Alaska’s alcohol consumption rate has been among the highest in the Nation in each year for which statistics exist. Alcohol abuse and its consequences are disproportionately high among Alaska Natives, who constitute approximately 15.7 percent of the State’s total population. One possible explanation is Alaska’s rapid industrialization. Many Alaska Natives, particularly younger ones, use alcohol to help resolve conflicts involving cultural identity as well as behavioral and lifestyle problems resulting from adjusting to rapid cultural changes. Correlates of drinking among Alaska Natives include genetics, quantity of alcohol consumed, behavioral and cultural factors, and family violence. Notes, references