Substance Use and the Hispanic Latino Population: What to Do?
Differences in drinking patterns have been found to vastly differ by national origin (Vaeth et al., 2012). Despite recognition of the cultural differences that exist between distinct Latino national groups, most previous research on alcohol use among Latino immigrants has been conducted exclusively with Mexican immigrant populations (Borges et al., 2011; Worby & Organista, 2013). Fewer studies have examined alcohol use patterns among a diverse sample of Cuban, South American, and Central American immigrants (Sanchez et al., 2014). With increases in immigration from South and Central America (Noe-Bustamante, 2019), these national groups are becoming more representative of the overall Latino immigrant population in the US. These subgroup differences in alcohol use among Latinos, in addition to the limited existing research on Latinos immigrating to the US from a variety of Latin American regions including Cuba, and South and Central American, underscores the need for such research. Over half (58%) were women, 40% had greater than a high school education, 23% were U.S. born (including mainland and U.S. territories), 25% preferred English as their first language, 50% were working either full or part-time, and 49% were married or living with a partner.
Below are three examples of interventions healthcare professionals may consider implementing to reduce barriers to care and improve treatment outcomes for the Latinx community facing SUD. Since social work is a predominantly white profession, Latinx people seeking treatment for substance use are more than likely to encounter a white social worker who may not understand their unique needs. Some levels of care for treating substance use disorder and addictions involve inpatient programs that can last for 14, 28, or even 90 days.
Implement a screening process for substance use in a variety of healthcare settings
Many view culturally competent care as simply providing interpreters or merely hiring bilingual staff. “If you are the breadwinner in your family, [you may think to yourself] ‘I will sacrifice my addiction treatment to pay the bills at home,’” Vakharia says. “Familismo” is a term used in Latinx culture that underlines the importance of family, a concept that treatment interventions may benefit from adopting. Here are some ways Vakharia suggests treatment can be overhauled to more adequately respond to the needs of the Latinx community on a systemic level, with societal and political support. According to a 2019 report of the Joint Economic Committee of the United States Congress, Hispanic workers earn 74% of what the typical white worker earns.
Almost 30% were former drinkers (33%women, 27%men), and 52% were current drinkers (41%women, 63%men). Overall, 26% had no risk for alcohol use disorder (AUD) (39%women, 14%men), 65% were low risk for AUD (56%women, 74%men), and 9% were at-risk for AUD (5%women, 12.2%men). One limitation of this study is the cross-sectional design which does not allow for the exploration of the directionality of the associations among SES, acculturation, gender, and alcohol use. Additionally, this study is limited to four major metropolitan cities in the United States and does not include rural Hispanics/Latinos. One of the strengths of the current study is the probability-based sampling which allows for the estimation of prevalence in the target population in the four communities (Bronx, Chicago, Miami, and San Diego).
“Cultural competence can mean [language], but significant portions of the Latinx community in the United States call English their first language. It doesn’t necessarily mean linguistics, although linguistics are really important, but also the understanding of cultural and family values,” says Vakharia. For treatment to be successful, clinicians and program developers may benefit from developing programs in accordance with family-oriented cultural and religious values. The ability to access treatment can depend largely on where you live and how many programs, if any, are in your immediate area. Since accessing treatment for substance use intersects with issues of infrastructure and health equity, it would help if policymakers and communities began expanding coverage geographically. It’s important to emphasize the Latinx community comprises numerous diverse subgroups and is not a monolith.
Socioeconomic status
When looking at those over the age of 18, the prevalence was even higher, with 13.5%. To transform treatment outcomes for the Latinx community, approaching care with a sociocultural easy ways to read drug test results lens may help. If you or someone you love is facing an SUD, consider reaching out to a trusted healthcare professional for an evaluation and to explore your treatment options.
Graph of the interaction of family history of alcohol use and positive alcohol outcome expectancies. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess odds of alcohol use (former and current versus never (reference)) and alcohol use disorder risk (low and at-risk versus no risk (reference)). Alcohol use severity was measured with the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), which has been validated in Spanish (Babor et al., 2001).
Discover the impact alcohol has on children living with a parent or caregiver with alcohol use disorder. Find out how many people have alcohol use disorder in the United States across age groups and demographics. Explore how many people ages 18 to 25 engage in alcohol misuse in the United States and the impact it has. Learn how many people ages 12 to 20 engage in underage alcohol misuse in the United States and the impact it has. Even as the medical community and society as a whole work to reimagine what treatment for substance use disorder looks like for the Latinx community, know that help is available and healing is possible.
These differences would most likely not approach statistical significance (except perhaps for the overall percentages of individuals who received treatment for any substance use disorder). However, the issue of substance abuse, particularly abuse of alcohol, in individuals of Hispanic origin living in the United States is very complicated, is most likely not fully addressed, and deserves special considerations. The outcome for treatment how does increased alcohol tolerance affect a person for an alcohol use disorder should not vary substantially according to an individual’s ethnic background when all of these considerations are taken into account. Moreover, NIDA specifically states that successful treatment for any substance use disorder follows an overall blueprint that has been shown to be effective by research studies, but that has the flexibility to be personalized for the specific needs of the individual.
