, such use was typically restricted to holiday drinking (Christmon, 1995; Harper, 1976; James & Johnson, 1996).
