Latino/a Culture and Substance Abuse
This article provides descriptions of the relevant research that is
related to Latino/a use and abuse of alcohol and other substances. Discussions
of treatment interventions, prevention, clinical implications and directions
for future research are included.
What We Know
It
is unclear how Latino/Hispanic substance abuse compares to that of other
cultures, but several findings indicate that Hispanics have the highest rate of
substance abuse in the United States. This rate of abuse is thought to be
increasing, especially among Hispanic adolescent populations. An interesting
finding indicates that U.S. - born Hispanics report higher rates of
experimental drug use, abuse and dependence that immigrants do. It was also
found that Hispanics born in the United States were likely to have more
behavioral disorders, mental illness concerns and problems with gambling than
Latino/Hispanic immigrants. This suggests that there is something unhealthy
about acculturation into the US culture. However, it is unclear what the causal
factor is: is substance use caused by the stress that accompanies
acculturation, or is substance use a product of Hispanic acceptance of US
norms?Another concern is that substance abuse begins early, with the highest prevalence rates among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25. Alcohol, inhalants and marijuana were the most abused substances in the Latino adolescent population. Lifetime alcohol use rates have been shown to decrease among ethnic groups, but this trend is not apparent in the Latino population. Intervention must begin early and should focus on the cluster of problems that comes with substance abuse, including risky behavior, delinquency and academic failure.
Guidelines for Intervention and
Treatment
All
helping professionals are encouraged to explore their attitudes and beliefs
about culture and ethnicity. As humans, we are shaped by our cultural beliefs,
and some of these can detrimentally influence our perceptions and interactions
with individuals who are ethnically and racially different from ourselves. Every
professional must assess their possible biases and consider culturally
appropriate responses to their clients. They are encouraged to recognize the
importance of multicultural sensitivity and how a history of oppression and
diversity may affect potential ethnically diverse clients.
Clinical Implications
There
is a need to increase the amount of ethnic minority helping professionals to
meet the needs of the substantial amounts of ethnic minorities suffering from
substance abuse and addiction. If this is not possible, White helping
professionals must enhance their ability to provide competent services to
ethnic minorities with a focus on cultural beliefs and values. One suggestion
is to focus on a certain ethnicity and see what type of treatment is best for
them. For the Latino population, it has been found that brief strategic family
therapy is helpful in treating drug abuse. This therapy draws on the cultural
importance of the family structure. Also, strategies for intervention have been
developed to engage the therapist in the family structure by joining the family
and supporting them. Helping practitioners must be able to advocate for their
clients and give them the skills, knowledge and attitudes to help them cope
with stress and difficulties.
Research Recommendations
Genetic
research is needed to help understand racial differences and biological factors
related to drug abuse and addiction. There are genetic differences in how
alcohol is metabolized by the body. Also, Hispanic men have a different biological
response to alcohol and Hispanic men in the US have nearly twice the mortality
rate for alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver. Additional research must be
completed to examine racial differences with regard to medication. Supplementary
recommendations focus on promotion of research organizations at
minority-serving institutions.
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