Still, the scientists acknowledged that their study had limitations and more research is needed. Among men, differences in overall rates of alcohol dependence across national groups were statistically significant (Table 2). The rate of alcohol dependence was higher among Puerto Ricans and Mexican Americans, followed by South/Central Americans and Cuban Americans. However, the only statistically significant differences across age groups were for Mexican Americans and South/Central Americans. The Center also reports that alcohol poisoning causes over 2,200 deaths annually in the United States.
AA and Al-Anon have spread to Latin America (Caetano), and there are Spanish speaking AA and Al-Anon groups throughout the U.S. (Caetano; Hoffman, 1994). A national survey indicated that Latinos/as utilized AA to address problem drinking (Kaskutas et al.). However, according to AA membership surveys, Latinas/os underutilize this mutual help group (Tonigan et al.).
The Pandemic’s Toll: Substance Abuse and Addiction Trends During COVID-19
- Latino generally refers to most anyone born in Latin America or with ancestors from there.
- Whites have greater odds than Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians for either a past-year or lifetime alcohol use disorder.
- Early studies involved small samples (Golding, Brurnam, & Wells, 1990, 1992; Kail, Zayas, & Malgady, 2000; Neff, 1993; Wilcox, Briones, & Suess, 1991).
- By raising awareness and removing barriers to treatment, it’s possible to improve recovery outcomes and reduce the burden of AUD on individuals, families, and societies.
- Comparatively, Alaska Natives report less use of psychiatrists, medical doctors, and psychologists for alcohol problems than Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics (Hesselbrock et al. 2003).
“Familismo” is a term used in Latinx culture that underlines the importance of family, a concept that treatment interventions may benefit from adopting. “We know that lots of people live in rural and suburban communities across the country, where public transportation infrastructure is basically nonexistent. That’s not even including methadone clinics, of which many people do not even have a methadone clinic in their county,” Vakharia says. Here are some ways Vakharia suggests treatment can be overhauled to more information on hispanic alcoholism and rehab rates 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.
Illegal Drug Addiction
Bakersfield is located in California’s Central Valley and has a strong agricultural industry. La Vida Nueva started in 1984 as the Kern County Chicano Commission on Alcoholism and focused on helping Spanish-speaking women. The fastest-growing drug problem in the United States is the misuse of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl. Fentanyl is a powerful and dangerous drug often mixed with other substances, increasing its risk of drug overdose.
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The lack of representation is something that does stop many from seeking help as most believe that no one will be able to relate to what they have gone through. This includes views on how Hispanics see alcohol consumption, how gender roles affect alcohol consumption, and lastly the stigma toward mental health in general. When aiming to prevent substance use disorders, Hispanic emerging adults are a priority population in Southern California. This group represents individuals between the ages of 18 to 25, and are more likely than any other age group to use substances of abuse. The NSDUH also took a closer look at the current opioid crisis, including the use of prescription misuse among Hispanics.
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However, prevalence research needs to pay attention to the heterogeneity of the Hispanic/Latino/a population in the U.S. (NIDA, 2003). The relationships among the variables just mentioned, along with gender and national origin, as predictors of substance use and abuse merit further exploration. A greater understanding of the predictors of substance abuse among this growing segment of the U.S. population will contribute to better treatment and prevention interventions. The association between several indicators of assimilation to U.S. culture (i.e., language, place of birth, generation in the U.S.) deserves particular attention from researchers as the second and third generations of Latinos and Latinas in the U.S. continue to grow. Some changes in the prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence from 1991–1992 to 2001–2002 have been reported for U.S. ethnic groups (Grant et al. 2004).
