Why does Southern Europe have much lower rates of alcoholism compared to Northern & Eastern Europe?

[Renzi]

Is is it genetic, cultural, or both? Does it have something to do with higher EEF admixture leading to less alcoholism?

[Colonel Frank Grimes]

Stronger cultural stigma.

[Eliades]

Stronger cultural stigma.

This. I'm pretty sure it's all cultural

[catgeorge]

Its not really part of our culture.

Greeks like to drink - I can not pass a good bottle of wine but don't drink spirits other than ouzo for example.

Greeks however smoke cigarettes like crazy.

[Renzi]

Stronger cultural stigma.

A lot of people say southern Europe has a better drinking culture, like less binge drinking, but I still wonder if there is a genetic component to it.

[catgeorge]

This. I'm pretty sure it's all cultural

Prefer coffee than beer - we say lets go out for a coffee rather than lets go out for a beer.

[Eliades]

Prefer coffee than beer - we say lets go out for a coffee rather than lets go out for a beer.

Makes sense, what is the most popular alcoholic beverage over there from what you've observed?

[catgeorge]

Makes sense, what is the most popular alcoholic beverage over there from what you've observed?

Greeks like beer when out.

[JamesBond007]

Is is it genetic, cultural, or both? Does it have something to do with higher EEF admixture leading to less alcoholism?

I am not sure that makes sense. Alcoholic beverages are made from EEF or EEF influenced crops e.g. rice, barley, hops, potatoes, grapes etc...

[JamesBond007]

A lot of people say southern Europe has a better drinking culture, like less binge drinking, but I still wonder if there is a genetic component to it.

I doubt it is genetic like it was with the native American Indians. Rather, Germany etc.. has a beer culture and Britain/Ireland have a pub culture so it is a more socially accepted coping mechanism for an unjust and dehumanizing society. Queen Victoria was once advised that her subjects were on the verge of rebellion and she said paraphrase :"Give them good cheap beer and there will be no rebellion."

I don't see a difference between someone who takes Xanax or Klonopin prescribed by a shrink and someone who drinks too much. Both people are coping with a dehumanizing and unjust society.