The overall treatment program for an alcohol use disorder as specified by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) would not vary substantially. According to a joint effort produced by SAMHSA and the Centers for Substance Abuse Treatment, it should include some specific considerations. Limitations for the current study should be taken into account when interpreting the results. However, it has been shown to be the best approach to find hidden populations of immigrants particularly undocumented immigrants. Finally, as with any cohort study, there is a possibility for selection bias from attrition. However, the RLIS has an excellent retention rate and selection bias due to loss to follow up is not likely to effect the sample.
- If you identify as Latinx and are in recovery and would like to be part of training healthcare professionals in providing competent care, consider checking out a training to become a peer recovery coach.
- These results are consistent with findings from a comprehensive review of 32 studies focused on acculturation and alcohol use among Latinos [15].
- Multinomial logistic regression models were used to assess odds of alcohol use (former and current versus never (reference)) and alcohol use disorder risk (low and at-risk versus no risk (reference)).
- One study has shown that low-SES Latinos, specifically of Mexican-origin, in the United States may be at disproportionate risk of harmful drinking patterns pervasive in their country of origin [22].
- One of the strengths of the current study is the probability-based sampling which allows for the estimation of prevalence in the target population in the four communities (Bronx, Chicago, Miami, and San Diego).
- Social workers play a pivotal role in recovery as they are often the primary healthcare professional who serves people with SUDs.
Both acculturation and assimilation have been found to impact substance use within the Latinx community, for example in 2008 and 2019 research. Assimilation refers to the process individuals and groups of different backgrounds go through, such as learning a new language, when they adapt to a new, dominant culture of a society. Acculturation refers to culture change and a transfer of values such as religious, social, and health values from one group to another. While the presence of other mental health conditions is not unique to the Latinx community, it may still contribute to high rates of SUDs. In this article, the gender-neutral term Latinx is used to refer to folks who identify as “Hispanic,” “Latino,” “Latina,” or “Latinx” in the United States.
All analyses also account for cluster sampling and the use of stratified sample selection [28]. Institutional Review Boards at all institutions (i.e., University of North Carolina, University of Miami, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Northwestern University, and San Diego State University) reviewed and approved the research. Thus, the data indicates that there are only slight differences in the percentages of individuals of Hispanic origin and non-Hispanic origin who need treatment for substance use disorders, get treatment for substance use disorders, and do not get treatment for substance use disorders.
Train and hire more Latinx social workers
Another common trope of many treatment programs is “you can’t help people if you’re not helping yourself,” an idea that isn’t quite compatible with someone who, for example, may be supporting their family financially. The common suggestion to reduce time with loved ones who use drugs may not be compatible with Latinx people who prioritize tight family and community bonds. Many Western approaches to treating substance use emphasize an individual approach to treatment. Common messaging includes the notion that reducing time with other people who use will reduce the likelihood of use. The 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 12.7% of Hispanic or Latinx people ages 12 and older, or 6.2 million people, had a substance use disorder (SUD).
Self-reported past-month use of alcohol in Hispanic adolescents (15.8%) was generally consistent with the national average of past-month alcohol use for individuals between the ages of 12 and 17 (16%). Social workers play alcohol use disorder diagnosis and treatment a pivotal role in recovery as they are often the primary healthcare professional who serves people with SUDs. Research from 2013 found that 71% to 87% of social workers reported working with people facing the condition.
It’s also important to note that substance use varies across heritage groups and locations. When data is reported, or studies are referenced, terminology from the original data source is used. While the barriers mentioned above may explain some of the disparity, 2007 research suggests a cultural mismatch between clinicians and clients may be at work as well. Some evidence indicates a clash in values, beliefs, and practices between Latinx cultural traditions and how treatment programs are structured. Yet, 94.8% of those ages 12 and older who were classified as needing SUD treatment in a specialty facility like a hospital, mental health center, or an inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation facility didn’t receive such specialty care. While some may believe that substance use disorders (SUDs) impact those living with the condition in similar ways, the truth is that due to racial and ethnic disparities, historically marginalized communities may experience SUDs and access to treatment quite differently.
However, several global studies have shown a clear association between negative alcohol-related health outcomes, such as alcohol-related mortality and socioeconomic deprivation[19–21]. Thus, while at-risk levels may not vary by SES, when considering the negative effects, the relationship with SES is strengthened making low-SES individual much more at risk. One study has shown that low-SES Latinos, specifically of Mexican-origin, in the United States may be at disproportionate risk of harmful drinking patterns pervasive in their country of origin [22]. Given that Hispanics/Latinos are more likely to experience SES disparities in the United States [23], more research is needed.