We found a higher prevalence of drinking in hazardous situations, engaging in violent behavior while drinking, and experiencing problems of excessive alcohol use in males compared to females and a later age of onset for hazardous use, arguments and physical fights while drinking, and early morning drinking among Blacks compared to Whites. Factors contributing to race and gender differences for alcohol problems require further study, but these differences may be theoretically associated with larger societal factors related to gender roles, social norms toward drinking, and socioeconomic status