This study examines the problems related to alcohol use among Karitiana population of Rondônia, reflecting on the possibilities of psychological performance among indigenous peoples. It is the result of a research achieved in 2009, entitled Psychology of mental health among the Karitiana of Porto Velho. We aim to understand the use of alcoholic beverages in this society, emphasizing the psychological aspects involved in this process. We used a multidisciplinary approach with references from psychology, anthropology and public health, considering the psychological dimension as an integrated, historical, social and wider cultural context. Over the results, we highlight the problems related to use of alcoholic drinks, which represented a real social problem to the Karitiana in a recent past, establishing what they call a "mess time". Such context has changed from specific strategies promoted by their leadership, pointing out to possible actions for the indigenous mental health.
problems related to alcohol; indigenous psychology; indigenous peoples of Rondônia; Karitiana