# Studying Primate Alcoholism Vervet Monkeys Steal Drinks, Reveal Clues About Human Drinking Habits By Michael Poppenhagen | Published 2010-10-31 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vervet-monkey References: [telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/3291518/Quest-for-alcohol-gene-sets-monkeys-on-binge.html) & [greenmuze](http://www.greenmuze.com/animals/wild/2019-alcoholic-vervet-monkeys-.html) The Vervet monkey was brought to the Caribbean about 300 years ago and has become known for snatching [alcoholic beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sun-chaser) from unsuspecting vacationers. The up side is that the alcohol-loving monkeys’ party-snatching behavior may give scientists a clue about alcoholism in humans. Researchers have found that the Vervet monkey, like its human counterpart, is usually a [social drinker](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pour-decision), but as many as 15 percent drink heavily, and 5 percent are [binge drinkers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soberly) who consume alcohol to drunkenness, start brawls and pass out. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 4% | Activity: 67% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Travel](https://www.trendhunter.com/travel) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Primate Alcoholism Research:** Opportunity to gain insights into alcoholism in humans by studying the drinking behaviors of Vervet monkeys. - **Social Drinking in Primates:** Opportunity to explore the sociability aspect of drinking and its effects on primate behavior. - **Prevalence of Binge Drinking in Primates:** Opportunity to investigate and understand the triggers and consequences of binge drinking in Vervet monkeys. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Pharmaceuticals:** Investigate potential drug candidates for treating alcoholism in humans, based on insights gained from primate alcoholism research. - **Behavioral Therapy:** Develop new approaches for addressing binge drinking and social drinking behaviors in humans, based on research on primate alcoholism. - **Tourism:** Develop strategies for preventing Vervet monkeys from stealing drinks from tourists, based on behavioral insights gained from studying their drinking patterns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Alcoholic Grape Varieties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alcoholic-grapes.md) - [Eccentric Craft Seltzer Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flying-monkeys-seltzers.md) - [Gorilla-Saving Rum Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/karisimbi-rum.md) - [Cannabis-Infused Microdosing Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightly-sparkling-beverage.md) - [Alcohol-Centered Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monopoly-board-crawl.md) - [Low-Dose THC Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thc-soda.md) - [Tropical Banana Chip Chocolates](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fatso-drunkn-monkey.md) - [Malt Alcohol Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-beast-unleashed.md) - [Caper-Infused Gins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/monkey-47-distillers-cut-edition-14.md)