There have also been psychobiological theories developed to explain the excessive drinking seen in some Native Americans. One theory of problem drinking, called the “firewater myth,” hypothesized that Native Americans are physiologically unable to handle alcohol and thus experience “loss of control” following alcohol consumption and problem drinking [13]. However, recent empirical studies of alcohol drinking in the laboratory in Native Americans provide no support for such theories [14]. Additionally, the “firewater” theory is inconsistent with an extensive literature demonstrating that a diminished response to alcohol is predictive of the future development of alcohol-related problems in most populations [15], including Native Americans [14].
