Alcohol Pattern Utilization in a Puerto Rican Baby Boomers sample

Background: The Office of Applied Studies (1996) has reported that in 1995, 49% of the baby boom cohort had ever used illicit drugs in their lifetime compared to 11% among those aged 50 and older. Objective: To describe the alcohol usage pattern in a Puerto Rican Baby Boomers sample. Methodology: A cross-sectional exploratory pilot study, with a non-probabilistic sample of 50 individuals (25 females and 25 males) participating in a Needle Exchange Program was conducted. Face to Face interviews were performed to determine the drug and alcohol usage pattern. Results: 47.6% of the participants are using alcohol; 42.9% of these use it everyday. Also 50% of them indicated that consume 8 or more drinks daily. 80% have been consuming alcohol for more than 20 years; most of them started at 12 years old (90%) or older. Conclusion: The participants' alcohol consumption patterns show the necessity to prioritize for competent health services programs. In addition, a relation is shown among injecting drug usage with early and high alcohol consumption for this sample.