This study collected comprehensive information on alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders from representative samples of Hispanic national groups in five large metropolitan areas in the United States. Face-to-face interviews were conducted in English or Spanish, thus allowing for the selection of respondents who did not speak English and for the collection of detailed data on a variety of areas. The data under analysis are cross sectional in nature and do not allow for considerations of time order in the analyses. If underreporting is higher in a particular group than in others, this could affect the relationships discussed in this study. The difference in prevalence rates between Hispanic men and women are best explained by the considerable differences in norms regulating alcohol consumption. In most cultures, if not all, these norms are more liberal when directed at men than when directed at women.
Latino Americans And Alcohol Addiction Treatment
The participants in the study ranged in age from 14 to their early 20s, but the researchers found that peak drinking occurred between the ages of 18 and 20. Overdose is a leading cause of death among those with substance use disorders, particularly with opioid drugs. The toll on physical and mental health can be devastating, leading to a reduced quality of life and, in many cases, premature death. Among those with a past-year SUD, about one in six people, which is around 7.5 million individuals, had both an alcohol and a drug abuse disorder at the same time. This dual struggle makes it even harder for people to find the right help and effectively overcome their issues. Outpatient drug rehab centers usually provide ongoing medication maintenance services to those recovering from prescription drug abuse.
Arciniega, Arroyo, Miller, and Tonigan (1996) found few differences in alcohol use patterns between Latinos and European American men in alcohol treatment. Latinas, however, reported lower alcohol consumption, fewer symptoms, and less adverse alcohol-related consequences than Latinos and European American men and women. However, a recent analysis of a large national database of individuals in various types of substance abuse treatment programs indicated that Latinas reported more severe medical, psychological and employment problems than Latinos. Additionally, there were no significant differences in reports of alcohol, cannabis, and heroin use between men and women in the 30 days prior to seeking treatment and women reported more days of cocaine use than men during this time period.
- Reducing food insecurity, securing adequate housing, and offering employment training may help improve treatment outcomes.
- Hispanic is linked more to people of Spanish-speaking origins or from former colonies of Spain.
- This may be partly due to U.S. society being more individualistic and having more accessible substances.
- Pinpointing when individuals typically begin substance use underscores the need for early intervention strategies.
- Many people live with anxiety, fear, or addiction without realizing how much it’s affecting their daily lives.
- Sunnyside is a private, anonymous way to start improving your relationship with alcohol.
In addition to the increased risk of mortality, chronic alcohol abuse also contributes to rates of liver cirrhosis, digestive disorders and various cancers. Learn about how consumption patterns and demographic information surrounding alcohol abuse might be able to give you a look at how it’s affecting your community, family and friends. Let’s take a closer look at alcohol abuse trends, related statistics and the broader effects on public health.
Additionally, data from the 2007 NSDUH (SAMHSA 2008a) suggest a greater unmet need for alcohol treatment for some ethnic groups. Schmidt et al. (2007) also reported less specialty alcohol or drug program use for Hispanics than Whites, whereas Blacks were less likely to use a private physician for alcohol problems and to attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Further, and more alarming, Blacks and Hispanics with higher severity alcohol problems were less likely to use any treatment services compared with Whites who have similar severity of alcohol problems. Utilization rates for alcohol treatment may reflect underlying ethnic group differences in the economic and logistic resources that affect treatment use. Zemore et al. (2009) showed greater barriers to treatment use for Spanish-speaking (versus English-speaking) Hispanics.
Achieving long-term abstinence from drug and alcohol addiction requires you to make a series of changes that support a sober, healthy lifestyle. Therapies included in an outpatient drug rehab program are the same as those included in residential programs, but are often far less intensive. Individual and group therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dual diagnosis therapy, family therapy, 12-step support groups, and recreational therapy are just some therapies you or your loved one may receive in an outpatient drug rehab program. Patterns of substance abuse remain deeply rooted in society’s inequalities, cultural norms, and healthcare structures. By fortifying community resources and ensuring that every individual has a pathway to professional help, we can gradually tip the scales toward long-term recovery and healthier, more resilient communities. Research shows that addiction is treatable and recovery is possible – though success rates hinge on multiple factors, including the substance, treatment model, and individual support systems.