Cultural Issues in Substance Abuse Treatment

Description:  

This study guide presents some tools to help providers of health services, primary care givers, medical and other allied health students in the substance abuse treatment area to understand the cultural, social, political, and economic affecting substance abuse among Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans/ Pacific Islanders, and American Indians/Alaska Natives.  These four racial and ethnic groups not only make up about a quarter of the total population in the United States, but also constitute the fastest growing segments of the population.  As members of these groups continue to grow, providers face the task of providing substance treatment to members of these groups more frequently than ever.  Thus, the need to understand the sociocultural factors affecting substance abuse patterns among members of racial and ethic groups is crucial for the provision of adequate treatment.  This discussion attempts to shed light on some of those issues.

Objectives:  

1. Participants will be able to define cultural competency.

2. Participants will be able to discuss sociocultural factors affecting substance abuse and substance abuse problems across four racial and ethnic groups.

3. Participants will be able to describe two universal cultural themes. 

4. Participants will be able to discuss barriers to treatment for racial and ethnic groups.

5. Participants will be able to discuss help-seeking and access to care issues.

CE Credits:  10

Ce Broker #: 10-1182137

Purpose: The intent of this monograph is to provide a tool to help providers and other substance abuse treatment professionals gain a greater understanding of the cultural, social, political, and economic forces affecting substance abuse treatment among the targeted populations.  We hope this new knowledge will foster a better understanding of the unique dynamics these groups face in the already difficult substance abuse treatment continuum.

Methods:  Pre Test, Study Guide, Posttest, Evaluation, Q and A by email

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