[When, how, and what to drink: alcoholism among Indian peoples in the Upper Rio Negro, Brazil].

This paper analyzes the development of alcoholism among Indian peoples in the Upper Rio Negro, Amazonas State, Brazil. Based on a comprehensive approach to what, how, and when individuals drink, this ethnography emphasizes the socio-cultural and historical context in which alcohol is consumed and interpretation of the issue by Indian people themselves. The article discusses historical transformations in the forms of drinking and their correlations with the status quo and changes in social standards of living.