ABSTRACT
Descriptive and qualitative study conducted with 45 Potiguara Indians in two cities of Paraíba, in order to understand the social representations made by Potiguara Indians about the use/abuse of alcohol in their community. The instrument used was a semi structured interview, which was analyzed by qualitative analysis of Bardin. It was noted the emergence of four categories, which deal with the concept, causes, consequences and alternatives to solve the problem of alcohol abuse in the Potiguara community The results provide a better understanding of the potiguara's cultural specificities and can assist the institutions in the implementation of public politics that cover this problem.
KEYWORDS
South American Indians; Social representations; Alcoholic Intoxication