Introduction: Risk Factors for SUD in Latinos
Miguel Pinedo, Sarah Zemore, and Shannon Rogers recruited participants with SUD among the White, Black and Latino groups. Their research showed, that Latinos are reluctant to undergo SUD treatment, unlike the Whites and Blacks. Breakdown of reasons revealed in research:
- Cultural barriers: Latinos think, that providers are unfamiliar to their culture and cannot relate to them. They think, that treatment is not culturally tailored and ignore it, which leads to spread of SUD cases. In addition, some Latinos said, that talking about personal problems is “not Hispanic”;
- Disbelief in efficacy: Latinos did not believe in efficacy of treatment, because “providers never experienced alcohol or drug problem”;
- Disagreement with recovery goals: this is more relatable to alcohol abuse. Latinos claimed, that they don’t want be treated, because the treatment will result in becoming abstinent. In other words, they wanted to drink less, not to stop drinking
- Disbelief in necessity of treatment: Latinos showed an interesting mindset — if they considered themselves “functional” (being able to work or have a family life), they avoided treatment and claimed to be healthy.
- Personal stigmatization: this is simple, Latinos were afraid, that asking for treatment will prove that they are “losers” or show their “weakness” to people around them.
- Lack of social support: this is a very important risk factor; Latinos from Pinedo’s research expressed concerns, that seeking for therapy will stain their family legacy. One participant even said, that his family would likely gossip about him “being an alcoholic”, rather than helping him. So, they are basically left on their own, nobody helps them to combat addictions.
Resilience Factors: A Terrifying Situation
Based on the information from the previous section, it can be argued, that Latino patients with SUD belong to the most vulnerable group. Quite often they are left alone against their addiction.
Even their relatives do not support them; therefore, Latino patients with SUD tend to lack even the most basic resilience factor such as family support.
Resilience factors reduce the likelihood of negative outcomes. For example, a caring parent can help their child to overcome addiction or convince them to undergo treatment. Latinos often lack even the most basic resilience factors.
Addiction Treatment Services in New Jersey
The Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) establishes the policy for the SUD treatment in the State of New Jersey.
DMHAS sanctions a full continuum of care by independent substance abuse treatment provider agencies.
Treatment services in New Jersey range from detoxification services and outpatient care, to short- and long-term residential treatment.
On State of New Jersey Department’s of Human Services website, one can get an access to comprehensive information regarding addiction treatment services. You can add, that the state authorities should focus on positive propaganda of SUD treatment among the vulnerable groups, such as Latinos.
Conclusions
- Latinos represent one of the most vulnerable groups in regard to SUD;
- Latinos tend to neglect SUD treatment because they are exposed to multiple risk factors associated with their cultural identity;
- State of New Jersey offers an access to SUD treatment; however, the treatment itself should be advertised among the vulnerable groups of population, such as Latinos.
References
Pinedo, M., Zemore, S., & Rogers, S. (2018). Understanding barriers to specialty substance abuse treatment among Latinos. Journal Of Substance Abuse Treatment, 94, 1-8. Web.
State of New Jersey Department of Human Services. (n.d.). Addiction Treatment Services. Web.