“Not me, I’m in control!” a systematic meta-synthesis of othering amongst heavier drinkers

Background Othering is a discursive practice of constructing or drawing on an extreme or stereotyped problem ‘other’. Othering amongst drinking groups has been proposed as an important barrier to the resolution of alcohol problems via impeding problem recognition and increasing stigma. The aim of this review was to examine how heavier drinkers characterize a ‘problematic other’ in order to justify, normalize or protect their own ‘non-problematic’ drinking identity.Method A systematic search was conducted of qualitative studies where evidence of othering was identified amongst people drinking above recommended drinking guidelines. Thematic analysis was used to identify codes which were summarized into themes.Results A cross-cutting theme of categorizations reflected how a non-problematic drinking self versus the problematic other was constructed via labeling and identifying distinct groups or markers. Inter-connected themes of control, health and functioning, and drinking contexts, practices and patterns were also identified in othering practices used to protect, normalize or justify participants’ own drinking.Conclusions Participants used a range of discursive strategies to justify their own drinking, in contrast to the problematic other. In protecting one’s own positive drinking identity via the problematized other, othering appears a key strategy in maintaining low problem recognition amongst heavier drinking groups. This may in turn perpetrate stigma.